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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Carolyn Mackler never disappoints with her heartfelt YA books. This is a book that anyone could read many times and never tire of it. The main character transforms through the novel from a self conscious and withdrawn wallflower to someone who can accept herself and others, flaws and all. She grows to love and embrace her own sense of individuality (as seen when she gets her piercing) and is a more beautiful person because of it, inside and out. It's a book that makes the reader feel good, and it really cheered me up by the end.
This was required reading and at the beginning, I was annoyed with Virginia but I was able to identify with her toward the middle of it and I really enjoyed it :)
This book follows the story of Virginia who feels like an outsider in her perfect slim family due to her plus size body and instead of teaching her to love herself as she is they push her into unhealthy dieting. On top of this her world is turned upside down when her older brother Bryon, who she idolises, is accused of date rape. She also has to deal with this on her own as her best friend is spending the school year in a different state.
I really loved Virginia as a character and watching her grow throughout the novel. Her of learning to love yourself and your body is one I feel we need more of in YA and I really wish I had this book when I was younger.
Virginia's parents really annoyed me throughout this book and no wonder she has such low self esteem when her father who comments all the time that skinny is better and a mother who encourages unhealthy eating habits. I actually liked the relationship she had with her brother as it shows just how unhealthy it is to idolise someone the way she idolises him. I also liked her sister and would have liked to have seen more of her.
I wasn't a fan of the romance in this book, I didn't feel it and feel that Virginia story arc didn't need to include a guy liking her for her to start loving herself.
Overall, this is a great, fast-paced novel that I really enjoyed and gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
Trigger Warnings - off the page rape, fatphobia, unhealthy eating habits, self harm.
I really loved Virginia as a character and watching her grow throughout the novel. Her of learning to love yourself and your body is one I feel we need more of in YA and I really wish I had this book when I was younger.
Virginia's parents really annoyed me throughout this book and no wonder she has such low self esteem when her father who comments all the time that skinny is better and a mother who encourages unhealthy eating habits. I actually liked the relationship she had with her brother as it shows just how unhealthy it is to idolise someone the way she idolises him. I also liked her sister and would have liked to have seen more of her.
I wasn't a fan of the romance in this book, I didn't feel it and feel that Virginia story arc didn't need to include a guy liking her for her to start loving herself.
Overall, this is a great, fast-paced novel that I really enjoyed and gave it 4 out of 5 stars.
Trigger Warnings - off the page rape, fatphobia, unhealthy eating habits, self harm.
I really liked this YA book, precisely because it put into words so many of my own thoughts about being overweight and struggling with food addiction as a teenager. Most of the events Virginia experienced as related to her weight I, in some form or another; have dealt with as well. The end was a little too neatly wound up for my tastes, but still I think it's an important read for any girl with body issues... which is most everyone, no?
Cute junior adult novel. While reading the book I felt like I was back in Middle School.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
This is very much reflective of the time it was written in, though a lot of the issues of weight and body image a lot of teen girls still struggle with. I appreciated that Virgina learns confidence throughout the book, allowing herself to speak up about what she wants. It will for sure make for interesting conversation at book club this week!
Also, I ended up listening to the audiobook and I think they changed some of the pop culture references? Because they mentioned La La Land at one point, and I was like wait...didn't this come out way before that? And yes, I was correct.
Also, I ended up listening to the audiobook and I think they changed some of the pop culture references? Because they mentioned La La Land at one point, and I was like wait...didn't this come out way before that? And yes, I was correct.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit
Mackler writes with a very pure and raw voice. Her main character, Virginia lives in a family of picture-perfect high-achieving siblings and parents. However, Virginia does not fit in as she is not thin and beautiful. Her whole wide seems to be crashing down when her older brother (whom she idolizes) commits date rape while in college and is sent home. (The young lady gets through the trauma by listening to "Gratitude" by Ani di Franco. I love that her music is even mentioned because I was obsessed with her.) Virginia struggles with the loss of her best friend who has left to live in Washington and her new crush, Froggy whom she fears is embarrassed to be seen in public with her. I could relate to this novel on the fact that I have struggled with my weight my whole life. Unlike Virginia, I did not binge-eat or "eat my feelings" (as she calls it). It was nice to read a book where the heroine resembles the normal teenage girl. This novel also touches upon some very serious issues for teens and young adults.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Find my full review (with some spoiler information) at my teen book review