Summary: Virginia suffers from teenage angst and all that entails. She struggles with self-image, budding sexuality, a horrific family secret, and a changing family dynamic.
Citation: Mackler, C. (2003). The earth, my butt, and other big, round things. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.
My Thoughts: I found The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things to be this generation's The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. Containing fresh and edgy situations that today's teens can relate to on one level or another, this book really spoke to me.
Reviews:
Ilene Cooper (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2003 (Vol. 100, No. 1)
Fifteen-year-old Viriginia Shreves is the blond, round, average daughter in a family of dark-haired, thin superstars. Her best friend has moved away, and she's on the fringes at her private Manhattan school. She wants a boyfriend, but she settles for Froggy Welsh, who comes over on Mondays to grope her. The story follows Virginia as she tries to lose weight, struggles with her "imperfections," and deals with the knowledge that her idealized older brother has committed date rape. There's a lot going on here, and some important elements, such as Virginia's flirtation with self-mutilation, are passed over too quickly. But Mackler writes with such insight and humor (sometimes using strong language to make her point) that many readers will immediately identify with Virginia's longings as well as her fear and loathing. Her gradually evolving ability to stand up to her family is hard won and not always believable, but it provides a hopeful ending for those trying stand on their own two feet. Category: Books for Older Readers--Fiction. 2003, Candlewick, $15.99. Gr. 7-10.
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, June 15, 2003 (Vol. 71, No. 12)
Froggy Welsh the Fourth is trying to get up my shirt," begins this eminently accessible journey from self-hatred to confidence. Virginia is 15 and likes fooling around with Froggy, but she's mortified by her fatness, a shame fueled continually by her emotionally distant and pressuring family. Has she been switched at birth? Why isn't she perfect like her adored, overachieving older brother? But her brother isn't perfect after all, and he commits a horrifying act that rocks her world-and prompts her to begin questioning her family's values. Readers will be rooting for Virginia all the way as she moves from isolated TV-watcher to Website-creator with purple hair and an eyebrow ring. Sexuality, refreshingly, is treated as a good thing. Virginia's emotions progress from despondence to anger, joy, and strong independence, all portrayed with clarity. An easy read with substance and spirit. 2003, Candlewick, $15.99. Category: Fiction. Ages 13 up. © 2003 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
Suggested Uses: A quick book talk will have this teen tome flying off the shelves. Virignia's predicaments are sure to speak to all teens, on one level or another.
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