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liv121's review against another edition
5.0
This was by far the best book I have ever read, the author did an amazing job. I was extremely sad that the book had ended, I wanted to hear more about Deanna Lambert. This book deals with common teenage issues and was the best book I have read yet.
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really great read. It was honest and true to life. I feel at some points like I was reading about my own younger days (which wasn't always a pleasant experience) but Sara Zarr handled the subject matter and plot with skill. I also like how, well her story did follow the usual young adult structure, it didn't follow the Hollywood cliché. For example, right away we learn that the protagonist has feelings for her friend but can't have him. I appreciated her lack of naivety in that regard and felt more respected as a reader as a result.
I highly recommend the book and would encourage older teenaged females to read it.
I highly recommend the book and would encourage older teenaged females to read it.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
So good. Short but realistic, heartfelt plot, liked the story. Going to try How to Save a Life soon.
mrswhite's review against another edition
3.0
"I was thirteen when my dad caught me with Tommy Webber in the back of Tommy's Buick, parked next to the old Chart House down in Montara at eleven o'clock on a Tuesday night. Tommy was seventeen and the supposed friend of my brother, Darren.
I didn't love him.
I'm not sure I even liked him."
Deanna Lambert is widely regarded as the town slut, a distinction awarded to her after her father caught her in the act of having sex, and her partner then decided to publicly tout the experience as a badge of honor. Nevermind that Tommy was her first and only sexual encounter, the story of what she had done, how she was discovered, and the age gap between her and her partner proved enough to destroy her reputation in a sleepy little town where there's little else to discuss and whose memory is long. There's nothing else that Deanna would prefer than to take back what she did, to have had the confidence and the maturity to have not given into the pressuring of an older boy, but it's too late, the deed is done, and as a result she seems to have forever lost the respect of her peers and, most devastatingly, of her father.
I've recently been on a bit of a young adult literature kick - good research for the young adult novel that I'm somehow going to write this month - and although young adult novels can be a bit of a crapshoot, I'm pleased to say that Zarr's Story of a Girl was a true gem. The characters are vivid, complex and totally realistic, especially the protagonist, who hates Tommy for what he did to her, yet still can't help but be attracted to him all the same. For his part, Tommy is like so many teenage boys who pressure younger girls for sex: idiotic, but not necessarily evil, and burdened with his own confusing set of emotions.
And while it certainly is an interesting character study, the biggest thing that Zarr's novel has going for it is the weightiness and import of its subject matter. With teens becoming sexually active at younger and younger ages, it becomes increasingly important for them to see what the consequences of sexual activity can be, and not just the larger consequences like pregnancy or STDs. What too many kids don't seem to realize until it's too late is the emotional and social toll that sex can take on someone who simply isn't mature enough yet to handle it.
Ultimately, Story of a Girl is the story of how the decisions we make follow us, and how our missteps can, unfortunately, come to define us. This a lesson that I see too many young adults learn the hard way, making Story of a Girl a very worthwhile read for any teen.
I didn't love him.
I'm not sure I even liked him."
Deanna Lambert is widely regarded as the town slut, a distinction awarded to her after her father caught her in the act of having sex, and her partner then decided to publicly tout the experience as a badge of honor. Nevermind that Tommy was her first and only sexual encounter, the story of what she had done, how she was discovered, and the age gap between her and her partner proved enough to destroy her reputation in a sleepy little town where there's little else to discuss and whose memory is long. There's nothing else that Deanna would prefer than to take back what she did, to have had the confidence and the maturity to have not given into the pressuring of an older boy, but it's too late, the deed is done, and as a result she seems to have forever lost the respect of her peers and, most devastatingly, of her father.
I've recently been on a bit of a young adult literature kick - good research for the young adult novel that I'm somehow going to write this month - and although young adult novels can be a bit of a crapshoot, I'm pleased to say that Zarr's Story of a Girl was a true gem. The characters are vivid, complex and totally realistic, especially the protagonist, who hates Tommy for what he did to her, yet still can't help but be attracted to him all the same. For his part, Tommy is like so many teenage boys who pressure younger girls for sex: idiotic, but not necessarily evil, and burdened with his own confusing set of emotions.
And while it certainly is an interesting character study, the biggest thing that Zarr's novel has going for it is the weightiness and import of its subject matter. With teens becoming sexually active at younger and younger ages, it becomes increasingly important for them to see what the consequences of sexual activity can be, and not just the larger consequences like pregnancy or STDs. What too many kids don't seem to realize until it's too late is the emotional and social toll that sex can take on someone who simply isn't mature enough yet to handle it.
Ultimately, Story of a Girl is the story of how the decisions we make follow us, and how our missteps can, unfortunately, come to define us. This a lesson that I see too many young adults learn the hard way, making Story of a Girl a very worthwhile read for any teen.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
2.0
Reread from so long ago I didn't even know Goodreads was a thing. Apparently, rereading books reminds you a lot of how your reading tastes change because I remember loving this when I first read it, but now it's average to me.
stephxsu's review against another edition
4.0
Deanna Lambert was just 13 years old when her father caught her having sex in Tommy Weber’s car. Now, she’s a rising high school junior and hates her life, living with her spineless mother, her father who hates her, her brother Darren, his girlfriend Stacy, and their unplanned pregnancy, baby April. It’s bad enough that her home life sucks without considering how she’s always teased in school, called a skank and a slut and a lot of other bad things, all for what happened with Tommy Weber, the jerk who then turned it into a humiliating story for everyone to hear.
It’s hard to imagine life getting any harder. But it does. Desperate for money (that she plans to help Darren, Stacy, and April move out with), Deanna takes a job at the local run-down pizza place. The owner, Michael, is nice—and gay—enough, but it’s her coworker that really makes her nervous: Tommy Weber, two years older but no less nightmarish. And then she has to go ahead and mess things up with Lee, her only female friends, and Lee’s boyfriend, Deanna’s best friend Jason.
Perhaps, Deanna begins to think, she is destined for a life in her town of “Pathetica,” married to a loveless disgusting man and begetting screwed-up kids. However, there’s support and silent encouragement from all people…even the ones Deanna thought would never love her again, or whom she would never like again.
STORY OF A GIRL. Such a simple and ambiguous title. Could be about anything, right? However, Sara Zarr spins Deanna’s heartbreaking story of teenage mistakes and love lost wonderfully. Everyone in Deanna’s world becomes real to the reader as well. Deanna’s tale reminds us that, while life can sometimes seem not worth living, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
It’s hard to imagine life getting any harder. But it does. Desperate for money (that she plans to help Darren, Stacy, and April move out with), Deanna takes a job at the local run-down pizza place. The owner, Michael, is nice—and gay—enough, but it’s her coworker that really makes her nervous: Tommy Weber, two years older but no less nightmarish. And then she has to go ahead and mess things up with Lee, her only female friends, and Lee’s boyfriend, Deanna’s best friend Jason.
Perhaps, Deanna begins to think, she is destined for a life in her town of “Pathetica,” married to a loveless disgusting man and begetting screwed-up kids. However, there’s support and silent encouragement from all people…even the ones Deanna thought would never love her again, or whom she would never like again.
STORY OF A GIRL. Such a simple and ambiguous title. Could be about anything, right? However, Sara Zarr spins Deanna’s heartbreaking story of teenage mistakes and love lost wonderfully. Everyone in Deanna’s world becomes real to the reader as well. Deanna’s tale reminds us that, while life can sometimes seem not worth living, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book was very authentic in that the main character is very lost and makes mistakes. She seemed like a real teen instead of an adult's idea of a teen. The story was good and it moved along quickly.
day_fisher's review against another edition
4.0
What if everyone got a second chance after making a big mistake? Deanna has been stuck with a poor reputation, struggling family dynamics, and a deep sense of loneliness ever since she was caught in a mistake her 13 years on earth had not yet prepared her for. I demolished this in a 3h car ride. It was realistic showing a teen learning about decisions and forgiveness and the work it takes to create your family.
debbiebarr's review against another edition
5.0
At sixteen Deanna's past has been haunting her for three years. Everyone in her school thinks she's a slut. Her own Dad can't even look her in the eyes without seeing the thirteen-year-old girl he found in the back of a car with a high school junior. Deanna knows, though, that she can be defined by more than just one more mistake. There's more to her than that. It's just a matter of finding a way for those around her, and herself, to believe it.
This lovely, well-written book gives new views on stereotypes, hope, and forgiveness. The characters are memorable, and Zarr has an incredible knack for getting into a teenager's head and seeing the world through her eyes.
This lovely, well-written book gives new views on stereotypes, hope, and forgiveness. The characters are memorable, and Zarr has an incredible knack for getting into a teenager's head and seeing the world through her eyes.
cburgbennett's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't like this book. I wasn't very impressed with the storyline. I guess I should have figured what the book would be about from the description.