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Perfect: A Novel
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Perfect: A Novel
Author: Natasha Friend

Book Information
Publisher: Milkweed Editions
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9781571316516 - ISBN-10: 1571316515
Publication Date: 9/16/2004
Pages: 232
Reading Level: Ages 9-12


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover

Book Description:
Isabelle Lee has a problem, and it's not just Ape Face, her sister, or group therapy for an eating disorder, or even that her father died and her mother is depressed and in denial. It's that Ashley, the most popular girl in school, is inviting Isabelle to join her at lunch and at sleepovers at her house, and this is presenting Isabelle with a dilemma. Pretty Ashley has moved Isabelle up the social ladder, but is it worth keeping the secret they share? Caught in the orbit of popularity and appearances, Isabelle must navigate a world with mixed messages, false hopes, and potentially harmful turns, while coping with her own flailing family and emotions. The author brings a depth of characterization, humor, and a real adolescent's voice to this multileveled story about the desire to be perfect in an imperfect world.

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Top Member Book Reviews

Victoria C. (vickielee) wrote on 12/20/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

An amazing book that shows just because a person appears perfect and has no problems or troubles does not mean that it is so. Isabelle represents a very real girl in a very real situation. She transforms through the book in a very positive way making it a fantastic read with a very real message.

Anna O. (snoopy) wrote on 1/4/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I think this book was aimed at a younger audience...because I thought the book was a little pre-teenish (It was too easy to read and I was unsatisfied when I finished). So it's very good for teenagers but not interesting (or surprising) enough for most adults I think.

Chelsea C. wrote on 1/1/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Not a great book for those with an eating disorder. Read like a story, without information about the disease or information on getting help or understanding it from an outsiders view point.

Sarah A. (bonga) wrote on 4/3/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

About a young girl with an eating disorder who who takes some interesting and petentially harmful turns. teen read

Lisa C. (CaSaundraLeigh) wrote on 3/19/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book is a great book for teens!

Hannah H. (Han1202) wrote on 11/6/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I'm not going to lie, this book is very different and can be very disturbing concerning eating disorders but it was a pretty good book.

Rachel T. wrote on 8/9/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I think this one is more geared at younger teens.

Kim K. (wintersqt4ever) wrote on 7/27/2005...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I didn't really like this book, but that doesn't mean you won't.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Coley R. (carolinagamecock) wrote on 6/26/2006...


The story of a bulimic girl who discovers that everyone has problems.

Melissa B. (Missy) wrote on 10/26/2005...


Since Isabelle's father died, she is having a hard time coping with her emotions. She turns to bulimia in an attempt to regain control of her life, and winds up in "Eating Disorder and Body Image Therapy" group. She is amazed when Ashley Barnum, the prettiest, most popular girl in her grade is in the group as well, because she feels her life is perfect. Isabelle learns that more than appearances matter as she gets to know Ashley as a person, and realizes that learning to cope with your sadness is a part of growing up. This would be a great book to read with a pre-teen daughter as a springboard for the questions she may have but is afraid to ask. This book is geared for a young adult audience, but I enjoyed it very much. If you enjoy sad, funny reads, "Perfect" would be an excellent selection for you.


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