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

5.0

Virginia Shreves is a chubby, blond 15-year-old who feels completely out of place in her active, slim, and brown-haired family. Virginia feels like an outsider, both at home and at school. She is a talented writer and especially enjoys creating lists to help her make sense of her life. when it comes to standing up to her overachieving parents or her perfect older siblings, however, she often feels powerless and overlooked.

Virginia struggles with her weight and lives by the "fat girl code of conduct." In keeping with those rules, she makes out with her not quite a boyfriend, but never speaks to him in public. She'll let him feel around under her shirt, but she won't let him look. At her mother's urging, Virginia loses a few pounds on a near-starvation diet. When her brother is suspended from college for date rape, Virginia drowns her anger and disappointment in junk food and eats her way back into her "fat pants."

While Virginia's path to empowerment is not completely believable (the change from shy wallflower to kick-ass chick happens quickly), I cheered for her anyway. I especially loved that her newfound confidence has nothing to do with her weight.

A wonderful read for teens or anyone who has ever been one!