marissaevonne's review against another edition
4.0
I forgot how comforting this book was a teen. The author does a great job of capturing the feelings of a fifteen year old.
I gave this book four stars for a few reasons. One, I think there could’ve been more attention paid to Virginia self harming herself. It continued to escalate over and over again until she spoke with Dr. Love. I find it hard to believe a simple conversation makes someone stop self harming just like that. Secondly, I would have loved to have the Black and POC characters fleshed out more. Also, what happened to Brie? There should have been some update. I honestly expected Virginia to check in on her. She shouldn’t have excused her fatphobic comment, but I thought we were going to receive an update besides the fact that she was dethroned. Lastly, I think Byron’s date rape situation should have been more realistic. To be honest, I have rarely encountered situations in which the individual who is accused of rape or assault faces actual consequences. Typically, it’s swept under the rug, colleges don’t dole out punishments, and the woman is rarely believed.
I gave this book four stars for a few reasons. One, I think there could’ve been more attention paid to Virginia self harming herself. It continued to escalate over and over again until she spoke with Dr. Love. I find it hard to believe a simple conversation makes someone stop self harming just like that. Secondly, I would have loved to have the Black and POC characters fleshed out more. Also, what happened to Brie? There should have been some update. I honestly expected Virginia to check in on her. She shouldn’t have excused her fatphobic comment, but I thought we were going to receive an update besides the fact that she was dethroned. Lastly, I think Byron’s date rape situation should have been more realistic. To be honest, I have rarely encountered situations in which the individual who is accused of rape or assault faces actual consequences. Typically, it’s swept under the rug, colleges don’t dole out punishments, and the woman is rarely believed.
mwiedwald's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aaron_j136's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t really like the main character or the “love interest”.
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
THE EARTH, MY BUTT, AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS, aside from having the best title ever, is a really special book. Funny, emotional, fast-paced, and empowering. Virginia, the imperfect member of a perfect family, has alway struggled with weight and various short comings in her life. Mackler's book chronicles Virginia's struggles to find her "chutzpah", accept herself, all while wading through an extremely difficult family ordeal. This book struck a chord with me because, as a teenager and into my early twenties, I was heavy. There were many things about Virginia's outlook on life and herself that resonated with me, which is why I was pleased that this book didn't necessarily focus on V getting thinner, but on overall health and about V learning to value herself no matter her weight. This book, in my opinion, is worthy of the Prinze honor it received and a must read for every teenage girl.
kandicez's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars, but since that's not an option, I'll go with three.
I have a 15 year old daughter, so try to read anything she is currently reading and also anything that might appeal to her. I liked this one. It wasn't preachy, and although it was clearly YA, it was also pretty realistic.
Virginia is an overweight child in an otherwise "perfect" family. Her family is not openly abusive about her weight but it's definitely the elephant in the room. Because Gin has dealt with feeling a little "less than" her whole life, her self-esteem is very low and when her perfect, older brother gets into some trouble she really begins to feel it. Despite his disappointing behavior Gin's family still treat him like the Golden Boy they always have. So unfair.
I liked the voice used to tell the story, and as I said, it rang fairly true to me. What I found most disturbing was the fact that Gin's mother is an adolescent psychologist but doesn't see the signs of apathy and depression in her daughter. I guess that's probably realistic as well, but certainly sad.
I cringed a bit at Gin's small acts of defiance, such as an eyebrow piercing and dying her hair "Pimpin' Purple", but these are small things in the scheme of life and listening to Gin tell the tale made me realize how much little things like that can mean to a teenager. Doesn't mean I won't freak out if my daughter pierces her face, but I may freak out a little less.
I have a 15 year old daughter, so try to read anything she is currently reading and also anything that might appeal to her. I liked this one. It wasn't preachy, and although it was clearly YA, it was also pretty realistic.
Virginia is an overweight child in an otherwise "perfect" family. Her family is not openly abusive about her weight but it's definitely the elephant in the room. Because Gin has dealt with feeling a little "less than" her whole life, her self-esteem is very low and when her perfect, older brother gets into some trouble she really begins to feel it. Despite his disappointing behavior Gin's family still treat him like the Golden Boy they always have. So unfair.
I liked the voice used to tell the story, and as I said, it rang fairly true to me. What I found most disturbing was the fact that Gin's mother is an adolescent psychologist but doesn't see the signs of apathy and depression in her daughter. I guess that's probably realistic as well, but certainly sad.
I cringed a bit at Gin's small acts of defiance, such as an eyebrow piercing and dying her hair "Pimpin' Purple", but these are small things in the scheme of life and listening to Gin tell the tale made me realize how much little things like that can mean to a teenager. Doesn't mean I won't freak out if my daughter pierces her face, but I may freak out a little less.
bookhaulin's review against another edition
2.0
I know I've read this--I KNOW I have, but other than a vague memory of Virginia and all the GRAPHIC THINGS (I was...9? 10? when I read it. I don't even remember what I found so GASPGROWNUP about it) that I also can't remember, I've got no memory of the plot.
I think I liked it though.
Maybe.
I think I liked it though.
Maybe.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. What this YA novel does extremely well is voice. Virginia is a believable character as a teen girl who cracks up a little too easily, is curious about guys, and would really like herself if she wasn't constantly hearing from other girls, family members and cruel jokes on TV that she's fat and doesn't deserve to take up space in the universe. When the older brother she worships is convicted of date rape, she starts to rethink how people in her life talk about women, and how her family doesn't talk about anything full stop. There are some positive adults here (her favorite teacher, her feminist sister and her health-not-weight doctor) and some that never change (her appearances obsessed mother and misogynist brother), but I was surprised by how her relationship with her dad evolved. I also appreciated that her physical transformation was changing her clothes and hair to what she likes rather than losing a bunch of weight (she does shed her stress pounds, but stays in plus size territory).
The 2003 book has been revamped for 2017 (you can change up to 30% of a book and still keep the Printz) and on one level it works, but on another Virginia seems like a pre-#metoo teen who suddenly has Netflix.
Older teen book--some casual fooling around, rape references and language.
The 2003 book has been revamped for 2017 (you can change up to 30% of a book and still keep the Printz) and on one level it works, but on another Virginia seems like a pre-#metoo teen who suddenly has Netflix.
Older teen book--some casual fooling around, rape references and language.
offinherownmind's review against another edition
4.0
I am honestly surprised. I honestly did not expect this book to go where it did. I mean that in a good way. The conversations that this book had are entirely important. Living up to family expectations, date rape, not feeling like you belong, weight shaming, becoming healthy and not skinny, anorexia, and finding yourself. This was so much better than I anticipated
gjenn's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
aharman13's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good, easy read. Probably more of a 3.5 than a 3, but since that's not an option 3 it is.