Reviews

Does My Body Offend You?, by Marie Marquardt, Mayra Cuevas

li_02's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

juliafranzis's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I honestly didnt know what to expect but this is way better than everything I imagined
Its a cute and powerful story with great representation and the struggles of the different characters are described so well

antonellaisreading's review

3.5

My body is a gift from my parents.
It’s a temple for my soul, my mind, my heart.
My body is pride,
a picture of my homeland,
a song of love.
My body is not yours to judge.
Not yours to decide.
Not yours to criticize.
It’s mine, only mine, and no one else’s.

una conversación que DEBE ser tratada más a menudo en libros, más que nada en los que están ambientados en el secundario. me gustó la representación y cómo fue tratada. 
pero la realidad es que por momentos me costaba conectar con la historia porque me resultaba INSUFRIBLE uno de los personajes. pero eso no quita que es un libro que está bueno 

jcsoccer09's review

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

alebookdiscovery's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

finleyworm's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

heymama_755's review

4.0

I honestly had no idea what I was expecting with this book, but it has certainly made an impression on me. This YA novel has a strong social conscience as it explores a range of topics from sexism, feminism, social activism, racism, sexual assault, rape culture and white saviorism. The writing is smart and the characters are fun. The story really made me think as it not only exposed problematic school dress codes, but it presented a whole host of problems faced by high schoolers (and society as a whole) that I may have been to wrapped up in my own life to take notice of. I applaud the author for taking on this challenging subject and for saying what others may have been too afraid to say.

I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Random House Children’s in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

faerietxn's review

5.0

I loved this book! I never thought of how the dress code *in school* caters to boys/men and punishes girls/women. I hated being called aside for my clothing in school. I felt exactly as these young women did. Violated. The fact that anyone but especially grown adults felt they had any right to see me any way except as a student trying to learn really disgusts me now. I especially felt betrayed when it was a woman calling me out, making me adjust my skirt or shorts and putting my arms down to make sure it was the appropriate length or measuring the inches between my knees and the length. I was a straight A student! I'm sorry I have Latina curves and things don't fit the same as the other girls.

Malena has to relocate to Florida from Puerto Rico after a hurricane hits and isn't happy about the situation. She misses her school, her home and her dad who had to stay behind to help others. Ruby is in Florida from Seattle, WA after her parents moved them there to help with her grandmother after an illness. Her parents go off on a 2nd honey moon and she stays with her grandmother to escape the shadow of the "perfect older sister" that she feels like she's trapped in. Important to note, Malena is Puerto Rican girl with curves and Ruby is a white girl without curves.

Both young women are smart, just trying to make the best out of life when their paths cross. Malena has been reported for not wearing a bra (due to a horrible sunburn) and they meet in a bathroom at school. Well meaning Ruby tries to help Malena with a "F" the authority type of attitude and Malena listens and ends up in more trouble. Detention.

This leads Ruby to take charge and try to bulldoze her way to doing what she thinks is the right way of doing things with Malena slowly gaining her own self determination and courage along the way but in the end, Ruby is forced to realize that life isn't the same for her and Malena. Just because they're both young women, doesn't mean they'll be treated the same. It also touches on how things are different for men and women and not just in dress codes.

This book is very much an eye opener for me. I probably would have acted just like Malena did at first. I'd rather avoid trouble if I could. I wouldn't encourage my girls to just go along with it now though. They shouldn't have to hide to avoid being harassed or assaulted by other people. Everyone should learn to keep their hands and opinions to themselves. I hope this book opens people's eyes about the difference in treatment and consequences that people go through due to gender, status, race, etc. Even if we can't teach the older generation that this is not ok, we can hopefully teach our children.

kapbanana's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this book. It was very accessible, but also challenging at times. I always love when a book successfully portrays nuance. It's felt like most of the YA Contemporary novels I've picked up recently have been flat and too on-the-head with their messaging. I thoughts Cuevas & Marquardt did a fabulous job of telling Melana's and Ruby's stories, painting them as full, real individuals. I guess my only critique would be that I felt like there wasn't as much friendship in the book as I anticipated. Simultaneously, one of the things I enjoyed the book about this book was how the main characters cared about their friends. 

embryburnett19's review

challenging emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75