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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
2.5-3/5
TW: self-harm, eating disorders, rape, self-hate
I wanted to like this book so much. But upon thinking further about it, I just can't give it a higher rating. This book touches upon so many important issues and none of them are really addressed properly.
Another issue I had was that her brother was kicked out of school for date-raping a fellow classmate. Her parents want to keep the "ordeal," as they called it, under wraps and pretend like it didn't happen. They don't speak about it and they go about their lives like everything is normal. There was no conversation about what happened nor do they seem to change their attitude toward Byron, but still act like he is their perfect son.
Then there was the self-hatred and how it was relayed in her relationship with Froggy. She hated herself so much she thought that she had to hide her feelings for him and only hook up with him in private. Or, as she states in her Fat Girl Code of Conduct, "give the milk away for free." She hated her body but she felt like she couldn't expect a guy to like her so she should accept what she could get.
Most of the messages in this book are negative and harmful, especially for the age-group that it is aimed for. If there was more of a conversation around it in the book, I would feel better about rating it higher. I wanted to like it, and I liked that toward the end,
TW: self-harm, eating disorders, rape, self-hate
I wanted to like this book so much. But upon thinking further about it, I just can't give it a higher rating. This book touches upon so many important issues and none of them are really addressed properly.
Spoiler
Virginia thinks she was brought up in the wrong family because they're ultra-thin and she's not. After her mom took her to a doctor for her weight, she started on a crash diet and cut out images of dieters and "thinspiration" to hang on the fridge. Instead of being concerned about this, her parents praised her efforts. Her dad would make comments about their food choices or their weight, telling them they could stand to lose "20 or 30 pounds." The message that skinny is beautiful is reinforced to Virginia by her family and at school. She overheard students say they'd rather kill themselves than look like her. As a result of her hating her body, she starts to hurt herself. She burns her finger on a candle, she pinches her skin so much she bruises all over her body, and she kicks a wall so hard she breaks a toe. One of the classmates who Virginia overheard talking about her then is heard puking and Virginia presumes she has bulemia. The ones who actually talk to Virginia about being healthy and loving her body are her doctor and a trusted teacher.Another issue I had was that her brother was kicked out of school for date-raping a fellow classmate. Her parents want to keep the "ordeal," as they called it, under wraps and pretend like it didn't happen. They don't speak about it and they go about their lives like everything is normal. There was no conversation about what happened nor do they seem to change their attitude toward Byron, but still act like he is their perfect son.
Then there was the self-hatred and how it was relayed in her relationship with Froggy. She hated herself so much she thought that she had to hide her feelings for him and only hook up with him in private. Or, as she states in her Fat Girl Code of Conduct, "give the milk away for free." She hated her body but she felt like she couldn't expect a guy to like her so she should accept what she could get.
Most of the messages in this book are negative and harmful, especially for the age-group that it is aimed for. If there was more of a conversation around it in the book, I would feel better about rating it higher. I wanted to like it, and I liked that toward the end,
Spoiler
Virginia was doing things that she wanted to do for herself, like dying her hair and wearing clothes she picked out and piercing her eyebrow because that's what she wanted, and kissing boys in public. At the same time, I'm not sure how much of her change was authentic. All of her self-loathing, self-hatred, etc. is internal and she still needs to work on that, not just make external changes.
Very heartfelt insight into a teenage girls mind. Very lovely.
Virginia Shreves is a chubby, blond 15-year-old who feels completely out of place in her active, slim, and brown-haired family. Virginia feels like an outsider, both at home and at school. She is a talented writer and especially enjoys creating lists to help her make sense of her life. when it comes to standing up to her overachieving parents or her perfect older siblings, however, she often feels powerless and overlooked.
Virginia struggles with her weight and lives by the "fat girl code of conduct." In keeping with those rules, she makes out with her not quite a boyfriend, but never speaks to him in public. She'll let him feel around under her shirt, but she won't let him look. At her mother's urging, Virginia loses a few pounds on a near-starvation diet. When her brother is suspended from college for date rape, Virginia drowns her anger and disappointment in junk food and eats her way back into her "fat pants."
While Virginia's path to empowerment is not completely believable (the change from shy wallflower to kick-ass chick happens quickly), I cheered for her anyway. I especially loved that her newfound confidence has nothing to do with her weight.
A wonderful read for teens or anyone who has ever been one!
Virginia struggles with her weight and lives by the "fat girl code of conduct." In keeping with those rules, she makes out with her not quite a boyfriend, but never speaks to him in public. She'll let him feel around under her shirt, but she won't let him look. At her mother's urging, Virginia loses a few pounds on a near-starvation diet. When her brother is suspended from college for date rape, Virginia drowns her anger and disappointment in junk food and eats her way back into her "fat pants."
While Virginia's path to empowerment is not completely believable (the change from shy wallflower to kick-ass chick happens quickly), I cheered for her anyway. I especially loved that her newfound confidence has nothing to do with her weight.
A wonderful read for teens or anyone who has ever been one!
It took me a minute to actually get into this book but once I did I was pretty satisfied. The main character goes through some issues that high schoolers may be going through as well.
Overall verdict: this felt like a story that would work well as a movie, but it lacked depth for a novel. Paper-thin characterizations of most of the supporting cast beyond best friend and a predictable ending with heroine learning to embrace herself for who she is and not what other people want her to be. Not a bad message, just not an entirely new one.
I liked it. It was mediocre writing and a predictable plot, but I admired the fat representation here.
A book I wish I had read as a teenager, I was around the same age the Virginia is when this was released and I could’ve used a sassy plus sized role model. This book doesn’t read as dated, which is awesome considering it’s 16 years old. We all need more Virginia’s.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm not too sure about Froggy Welsh the Fourth - he really overplays the band geek stereotype. Virginia had voice but debatable personality; I thought she was trying too hard to be a rebel.
4.5 stars.
i love this book! it’s really light and enjoyable.
I finished this in one seating. Even though the plot is predictable, but really I love how the author write this story.
There is a lot of lesson that can be learned from this.
I know the main character sounds pathetic, but hey, she is 15 years old! It’s really normal for teenager to act up & feel that way.
Looking forward for the sequel of this book! I just ordered it, can’t wait it to arrive. Plus I really love Virginia’s sister. Even though there is not much scenes involving her, but I just love her character!
i love this book! it’s really light and enjoyable.
I finished this in one seating. Even though the plot is predictable, but really I love how the author write this story.
There is a lot of lesson that can be learned from this.
I know the main character sounds pathetic, but hey, she is 15 years old! It’s really normal for teenager to act up & feel that way.
Looking forward for the sequel of this book! I just ordered it, can’t wait it to arrive. Plus I really love Virginia’s sister. Even though there is not much scenes involving her, but I just love her character!