Character Overview
Flipped unfolds through a dual first-person narrative that lets readers witness the same moments from two vantage points, illuminating how perception shapes truth. Its cast navigates Coming of Age and Personal Growth, Perception vs. Reality, and Family Influence and Dynamics, as the Bakers and the Loskis reveal competing values and hidden depths. The result is a warm, funny, and sometimes painful portrait of how people—and feelings—change.
Main Characters
Julianna "Juli" Baker
Juli Baker is an irrepressible, idealistic girl whose fierce convictions and open heart make her both unstoppable and vulnerable. For years she adores Bryce Loski, but key events—like the fight to save the sycamore tree (Chapter 3-4 Summary) and the truth about the backyard eggs (Chapter 5-6 Summary)—push her to look beyond surface charm. Guided by her father Robert Baker’s belief that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, she begins to evaluate people by their integrity and substance rather than appearances. Her bond with Chet Duncan, who recognizes her “iridescent” spirit, affirms her worth and sharpens her insight. By the end, Juli’s crush gives way to discernment, and her empathy expands to include the flaws and strengths of Bryce, her family, and herself.
Bryce Loski
Bryce Loski begins as a conflict-averse boy who cares too much about fitting in and too little about what’s right. Shaped by his father Rick’s snobbery and by peer pressure from Garrett, he hides from hard truths—dodging Juli, throwing away her eggs, and trying to manage his image instead of his conscience. Chet’s quiet mentorship, coupled with personal discomfort over his own choices, forces Bryce to see Juli—and himself—more clearly; the dinner-party fallout and the confrontation about Juli’s uncle (Chapter 7-8 Summary) become crucial turning points. As his view “flips,” he rejects the shallow standards he inherited and begins to pursue real character. By the story’s close, he is no finished hero, but he is finally moving toward honesty, courage, and integrity.
Supporting Characters
Chet Duncan
Chet Duncan is Bryce’s grandfather and the novel’s moral center, a gentle observer who notices what others overlook. He befriends Juli, seeing in her the same luminous quality he cherished in his late wife, and subtly challenges Bryce to defy Rick’s prejudices. Though he doesn’t change much himself, his acts of kindness—like helping the Bakers with their yard—spark Bryce’s growth and reframe the Loski–Baker divide.
Rick Loski
Rick Loski is Bryce’s father and the story’s embodiment of shallow judgment. Obsessed with appearances and status, he mocks the Bakers and reveals his worst self during the dinner party (Chapter 11-12 Summary), exposing his cruelty toward Juli’s uncle. Static and uncompromising, he becomes the standard Bryce must reject to grow up.
Robert Baker
Robert Baker is Juli’s kind, artistic father whose steady principles anchor the Baker household. He teaches Juli to search for the “whole picture,” a lens that reshapes how she sees Bryce, her family, and herself. His sacrifices for his brother, David, quietly counter Rick’s materialism and model the compassion at the heart of the Bakers’ values.
Garrett Anderson
Garrett Anderson is Bryce’s best friend and a walking advertisement for peer pressure at its worst. He pushes Bryce toward shallow choices—from “dating” schemes to mocking Juli’s uncle—and becomes a foil for Bryce’s developing conscience. When Bryce finally recoils from Garrett’s cruelty (Chapter 13-14 Summary), it marks a decisive step away from immaturity.
Shelly Stalls
Shelly Stalls is a popular classmate who thrives on drama and status. Used by Bryce to keep Juli at bay in fifth grade, she later reappears in the “Basket Boy” spectacle, highlighting the social games Juli rejects (Chapter 1-2 Summary). Her vanity and competitiveness underscore the novel’s critique of superficiality.
Minor Characters
- Patsy Loski: Bryce’s mother, kinder and more empathetic than her husband, whose perspective shifts after the disastrous dinner, aligning her more with Trina Baker’s warmth.
- Lynetta Loski: Bryce’s sardonic older sister who sees through Rick’s hypocrisy and unexpectedly defends the Bakers, puncturing the Loski façade.
- Trina Baker: Juli’s practical, loving mother, worn by financial strain yet generous; she bridges appearances and substance with quiet dignity.
- Matt and Mike Baker: Juli’s musician twin brothers who seem mischievous but prove thoughtful and capable, dismantling Rick’s stereotypes at the dinner.
- Uncle David: Juli’s developmentally disabled uncle whose care explains the Bakers’ sacrifices; his presence exposes the Loskis’ (and Garrett’s) biases (Chapter 9-10 Summary).
Character Relationships & Dynamics
At the heart of the novel is the contrast between the Loskis’ fixation on image and the Bakers’ emphasis on integrity and care. Rick’s scorn sets a tone of quiet dysfunction, pressuring Bryce to conform, while Patsy and Lynetta complicate the Loski household with empathy and dissent. Across the street, Robert and Trina foster a loving, if financially strained, home in which sacrifice for Uncle David is a given and appearances come second.
Juli and Bryce’s bond evolves through a mirrored “flip”: her early infatuation fades as she recognizes Bryce’s evasiveness, just as his indifference dissolves into admiration for her courage and depth. Chet becomes their bridge, affirming Juli’s worth and urging Bryce to see with his own eyes, while Garrett pulls Bryce the other way, mocking what he doesn’t understand. The dinner party crystallizes these tensions—Rick’s prejudice collides with the Bakers’ quiet strength, prompting Patsy and Bryce to re-evaluate their loyalties.
By the end, allegiances realign. Bryce steps away from Rick and Garrett’s influence and toward Chet’s example and Juli’s values; Juli, cautious after disappointment, challenges Bryce to earn her trust through action, not charm. The two families remain opposites in many ways, but the possibility of understanding—grounded in compassion and honesty—finally comes into view.