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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
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:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
This should be required reading for all women or anyone that loves or cares about a woman.
4/5
Rules for being a girl is a whip smart commentary on stated/unstated expectations from girls of all ages...but specially teens.
Marin is a senior who is well behaved and well liked. Everything changes when her charismatic teacher makes inappropriate advances towards her and nobody believes her when she tells. This book calls out society's tendency to mould girls into particular cookie cutter shapes and anyone out of the expected norms is "just asking for it".
The book goes on to tell how Marin took control of her life and the situation with help from unexpected quarters. I do feel the ending was not as strong as the beginning. I was blown over by the beginning, the ending though not bad, was a tad bit let down for me.
However, having said that, the book is definitely worth a read and I highly recommend it. This should definitely be a required reading for girls, and their parents. I would also recommend reading this along with Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche.
The following lines from the book (Marin's editorial) states the problem most succinctly:
" Rules for being a girl:
It starts before you can remember: you learn, as surely as you learn to walk and talk, the rules for being a girl. You are Princess. You are Daddy’s Little Girl. Are you ticklish? Give him a hug. You’re sweet, aren’t you? You’re a good little girl.
You don’t remember those early days, but here’s what you do remember: You remember ballet class, the way your tummy stretched your pink leotard and your parents fretted over some future eating disorder, and then you were trying tap, or soccer, or what about a musical instrument? You remember “We just want you to be happy!”and you remember you said you were happy because you knew that’s what they wanted to hear. How long have you been saying what everyone else wants to hear?
Time went on, and GIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING! So speak up, I can’t hear you! But also: Manners, young lady. A boy is bothering you at school? Stand up for yourself! A boy is bothering you at school? He’s just trying to get your attention. Do you like sparkles and unicorns and everything pink? Oh that’s stupid now. Can you play in this game? Sorry, no girls allowed.
Put a little color on your face. Shave your legs. Don’t wear too much makeup. Don’t wear short skirts. Don’t distract the boys by wearing bodysuits or spaghetti straps or knee socks. Don’t distract the boys by having a body. Don’t distract the boys.
Don’t be one of those girls who can’t eat pizza. You’re getting the milk shake too? Whoa. Have you gained weight? Don’t get so skinny your curves disappear. Don’t get so curvy you aren’t skinny. Don’t take up too much space. It’s just about your health.
Be funny, but don’t hog the spotlight. Be smart, but you have a lot to learn. Don’t be a doormat, but God, don’t be bossy. Be chill. Be easygoing. Act like one of the guys. Don’t actually act like one of the guys. Be a feminist. Support the sisterhood. Wait, are you, like, gay? Maybe kiss a girl if he’s watching though—that’s hot. Put on a show. Don’t even think about putting on a show, that’s nasty.
Don’t be easy. Don’t give it up. Don’t be a prude. Don’t be cold. Don’t put him in the friend zone. Don’t act desperate. Don’t let things go too far. Don’t give him the wrong idea. Don’t blame him for trying. Don’t walk alone at night. But calm down! Don’t worry so much. Smile!
Remember, girl: It’s the best time in the history of the world to be you. You can do anything! You can do everything! You can be whatever you want to be!
Just as long as you follow the rules."
To this I say, in Marin's grandmother's words, "You are a good girl, but you don't always have to be so good".
Rules for being a girl is a whip smart commentary on stated/unstated expectations from girls of all ages...but specially teens.
Marin is a senior who is well behaved and well liked. Everything changes when her charismatic teacher makes inappropriate advances towards her and nobody believes her when she tells. This book calls out society's tendency to mould girls into particular cookie cutter shapes and anyone out of the expected norms is "just asking for it".
The book goes on to tell how Marin took control of her life and the situation with help from unexpected quarters. I do feel the ending was not as strong as the beginning. I was blown over by the beginning, the ending though not bad, was a tad bit let down for me.
However, having said that, the book is definitely worth a read and I highly recommend it. This should definitely be a required reading for girls, and their parents. I would also recommend reading this along with Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche.
The following lines from the book (Marin's editorial) states the problem most succinctly:
" Rules for being a girl:
It starts before you can remember: you learn, as surely as you learn to walk and talk, the rules for being a girl. You are Princess. You are Daddy’s Little Girl. Are you ticklish? Give him a hug. You’re sweet, aren’t you? You’re a good little girl.
You don’t remember those early days, but here’s what you do remember: You remember ballet class, the way your tummy stretched your pink leotard and your parents fretted over some future eating disorder, and then you were trying tap, or soccer, or what about a musical instrument? You remember “We just want you to be happy!”and you remember you said you were happy because you knew that’s what they wanted to hear. How long have you been saying what everyone else wants to hear?
Time went on, and GIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING! So speak up, I can’t hear you! But also: Manners, young lady. A boy is bothering you at school? Stand up for yourself! A boy is bothering you at school? He’s just trying to get your attention. Do you like sparkles and unicorns and everything pink? Oh that’s stupid now. Can you play in this game? Sorry, no girls allowed.
Put a little color on your face. Shave your legs. Don’t wear too much makeup. Don’t wear short skirts. Don’t distract the boys by wearing bodysuits or spaghetti straps or knee socks. Don’t distract the boys by having a body. Don’t distract the boys.
Don’t be one of those girls who can’t eat pizza. You’re getting the milk shake too? Whoa. Have you gained weight? Don’t get so skinny your curves disappear. Don’t get so curvy you aren’t skinny. Don’t take up too much space. It’s just about your health.
Be funny, but don’t hog the spotlight. Be smart, but you have a lot to learn. Don’t be a doormat, but God, don’t be bossy. Be chill. Be easygoing. Act like one of the guys. Don’t actually act like one of the guys. Be a feminist. Support the sisterhood. Wait, are you, like, gay? Maybe kiss a girl if he’s watching though—that’s hot. Put on a show. Don’t even think about putting on a show, that’s nasty.
Don’t be easy. Don’t give it up. Don’t be a prude. Don’t be cold. Don’t put him in the friend zone. Don’t act desperate. Don’t let things go too far. Don’t give him the wrong idea. Don’t blame him for trying. Don’t walk alone at night. But calm down! Don’t worry so much. Smile!
Remember, girl: It’s the best time in the history of the world to be you. You can do anything! You can do everything! You can be whatever you want to be!
Just as long as you follow the rules."
To this I say, in Marin's grandmother's words, "You are a good girl, but you don't always have to be so good".
This was a great read about sticking up for yourself. Marin is dealing with lots of changes in her life starting with preparing for her last year of high school, working on the school paper, and watching her grandmother change due to Alzheimer's. How will she deal with heat that will start from her post in the newspaper, the advances from a few males - wanted or not, not getting into a specific school, and keeping friendship in this last year? Can we all just say sometimes it takes a village for a voice to be heard, a fire to be lit!
Ye gads! Did this novel ever see an editor? Now I'll admit I'm no fan of Bushnell, but being a fair reviewer I thought I'd give this a go.
Sorry to say that I won't be giving it any more of my time and it's a DNF at 14%.
In the first four chapters alone there are over a dozen repeated phrases relating to what people are either eating or wearing (to be honest I gave up counting after the atrocious school canteen scene) and the name-dropping of brands is appalling. This may be part of her schtick, but for me, that's not writing, that's a fluff piece. If, after four chapters (in what is practically a novella on the YA world) you still get nothing of the main character other than which Uni she's chosen, then you've got issues.
Yes, you can clearly see where things are heading with the creep of a teacher, but the delivery is sloppy. When there are so many YA novels out there that tackle difficult and sensitive topics (and many that don't but are just rollicking good reads) this is one that should be left on the shelf.
Sorry to say that I won't be giving it any more of my time and it's a DNF at 14%.
In the first four chapters alone there are over a dozen repeated phrases relating to what people are either eating or wearing (to be honest I gave up counting after the atrocious school canteen scene) and the name-dropping of brands is appalling. This may be part of her schtick, but for me, that's not writing, that's a fluff piece. If, after four chapters (in what is practically a novella on the YA world) you still get nothing of the main character other than which Uni she's chosen, then you've got issues.
Yes, you can clearly see where things are heading with the creep of a teacher, but the delivery is sloppy. When there are so many YA novels out there that tackle difficult and sensitive topics (and many that don't but are just rollicking good reads) this is one that should be left on the shelf.
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Well, this was a fun book on feminism! Very cute and fast paced.
You wanna skip first period and go to the dinner for breakfast