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spauffwrites's review against another edition
3.0
A good coming-of-age story with a solid, completely teenage voice -- DeWoskin does that very well. You can sort of see the scandal coming from the very beginning, but perhaps that was intentional? I don't know if I'd read it again, but I might pass it on to others.
kaylielongley's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to like this book and did, for the first few chapters. Judy, like every other 16-year-old narrator of twenty-first century literature, is talented, smart, and well-meaning, with a biting sarcastic tone. What makes her different is achondroplasia, which has resulted in a height of less than 4 feet and stunted limbs. As Judy herself asks, do people like her because of her difference or in spite of it? Regardless, this unique narration drew me in. I need to stop reading books filled with teenage angst because Big Girl Small quickly delves into this trap. For someone who has faced discrimination based on her difference, most of Judy’s recollections are based on appearance or prejudice, even down to her best friend, of whom she affectionately calls Goth Sarah. I don’t care that one teacher could be gay or another has an older husband. If it doesn’t move the plot along, it simply fuels my anger against the narrator and is a waste of my time. The only character who deserves more page time is Bill, a kind stranger who befriends Judy after she runs away from home.
Beyond one dimensional characters, there’s no plot. Judy switches schools, and her immediate successes of meeting friends and shining in and outside the classroom take a turn, and she flees. Granted, there are a couple of sweet moments in Big Girl Small, especially between Judy and her younger brother Sam, who will either be the president or a famous street dancer one day. When Judy finally reveals the scandal, it is predictable and handled poorly. The worst part of this book is how author DeWoskin handled the tragic event that inspired Judy’s escape: gang-rape. Judy is raped by her semi-boyfriend Jeff and his friends, who tape and broadcast the video. Judy’s personal dealings are unbelievable, in that she is more embarrassed and mourning for her boyfriend than angered or hurt by what happened. Worse, Judy does not seek justice nor do her parents. I cannot believe this. No charges pressed, no real lives changed because of their terrible decisions. I’m not looking for an ending wrapped in a big bow, but I at least want a meaningful conversation or lesson learned, for both Judy and the reader. Perhaps Judy’s unique voice will facilitate that.
Beyond one dimensional characters, there’s no plot. Judy switches schools, and her immediate successes of meeting friends and shining in and outside the classroom take a turn, and she flees. Granted, there are a couple of sweet moments in Big Girl Small, especially between Judy and her younger brother Sam, who will either be the president or a famous street dancer one day. When Judy finally reveals the scandal, it is predictable and handled poorly. The worst part of this book is how author DeWoskin handled the tragic event that inspired Judy’s escape: gang-rape. Judy is raped by her semi-boyfriend Jeff and his friends, who tape and broadcast the video. Judy’s personal dealings are unbelievable, in that she is more embarrassed and mourning for her boyfriend than angered or hurt by what happened. Worse, Judy does not seek justice nor do her parents. I cannot believe this. No charges pressed, no real lives changed because of their terrible decisions. I’m not looking for an ending wrapped in a big bow, but I at least want a meaningful conversation or lesson learned, for both Judy and the reader. Perhaps Judy’s unique voice will facilitate that.
arielml's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this as an audiobook. I loved the first half - Judy had a unique voice, sarcastic yet thoughtful, that put a spin on the usual high school perspective. But in the second half the plot got in the way of the character development and writing style, which I think were the best parts of the book. I would have enjoyed this more if it was a less dramatic story with more exploration of Judy's normal life, rather than the scandal that engulfed her.
SPOILER ALERT
I also found it really frustrating that after Judy got black-out drunk and was videotaped having sex with three guys, everyone was only concerned with the social, moral, and legal consequences. Why didn't anyone (including her parents) take her to get tested for pregnancy and STDs? And why didn't Judy's parents or any of the adults in her life hold her responsible AT ALL? I understand that she was victimized, but she also didn't make a smart choice to put herself in that situation, and everyone just acted like she had no agency whatsoever. Maybe I'm taking this too seriously, but I felt like if there were high school girls reading this book, I'd want them to realize how to approach these kinds of situations differently than Judy did.
SPOILER ALERT
I also found it really frustrating that after Judy got black-out drunk and was videotaped having sex with three guys, everyone was only concerned with the social, moral, and legal consequences. Why didn't anyone (including her parents) take her to get tested for pregnancy and STDs? And why didn't Judy's parents or any of the adults in her life hold her responsible AT ALL? I understand that she was victimized, but she also didn't make a smart choice to put herself in that situation, and everyone just acted like she had no agency whatsoever. Maybe I'm taking this too seriously, but I felt like if there were high school girls reading this book, I'd want them to realize how to approach these kinds of situations differently than Judy did.
fictional_existence's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I always make it a point to pick up one book I’ve never heard of by an author I’ve never heard of, just because it looks interesting. Unfortunately, this book stakes its entire narrative on one event, teases it out in the initial chapter and then beats it over the head every few pages because the author knows that finding out the nature of this awful event is the only thing keeping the reader reading. The prose is rambling, switching topics every few paragraphs and subplots seem nonexistent. I’d guess that the author would argue that this is a narrative choice based on the age of the narrator, but it’s too distracting to serve the narrator well and is likely more the result of thin plot lines and lack of necessary editing. I’ll admit I only made it to page 60 though I will probably scan the end to confirm my suspicions about the “big event”. Too bad, seemed like something I would have enjoyed. What’s that they say about judging a book by its cover?
sarahannkateri's review against another edition
3.0
Judy is a 16-year-old with an amazing singing voice who gets accepted to a prestigious performing arts school in Ann Arbor. She's also a dwarf - or as she prefers to be called, a little person. At three foot nine, Judy is used to being noticed, but when something terrible happens at her new school, she runs away and hides in a motel, hoping never to be seen again.
This book was kind of all over the place for me. I didn't like Judy's voice and didn't understand why anyone would want to be friends with such a brat. I hated that we were told she was an amazing writer, but that her writing talent wasn't reflected in the way she told her story, which was adequately told, but definitely nothing special... I think the 'foreshadowing' was too obvious, which made the big reveal kind of a let down. Still, it was an okay read which could make people more aware of the issues facing little people.
Side note: not sure why this was published as adult fiction, not teen. Maybe because they knew the teen voice would feel too adult to actual teens? Or the sex scenes, although they weren't really any more graphic than Looking for Alaska?
This book was kind of all over the place for me. I didn't like Judy's voice and didn't understand why anyone would want to be friends with such a brat. I hated that we were told she was an amazing writer, but that her writing talent wasn't reflected in the way she told her story, which was adequately told, but definitely nothing special... I think the 'foreshadowing' was too obvious, which made the big reveal kind of a let down. Still, it was an okay read which could make people more aware of the issues facing little people.
Side note: not sure why this was published as adult fiction, not teen. Maybe because they knew the teen voice would feel too adult to actual teens? Or the sex scenes, although they weren't really any more graphic than Looking for Alaska?
wombat_88's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
joaniemaloney's review against another edition
3.0
"So can someone please give me an example of something that isn't "ongoing?" Is there something in this life that's ever clearly, unequivocally finished? And is it just because I'm young that I have to ask that? I mean, here's a horrible possibility: even death can't exactly finish us."
Judy Lohden is sixteen years old, three feet nine, and has got the smarts and a stunning voice to land her a spot at Darcy Academy, a prestigious performing arts high school. It's affectionately known as D'Arts to those attending, and the students get privileges such as being able to decorate the outside of their lockers. (I went to a public high school and this just wasn't possible, even if I had an idea of what I wanted to do with mine.)
The story revolves around a scandal at D'Arts, involving Judy herself. She's hiding away from friends, family, and the media at a dingy motel, and the pieces slowly come together. Sometimes, too slowly. I enjoyed Judy's commentary, but it was a struggle to get through the tedious comings and goings at the high school, day after day. The mystery behind what she was so humiliated about kept me reading, but just enough. I can see the book being just as effective, possibly more, if some parts were trimmed.
I won't spoil anyone about the incident, but the hints leading up to it are telling and it's not hard to figure it out. It doesn't diminish the awfulness of it, but like I mentioned before, the story does drag. The sharpness of Judy's voice can be both a strength and a weakness, because there's almost a spectator-feel to how she tells the story, like she's not living through it all the same time we're reading about it. Judy does seem more mature than to struggle with teenage problems. I feel the fear but can't help seeing POV!Judy and past!Judy as completely different people.
I'm not sure if I could recommend this book. Rachel DeWoskin has a solid idea but it lost me through the execution. It's on my YA shelf for Judy's age, although it might not be marketed that way. I can't bring myself to give it 2 stars, but 3 stars would suffice. 2.5 stars might be most fitting.
ajworkman77's review against another edition
5.0
Regardless of many negative reviews I believe this book was wicked smart, honest, horrifyingly realistic, and captured the young and old. I would read this again.