Mackler, Carolyn. 2003. The Earth, My Butt and other Big Round Things. Cambridge, MA: CandleWick Press. ISBN: 0-7636-2091-2.
SUMMARY:
Fifteen-year old Ginny is goes to a private high school, is from a well-to-do family and she is fat. Ginny is very uncomfortable and self-conscious about it. She doesn't want anyone to see her body so she wears over-size clothes and does not allow her "make-out" buddy to touch her. Ginny has her own set of "Fat Girl Code of Conduct" that she lives by. Her mother is an adolescent psychologist and is constantly nagging on Ginny about her weight. Her dad is hardly around. Her sister is in the Peace Corp (actually to escape their mother). her big brother is home having been kick out of school for date rape. Ginny finally stand up for herself, stands up to her mother and finds the self-confidence she was lacking.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Ginny's character is identifiable with teen girls going through the same thing, Even through her humor, one can see over-weight teen girls giggling wile reading this book. Even though the setting of this book is Manhattan, it not very well used to develop the story. Meaning, after the setting is set and is not part of the story, it could be taken for granted that this story can happen everywhere. The plot may be exaggerated a bit, but it is still believable in Ginny's character. The Earth,... is written in first-person and in keeping up with today's technology, Ginny uses e-mail and she also uses a journal in her narrative.
LITERARY CRITERIA:
The plot of The Earth, ..., is very believable. One can visualize Ginny and what is happening to her. Her character allows the reader to feel her thoughts and feelings. As noted above, the setting is not well defined and can lead the reader that the story can happen everywhere. Written in the first person, Ginny also uses email and journal to tell her story. Although, this story is about an over-weight teen girl, and will obviously appeal to this general audience, the humor and how Ginny's character looks at her life and what she is going through and how she handles herself will appeal to others.
STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:
Ginny's character is the strength of this book. Her outlook on life, though her own, will enchant any reader.
One weakness is on Ginny's character thinking about self-mutilation and is not really developed.
AWARDS AND OTHER REVIEWS:
Michael L. Printz Award for Honor Book
American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
From Booklist:
"But Mackler writes with such insight and humor (sometimes using strong language to make her point) that many readers will immediately identify with Virginia's longings as well as her fear and loathing. Her gradually evolving ability to stand up to her family is hard won and not always believable, but it provides a hopeful ending for those trying stand on their own two feet."
Ilene Cooper Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
From School Library Journal:
"Some passages are very well done, but the book has an uneven quality in prose style and character development. Told through first-person narrative, journal entries, and e-mail, Virginia's story will interest readers who are looking for one more book with teen angst, a bit of romance, and a kid who is a bit like them or their friends."
Gail Richmond, San Diego Unified Schools, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
FAVORITE LINES/ PASSAGES:
The Fat Girl's Code of Conduct
BOOK HOOK:
Curriculum themes: Self- confidence, self-worth, self-acceptance, date rape, eating disorders, self-mutilation.
SUMMARY:
Fifteen-year old Ginny is goes to a private high school, is from a well-to-do family and she is fat. Ginny is very uncomfortable and self-conscious about it. She doesn't want anyone to see her body so she wears over-size clothes and does not allow her "make-out" buddy to touch her. Ginny has her own set of "Fat Girl Code of Conduct" that she lives by. Her mother is an adolescent psychologist and is constantly nagging on Ginny about her weight. Her dad is hardly around. Her sister is in the Peace Corp (actually to escape their mother). her big brother is home having been kick out of school for date rape. Ginny finally stand up for herself, stands up to her mother and finds the self-confidence she was lacking.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
Ginny's character is identifiable with teen girls going through the same thing, Even through her humor, one can see over-weight teen girls giggling wile reading this book. Even though the setting of this book is Manhattan, it not very well used to develop the story. Meaning, after the setting is set and is not part of the story, it could be taken for granted that this story can happen everywhere. The plot may be exaggerated a bit, but it is still believable in Ginny's character. The Earth,... is written in first-person and in keeping up with today's technology, Ginny uses e-mail and she also uses a journal in her narrative.
LITERARY CRITERIA:
The plot of The Earth, ..., is very believable. One can visualize Ginny and what is happening to her. Her character allows the reader to feel her thoughts and feelings. As noted above, the setting is not well defined and can lead the reader that the story can happen everywhere. Written in the first person, Ginny also uses email and journal to tell her story. Although, this story is about an over-weight teen girl, and will obviously appeal to this general audience, the humor and how Ginny's character looks at her life and what she is going through and how she handles herself will appeal to others.
STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES:
Ginny's character is the strength of this book. Her outlook on life, though her own, will enchant any reader.
One weakness is on Ginny's character thinking about self-mutilation and is not really developed.
AWARDS AND OTHER REVIEWS:
Michael L. Printz Award for Honor Book
American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
From Booklist:
"But Mackler writes with such insight and humor (sometimes using strong language to make her point) that many readers will immediately identify with Virginia's longings as well as her fear and loathing. Her gradually evolving ability to stand up to her family is hard won and not always believable, but it provides a hopeful ending for those trying stand on their own two feet."
Ilene Cooper Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
From School Library Journal:
"Some passages are very well done, but the book has an uneven quality in prose style and character development. Told through first-person narrative, journal entries, and e-mail, Virginia's story will interest readers who are looking for one more book with teen angst, a bit of romance, and a kid who is a bit like them or their friends."
Gail Richmond, San Diego Unified Schools, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
FAVORITE LINES/ PASSAGES:
The Fat Girl's Code of Conduct
BOOK HOOK:
Curriculum themes: Self- confidence, self-worth, self-acceptance, date rape, eating disorders, self-mutilation.
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