babayagareads's review against another edition
2.0
This had a lot of things going on, some good, some less good, some extremely problematic. It bothers me to no end that the "good girl" that the other girls are supposed to be modeling themselves after is the only one who didn't have sex with him. I like the metaphor of her being the younger one, the youth of tomorrow, that is able to speak up for herself, which might be trying to show that the future is looking brighter for young women's voices. I love "Forever," and I understand why it was used as a foil, however their writing in it feels almost like the Burn Book from Mean Girls. Yes, these girls have been taken advantage of, so technically, they're the ones who have been "burned," but must they deface a library book in the process, especially in such a physical manifestation? It almost feels like there's a terrifying parallel being made about tarnishment. What I liked about the book is the honesty of the characters, legitimizing their feelings of first love and lust. Just because they are young does not mean that their emotions are not valid. The edition I read had a really interesting book discussion section in the back, which I really enjoyed, and it made me grow fonder of the book after reading it. This would be great for a youth book club, not just for young girls, but also for young boys. It's important for all people to be reading these sorts of perspectives and having safe conversations. If I could give this half stars, I'd rate it a 2.5.
jemcam's review against another edition
3.0
Well. Welcome back to high school. This book completely captured the experience of compromising your self-esteem, interests, friendships, etc. for a guy. Not the most pleasant read, but one that should be put in the hands of all teen girls out there. I especially like how she dealt with the notions of empowerment, and how situations can flip on you. But, truth be told, it was a bit of a bummer.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
Several high school girls get caught up with a high school player, who has sex with them and dumps them. This book describes each girl’s encounter with him and the strength they find to move on after him. The girls ultimately work together to help each other.
Quick fluffy novel about the dangers of having sex too young (insert eye roll).
Quick fluffy novel about the dangers of having sex too young (insert eye roll).
sheilajsn's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
manyworldsinoneplace's review against another edition
5.0
Omg, so good , the books about three girls telling a story about a guy who used them for SEX, but the first girl he doesnt get it of, she writes in a book on the back to warn other girls about this boy and what he will try to do, the three girls are talking about the same guy
twiinklex's review against another edition
4.0
First read this as a paperback in my teens and it left such a deep impression on me that I found myself wanting to re-read it. So glad that my library has the e-book version on Libby! This remains a classic for me and should be read by all teenage girls.
laura_reads_stuff's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars = okay. I wouldn't say I disliked it entirely, but it was quite irritating.
Most of all, I hated the "poetic" form. It felt like the author had written prose and then chopped it in random places to put it on different lines so it looked like a poem. That might be my fault for not getting the poetry, but it felt unnecessary.
It also felt like a bit of a weak story - so basically a "player" went on looooooads of dates just so he could eventually sleep with them and dump them. The characters seemed a little pathetic - starting off by saying "I am not interested in guys" and suddenly soooo in love with a few pages later.
This took me less than an hour to read, so might be good for a long bus journey or a train ride, but it's not the best thing I've read.
Most of all, I hated the "poetic" form. It felt like the author had written prose and then chopped it in random places to put it on different lines so it looked like a poem. That might be my fault for not getting the poetry, but it felt unnecessary.
It also felt like a bit of a weak story - so basically a "player" went on looooooads of dates just so he could eventually sleep with them and dump them. The characters seemed a little pathetic - starting off by saying "I am not interested in guys" and suddenly soooo in love with a few pages later.
This took me less than an hour to read, so might be good for a long bus journey or a train ride, but it's not the best thing I've read.
kathrynamonett's review against another edition
4.0
I read this because it was number 6 on the American Library Association's Top Ten list of Banned Books for 2013. And I must say I enjoyed it.
The reasons for it being contested were: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit.
This is a book (in verse!) abut high school…
Get real people. Wouldn't you rather have your daughters learn about these things through the safety of books rather than painful first-hand experience?
Books are how we learn, not just from text books but fiction too. Especially fiction.
Pity about the title, though...
I can see this could very quickly and easily turn into a rant, so I'll save it for a blog post.
Yes, middle school/highschool girls should read this. (It also makes me regret not having read Judy Blume's Forever. It'll have to go on the to-read list, too.)
The reasons for it being contested were: Drugs/alcohol/smoking, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit.
This is a book (in verse!) abut high school…
Get real people. Wouldn't you rather have your daughters learn about these things through the safety of books rather than painful first-hand experience?
Books are how we learn, not just from text books but fiction too. Especially fiction.
Pity about the title, though...
I can see this could very quickly and easily turn into a rant, so I'll save it for a blog post.
Yes, middle school/highschool girls should read this. (It also makes me regret not having read Judy Blume's Forever. It'll have to go on the to-read list, too.)
thepreciouslife808's review against another edition
4.0
I was waiting for the moment when they get him back... is there a second book??
margaretann84's review against another edition
2.0
I thought this book had an interesting premise, but the follow-through could've been better. I had a hard time telling some of the voices apart (usually, I had to rely on clues like "Oh, this character's personality is based only on music, so she must be talking"), and I didn't particularly care for any of the narrators as they got themselves in deep with this jerk of a guy. Also, there was one stray "Nicolette" bit in the middle of Aviva's section, and that threw me off because it appeared out of nowhere (why it needed to be there as opposed in her own section, who knows?"). Finally, the book seemed an awful lot like an advertisement for Judy Blume's Forever, rather than just using it as an allusion.
Certainly not the worst book I've read, but definitely more towards the bottom.
Certainly not the worst book I've read, but definitely more towards the bottom.