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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Actual Rating: 3.5
This book does a great job of demonstrating the subtle (and not so subtle) ways women's bodies are commodified and policed. It also demonstrates the harmful impact that come from these consistent messages about needing to look a certain way (e.g., crash dieting, eating disorders, self-loathing). Though I don't think it's necessary to comment on other body types in order to love or raise up your own, I overall enjoyed Virginia's growth into a more assertive and confident person.
Byron's story line seemed to abruptly change, but I suppose that's exactly how the events would have felt for the characters. I do wish his parents would have been more vocal about. However, this incident and lack of addressing it are partially what spurs Virginia's personal growth.
This book does a great job of demonstrating the subtle (and not so subtle) ways women's bodies are commodified and policed. It also demonstrates the harmful impact that come from these consistent messages about needing to look a certain way (e.g., crash dieting, eating disorders, self-loathing). Though I don't think it's necessary to comment on other body types in order to love or raise up your own, I overall enjoyed Virginia's growth into a more assertive and confident person.
Byron's story line seemed to abruptly change, but I suppose that's exactly how the events would have felt for the characters. I do wish his parents would have been more vocal about
Spoiler
him raping a fellow student, especially because he showed little remorse except for how it impacted his life
Verdict: shouldn't be banned at the middle school level. References to sex, alcohol, and date rape are mild enough that, to me, they don't overshadow the importance of the overall message of the book, that of healthy living and body image. Would I let my own kids read it when they're 12 or 13? Resoundingly yes.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Virginia, a high school sophomore in a very privileged New York City private school, is fat. More than that, she goes through life feeling somewhat numb as a way of protecting herself -- not very effectively -- from the slights, insults and insecurities of life. Is she defined by her weight and body image? By her Mother's wishes and expectations? How else might she define herself?
This coming of age story is told with humor and honesty. While I think that sometimes Virginia arrives at her new choices very quickly, I also feel her issues, and choices have the ring of truth. I loved this story. The humor, Virginia's personal journey... It all worked for me.
This coming of age story is told with humor and honesty. While I think that sometimes Virginia arrives at her new choices very quickly, I also feel her issues, and choices have the ring of truth. I loved this story. The humor, Virginia's personal journey... It all worked for me.
This overweight young girl deals with many typical high school issues. Weight, of course, sexually maturing feelings and bodies, parents, siblings, friends, etc. As the book progresses, she learns how to handle these things in a mature way. I liked this book way more than I thought I would.
Tbh shocked this middle school classic has withstood the test of time
This coming of age classic is timeless. While I know that the author recently updated the novel to bring it closer to today's tech standards, this book tackles some hard issues in the best of ways. A must read. I was surprised that I didn't read it when it was originally published while I was in high school myself. I am looking forward to the sequel.
Great title. The voice did not have much dimension, perhaps because Virginia didn't have a real physical presence beyond relating the plot--unfortunate given the topic. Lots of cliches. It could be inspiring if it was not so familiar and expected. I wanted to like this one.
Overweight issues cum female empowerment ala Ani DiFranco and I actually enjoyed it? Shh, don't tell anyone!
*
Fat Girl Code of Conduct says:
1. All sexual activity must be kept a secrect.
2. Never discuss your weight with the boy you’re seeing.
3. Go further than all the skinny girls.
4. Never push for a relationship.
Virginia Shreves plays by the rules. Mondays after school she makes out with Froggy Welsh the 4th in the privacy of her bedroom, but never lets it be known at school. She knows that fat girls are like mopeds: fine to ride as long as your friends never find out.
Virginia comes from a seemingly perfect family and goes to Brewster High, a seemingly perfect school. But her WASPy psychologist mom is woefully out of touch with her children, and her dad is always gone on business trips. Lately, her older brother, Byron, is distant, and her older sister Anais has joined the Peace Corps and is away in Burkina Faso. To make matters worse, her best friend Shannon just moved to Walla Walla Washington, hometown of the Walla Walla Onion.
Virginia’s on a diet and her parents take her to Dr. Love, a specialist in adolescent nutrition. Her mom forces her to take French, though she would much rather learn to tell people off in Chinese. One day she overhears skinny Brie in the bathroom one day say that if she were as fat as Virginia she’d kill herself. Virginia wonders if she should go the route of her namesake, Virginia Woolf, and fill her pockets with rocks and drown herself in a river.
But then a phone call shakes up the Shreve image of family perfection, Virginia decides she’s sick of downing Poland Spring and eating lettuce, and decides to take her life into her own hands. Suddenly, anything is possible.
*
Fat Girl Code of Conduct says:
1. All sexual activity must be kept a secrect.
2. Never discuss your weight with the boy you’re seeing.
3. Go further than all the skinny girls.
4. Never push for a relationship.
Virginia Shreves plays by the rules. Mondays after school she makes out with Froggy Welsh the 4th in the privacy of her bedroom, but never lets it be known at school. She knows that fat girls are like mopeds: fine to ride as long as your friends never find out.
Virginia comes from a seemingly perfect family and goes to Brewster High, a seemingly perfect school. But her WASPy psychologist mom is woefully out of touch with her children, and her dad is always gone on business trips. Lately, her older brother, Byron, is distant, and her older sister Anais has joined the Peace Corps and is away in Burkina Faso. To make matters worse, her best friend Shannon just moved to Walla Walla Washington, hometown of the Walla Walla Onion.
Virginia’s on a diet and her parents take her to Dr. Love, a specialist in adolescent nutrition. Her mom forces her to take French, though she would much rather learn to tell people off in Chinese. One day she overhears skinny Brie in the bathroom one day say that if she were as fat as Virginia she’d kill herself. Virginia wonders if she should go the route of her namesake, Virginia Woolf, and fill her pockets with rocks and drown herself in a river.
But then a phone call shakes up the Shreve image of family perfection, Virginia decides she’s sick of downing Poland Spring and eating lettuce, and decides to take her life into her own hands. Suddenly, anything is possible.