Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Helpful Score: 2
Virginia Shreves is certain that she was accidentally switched at birth. That's the only way she can account for the differences between her and her parents and two older siblings. She's sure that somewhere in the Tri-State area there's an obese, blond-haired, pop-culture-loving family wondering why they have a slim, brown-haired, and culturally enlightened daughter. Because that's what Virginia knows she is. Fat.
Being fat is a huge handicap for Virginia. She can't make her weekly make-out trysts with Froggy Welsh the Fourth into a serious relationship. She is fearful of imposing herself upon unfriendly classmates, and so she's all alone this year, her best friend Shannon having gone to Walla Walla for the year.
Then Virginia gets some news that shatters all of her beliefs. While her family struggles to pretend everything is normal, Virginia has had enough. It's time for Virginia to begin to love herself.
It's hard to summarize up this extremely good story in a few short sentences. Virginia's tale is a hearty cry for self-acceptance. Thoroughly believable and utterly uplifting, don't miss this great book.
Being fat is a huge handicap for Virginia. She can't make her weekly make-out trysts with Froggy Welsh the Fourth into a serious relationship. She is fearful of imposing herself upon unfriendly classmates, and so she's all alone this year, her best friend Shannon having gone to Walla Walla for the year.
Then Virginia gets some news that shatters all of her beliefs. While her family struggles to pretend everything is normal, Virginia has had enough. It's time for Virginia to begin to love herself.
It's hard to summarize up this extremely good story in a few short sentences. Virginia's tale is a hearty cry for self-acceptance. Thoroughly believable and utterly uplifting, don't miss this great book.
Jourdana C. (Terebithia) reviewed The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An excellent look into the teenage plus-size mind!
JoLaine D. (queenmother) reviewed The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things on + 110 more book reviews
Grade 7-10-Sophomore Virginia Shreves lives in Manhattan and attends a prestigious private school. She lives by her Fat Girl Code of Conduct. She has a budding romance with Froggy the Fourth, but she doesn't want his wandering hands to feel her fat. Her baggy clothing helps her to "hide." Her mother, Dr. Phyllis Shreves, is an adolescent psychologist obsessed with her imperfect daughter's weight, and her father is rarely around. Her older sister joined the Peace Corps to escape mom, and brother Byron is big man on the Columbia campus-until he's suspended for date rape. Finally, Virginia stands up to her mother and takes charge of her life. Strong points in the novel are the issue of date rape and its consequences and, however glossed over, eating disorders. Parental pressure is overdone. Mom and dad are stereotypical of adults so involved in themselves that they cannot see their child for who she is. 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.
Elizabeth X. (brexcrafts) reviewed The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things on + 28 more book reviews
I read this book a while ago at the library, but I do remember that I, and all of my friends who I force-fed it to (ha ha), loved it. It has a very well rounded plot.
A good easy read. This book always makes me want to go to Seattle.
GREAT BOOK!!! soooo good especially for girls in middle school and high school!
This book is VERY good! The first line of it makes you wanna laugh! I read this book and feel in love with all the people! I told 3 diffent friends about this book and they both went and got it and LOVED IT!!! One friend picked this book to to a report on it, gave the name of book to the teacher before reading it. She had to get up infront of the whole class and talk about it. If you have read this book you kno why I set in the back and laughed at her the whole time! lol
Shannon B. (mzzbarnes) reviewed The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things on + 20 more book reviews
This book about an overweight teen just tells it like it is in her own words. It is easy to read and funny/sad at the same time. I could actually reread this one!
