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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I would give this 4.5 stars if I could. It wasn't quite amazing/perfect but I really enjoyed it. The main character was immediately likable and had an original voice, extremely funny yet vulnerable. I appreciated that she showed a ton of personal growth even while things weren't perfect at the end. And Mackler's assessment of a dysfunctional family and the horrors of high school were spot on. Read for Banned Books Week.
Course evaluation: Mackler addresses controversial topics (weight, self-mutilation, bullying, rape, eating disorders, teen sexuality) in honest and realistic ways. Virginia feels like a real teenager – smart and interested in the world, perplexed by the unfairness of school popularity, vulnerable and self-loathing due to her perceived imperfections. Teen readers will appreciate her self-deprecating humor and will relate to the horrors of not fitting in. Mackler paints a realistic backdrop and doesn’t try to solve every problem in the novel; instead we see Virginia’s coming-of-age and small actions that represent large emotional changes.
Course evaluation: Mackler addresses controversial topics (weight, self-mutilation, bullying, rape, eating disorders, teen sexuality) in honest and realistic ways. Virginia feels like a real teenager – smart and interested in the world, perplexed by the unfairness of school popularity, vulnerable and self-loathing due to her perceived imperfections. Teen readers will appreciate her self-deprecating humor and will relate to the horrors of not fitting in. Mackler paints a realistic backdrop and doesn’t try to solve every problem in the novel; instead we see Virginia’s coming-of-age and small actions that represent large emotional changes.
I remember seeing this book at the library when I was a teenager and thinking that I would never read it. In grad school, everyone was talking about how wonderful this book was. So, I decided to read it. I devoured this book. Read the entire thing in 24 hours. Yes, I read fast, but it was that amazing. The story was well-written and believable.I recommend it. It has a realistic view on high school sex as well. The main character's older sister tells her that sex is messy and painful so don't do it with someone lightly. That is the first teen book that had that particular message.
Spoilers. An okay book. It is more geared towards kids so I think that was my issue. I don't think the issue of body image was thoroughly covered cuz everything got fixed. And it was strange how the girl that Byron raped was like fine, like she didn't care too much about what happened, which doesn't seem that realistic. So that was a strange choice. So yeah an okay book. Maybe I woulda liked it more when I was younger.
Some things adressed in this novel seemed really superficial, others (like weight as the title implies) are discussed in depth and how a teenagers feels when discussing or processing these topics. I really felt for Virginia and the way her family treated her, but I am happy that we get to learn from her experiences.
I loved this book. It's nice to see a deep character with real feelings, and watch her grow and stand up for herself in the end. I think it's important that girls know that you don't have to impress the people around you, you just have to be happy with your self.
This book is well written, and I would recommend it to anyone.
This book is well written, and I would recommend it to anyone.
My final thoughts:
Via Black 'n Write Reviews
Virginia Shreves considers herself and larger-than-average girl and sometimes believes she was switched at birth, since the rest of her family is “perfect family”, fit or athletic, bilingual (and she can barely conjugate her verbs), golf club swinging, art museum connoisseurs, and high achieving. While she would much rather sit at home munching on chips and watching TV, or writing emails to her best-friend, Shannon.
***
Overall, it’s a happily ever after style story. Virginia realizes that if she cares more about how she feels about herself and less about what others think than she has a better chance of allowing herself to be happy. She took her rose-colored glasses off and she could finally see what kind of life she was truly living. It kind of reminds me of the book [b:Big Fat Manifesto|1114929|Big Fat Manifesto|Susan Vaught|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317064236s/1114929.jpg|1101935] by Susan Vaught, except the main character is an overweight teenager who exudes confidence, whereas Virginia is very insecure about her weight.
- Krys
Via Black 'n Write Reviews
Virginia Shreves considers herself and larger-than-average girl and sometimes believes she was switched at birth, since the rest of her family is “perfect family”, fit or athletic, bilingual (and she can barely conjugate her verbs), golf club swinging, art museum connoisseurs, and high achieving. While she would much rather sit at home munching on chips and watching TV, or writing emails to her best-friend, Shannon.
***
Overall, it’s a happily ever after style story. Virginia realizes that if she cares more about how she feels about herself and less about what others think than she has a better chance of allowing herself to be happy. She took her rose-colored glasses off and she could finally see what kind of life she was truly living. It kind of reminds me of the book [b:Big Fat Manifesto|1114929|Big Fat Manifesto|Susan Vaught|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317064236s/1114929.jpg|1101935] by Susan Vaught, except the main character is an overweight teenager who exudes confidence, whereas Virginia is very insecure about her weight.
- Krys
i recommend this book to every girl out there. It's about a girl who has weight problems, and has a bossy mother and a sweet bf. one day she gets really pressured and rebels. things get pretty funny from there.
Totally love it!
I can really relate to Virginia because I am an overweight too. I maybe even fatter than Virginia. So I totally know how people treat to fat people. I really really love the fact that she didn't try to lose her weight and just live her life the happiest way she can. I got really angry with her mom and Byron in about the middle of the book. But well, I guess they change too. I really love the characters of Anais, Annie and Shannon's parents. They're so cool! Other characters are pretty great too like Mrs.Crowley and Dr.Love. Ahhh I love this book so much! Ohh and I love Froggy too. He's cute.
I can really relate to Virginia because I am an overweight too. I maybe even fatter than Virginia. So I totally know how people treat to fat people. I really really love the fact that she didn't try to lose her weight and just live her life the happiest way she can. I got really angry with her mom and Byron in about the middle of the book. But well, I guess they change too. I really love the characters of Anais, Annie and Shannon's parents. They're so cool! Other characters are pretty great too like Mrs.Crowley and Dr.Love. Ahhh I love this book so much! Ohh and I love Froggy too. He's cute.