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rachcannoli 's review for:
Rules for Being a Girl
by Candace Bushnell
Rules for Being a Girl is honestly the kind of book I wish I had in high school and I really hope gets shared throughout the YA sphere quickly. I say this because most assault/sexual harassment books pretty quickly leap immediately to rape and while that's sadly an important issue that does need to be discussed, it's not always the case with everyone's situations. This book covers sexual harassment in a more subtle, but just as devious way. I like how it shows all manners of manipulations and the different reactions we take. I also loved that it took more of an activist, social justice spin on it rather than making it more of a victim narrator. She's still a survivor no matter how limited their interaction was, but I liked that for the most part it took a different reactionary stance that i think would be so important for young girls to read about. I also think it's a super quick and easy read which is easily digestible. Throwing in a precious boy as well for a little bit of lightness, I really think anyone can enjoy this.
My only issue is I feel like it wrapped up a bit too quickly and it's extremely predictable. I feel like everything was set up so well that I just wanted to live in these moments a little bit longer. But there was really zero fat in this book, it hopped from plot to plot to plot with basically zero breathing room. I don't mind that, but because of it I didn't feel as attached to Marin as I wanted to be. I wish we got to see more of her revelations. I wanted more book club scenes, and more excellent book suggestions, and more time with her sponsor teacher. I wanted more moments like the discussion about how supporting a guy's sport should be no different than a girl, etc. I also wanted more with her friend after they hashed it out and more of the aftermath. I would've loved more articles too. And more Gray, though he's basically perfect so I really can't complain.
Overall though, I think it was a really enjoyable book that tackled important and complex topics in a lighter way that will be more palatable for the younger audience I hope it attracts. I could see this being an incredible discussion book for that, my high school LA teachers, I'm looking at you. Definitely recommend, good, fast read.
My only issue is I feel like it wrapped up a bit too quickly and it's extremely predictable. I feel like everything was set up so well that I just wanted to live in these moments a little bit longer. But there was really zero fat in this book, it hopped from plot to plot to plot with basically zero breathing room. I don't mind that, but because of it I didn't feel as attached to Marin as I wanted to be. I wish we got to see more of her revelations. I wanted more book club scenes, and more excellent book suggestions, and more time with her sponsor teacher. I wanted more moments like the discussion about how supporting a guy's sport should be no different than a girl, etc. I also wanted more with her friend after they hashed it out and more of the aftermath. I would've loved more articles too. And more Gray, though he's basically perfect so I really can't complain.
Overall though, I think it was a really enjoyable book that tackled important and complex topics in a lighter way that will be more palatable for the younger audience I hope it attracts. I could see this being an incredible discussion book for that, my high school LA teachers, I'm looking at you. Definitely recommend, good, fast read.