ritareadstrash's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I saw a lot of myself in this book, as I was a fat dancer. I think Jen Larsen did an amazing job building the emotional conflict of being dressed in next to nothing for class and performance, but being told to cover up. How wearing the same thing as your classmates is vulgar from your cleavage and curves, but they chose the costume. How you're told to watch your weight, but also celebrate the strength of your body. All of these conflicting messages are coming as your body is still developing. I think this book has fabulous fat rep, and I'm very glad it's exists for teens today.
I'm not saying it's perfect, as I think it tried to tackle a LOT, in just over 300 pages. For as much trouble as the girls went through for their actions, I find it hard to believe a student who was very publicly identified, would have zero consequences for sending unsolicited dick pics, to a classmate.
I'll leave you with this quote about the impact of microaggressions, from a fabulous side character
"It's like a million tiny cuts that never scar, because the cuts keep coming. They're reminders that I'm living in a world that doesn't love me, that is actively built to reject me, remind me that I'm not white and that is the ugliest thing about me. Next ugliest is being a Black woman who knows she's beautiful."
I'm not saying it's perfect, as I think it tried to tackle a LOT, in just over 300 pages. For as much trouble as the girls went through for their actions, I find it hard to believe a student who was very publicly identified, would have zero consequences for sending unsolicited dick pics, to a classmate.
I'll leave you with this quote about the impact of microaggressions, from a fabulous side character
"It's like a million tiny cuts that never scar, because the cuts keep coming. They're reminders that I'm living in a world that doesn't love me, that is actively built to reject me, remind me that I'm not white and that is the ugliest thing about me. Next ugliest is being a Black woman who knows she's beautiful."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Bullying, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexism
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