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A review by falconerreader
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
4.0
I've seen girls reading this for years, and have always chuckled at the title. It was on the list for the bullying unit we taught this year, and one of my colleagues said it was her favorite of the group, so I figured I'd better read it.
First, the bad: Virginia lives in a world of privilege. Penthouse in NYC and second home in Connecticut. Private school, shopping sprees, and black tie dinners. Wealthy, white, and east coast. Why do I care? Because I teach in a school that is poor, half Latino, and rural west coast. Obviously, good books don't need to reflect the reader's reality (hello, fantasy, sci fi and murder mysteries!), but the setting will make the book more challenging for my struggling readers who won't have a lot of background knowledge about her world, and who possibly won't have a lot of sympathy for her first world problems.
Also, as many others mentioned, Virginia is pathetic and full of self loathing at the beginning of the book, and a proudly independent, confident young woman by the end. It's all a little too perfect.
Those qualities keep it to 4 stars, but there is much more to admire and enjoy. Virginia's transformation only appears too ideal upon reflection; as you read the book, it feels earned. Her humor and voice are strong. As a teacher, I love the quickly sketched personalities of her teachers. Her self hatred and self harm are painfully believable.
Plus, the title rocks.
First, the bad: Virginia lives in a world of privilege. Penthouse in NYC and second home in Connecticut. Private school, shopping sprees, and black tie dinners. Wealthy, white, and east coast. Why do I care? Because I teach in a school that is poor, half Latino, and rural west coast. Obviously, good books don't need to reflect the reader's reality (hello, fantasy, sci fi and murder mysteries!), but the setting will make the book more challenging for my struggling readers who won't have a lot of background knowledge about her world, and who possibly won't have a lot of sympathy for her first world problems.
Also, as many others mentioned, Virginia is pathetic and full of self loathing at the beginning of the book, and a proudly independent, confident young woman by the end. It's all a little too perfect.
Those qualities keep it to 4 stars, but there is much more to admire and enjoy. Virginia's transformation only appears too ideal upon reflection; as you read the book, it feels earned. Her humor and voice are strong. As a teacher, I love the quickly sketched personalities of her teachers. Her self hatred and self harm are painfully believable.
Plus, the title rocks.