Wednesday, October 4, 2017

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

I will admit to buying this book because I found the title funny. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler was published in 2003 and the story still holds true in today's world.

Virginia, the main character is overweight and her best friend has moved to the Northwest. She has horrible self esteem even though her mother is a teen psychologist. Virginia can't help but compare herself to her perfect parents, and her two perfect older siblings.

She obeys the "fat girl code of conduct" with the boy she has a crush on, but she fails to give herself or him the credit they deserve. Things go from bad to worse for her when her father receives an upsetting phone call, and her world falls apart. Can she find the strength to put herself in her own orbit or will she remain the doormat for her family?

Her parents want to help her fight her weight problem, but they go about it the wrong way. I'm not sure what the right way is.

This book deals with older teen issues: discovering sexuality, make-out sessions, weight problems, date rape, teenage drinking, bullying, eating disorders, self-harm, teen rebellion, and body piercing. This book has the potential to be triggering for some but to also be a great dialogue starter.



Read to a child today even if that child is you. 

Link to our NICU book registry if you'd like to donate books to babies in the newborn intensive care unit.

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