A review by slknight13
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

3.0

Mackler writes with a very pure and raw voice. Her main character, Virginia lives in a family of picture-perfect high-achieving siblings and parents. However, Virginia does not fit in as she is not thin and beautiful. Her whole wide seems to be crashing down when her older brother (whom she idolizes) commits date rape while in college and is sent home. (The young lady gets through the trauma by listening to "Gratitude" by Ani di Franco. I love that her music is even mentioned because I was obsessed with her.) Virginia struggles with the loss of her best friend who has left to live in Washington and her new crush, Froggy whom she fears is embarrassed to be seen in public with her. I could relate to this novel on the fact that I have struggled with my weight my whole life. Unlike Virginia, I did not binge-eat or "eat my feelings" (as she calls it). It was nice to read a book where the heroine resembles the normal teenage girl. This novel also touches upon some very serious issues for teens and young adults.