Scan barcode
foxfirefly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Sexism, Abortion, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Infertility, Excrement, Sexual violence, Body shaming, and Gore
Minor: Infidelity, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Rape, Drug use, Miscarriage, Bullying, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
venti's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
interesting… i don’t like reading about animal cruelty so that somewhat tainted the experience for me, but whatever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Abortion, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness
teachreadrepeat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Disclaimer: I had to read this as part of my school district's Book Reconsideration Committee because a teacher filed a complaint on the book for its mature content. We have not yet met to determine if the book will stay in our high school library catalog.
Review: I give What Girls Are Made Of a 3 star rating. Minor spoilers below, so proceed with caution.
Nina is a rich but neglected 16-year-old girl. At 14, her mother told her there was no such thing as unconditional love and that meant she could stop loving her daughter whenever she wanted. Nina's mother also sets up this unhealthy narrative for Nina about the conditions that come along with love. Now, at 16, she has her first boyfriend, Seth, and she is extremely codependent in that relationship.
There are some scenes with sexual content, but they are not extremely explicit (they're things that teenagers are DEFINITELY doing behind closed doors) and they aren't gratuitous. The scenes help highlight the toxicity of their relationship and Nina's view of sex being one of Seth's "conditions." They break up at one point and Nina is devastated, especially when she finds out later that she is pregnant.
This book explores birth control and abortion (during first trimester), which may be concerning to some parents but, imo, these are things that teenagers need to know and should not be afraid to discuss with trusted adults. The themes explored in this book are valuable and, even though Nina is a mean girl in parts of this book, she shows growth and reflects on her past behavior.
Overall, I thought the book had redeeming qualities beyond the mature content. The author's note at the end of the book really shines a light on the mental health of young women and the pressures they face from all areas of life. It was also a National Book Award Finalist the year it came out, due to its unyielding examination of the female psyche. I would have no problem recommending this to a student who I thought could learn from it!
-- I gave the 3.5 rating because the timeline was confusing to follow as it hops back and forth between present-day and a trip to Italy with get mother 2 years prior. That may have been due to listening to the audiobook target than reading, but I don't think the dual timelines elevated the writing.
Review: I give What Girls Are Made Of a 3 star rating. Minor spoilers below, so proceed with caution.
Nina is a rich but neglected 16-year-old girl. At 14, her mother told her there was no such thing as unconditional love and that meant she could stop loving her daughter whenever she wanted. Nina's mother also sets up this unhealthy narrative for Nina about the conditions that come along with love. Now, at 16, she has her first boyfriend, Seth, and she is extremely codependent in that relationship.
There are some scenes with sexual content, but they are not extremely explicit (they're things that teenagers are DEFINITELY doing behind closed doors) and they aren't gratuitous. The scenes help highlight the toxicity of their relationship and Nina's view of sex being one of Seth's "conditions." They break up at one point and Nina is devastated, especially when she finds out later that she is pregnant.
This book explores birth control and abortion (during first trimester), which may be concerning to some parents but, imo, these are things that teenagers need to know and should not be afraid to discuss with trusted adults. The themes explored in this book are valuable and, even though Nina is a mean girl in parts of this book, she shows growth and reflects on her past behavior.
Overall, I thought the book had redeeming qualities beyond the mature content. The author's note at the end of the book really shines a light on the mental health of young women and the pressures they face from all areas of life. It was also a National Book Award Finalist the year it came out, due to its unyielding examination of the female psyche. I would have no problem recommending this to a student who I thought could learn from it!
-- I gave the 3.5 rating because the timeline was confusing to follow as it hops back and forth between present-day and a trip to Italy with get mother 2 years prior. That may have been due to listening to the audiobook target than reading, but I don't think the dual timelines elevated the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Excrement
More...