- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Walker Books Ltd (Feb 3 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0744590779
- ISBN-13: 978-0744590777
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 281 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #879,408 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
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.
Gail Richmond, San Diego Unified Schools, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Gail Richmond, San Diego Unified Schools, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
Gr. 7-10. Fifteen-year-old Viriginia Shreves is the blond, round, average daughter in a family of dark-haired, thin superstars. Her best friend has moved away, and she's on the fringes at her private Manhattan school. She wants a boyfriend, but she settles for Froggy Welsh, who comes over on Mondays to grope her. The story follows Virginia as she tries to lose weight, struggles with her "imperfections," and deals with the knowledge that her idealized older brother has committed date rape. There's a lot going on here, and some important elements, such as Virginia's flirtation with self-mutilation, are passed over too quickly. 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 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
: ) Me while reading it, : ) Me while reviewing it....,
By Ei "crzybookmoovielover" (Seekonk, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (Hardcover)
As I was perusing Amazon one night last week, I stumbled upon Carolyn Mackler's new novel, "The Earth, my butt, and other big round things." I took a 'look inside', and feel in love with Virginia Shreves, its' main character.I've never related so well to a fictional character so vividly before. All those feelings of no self worth or confidence came flooding back to me, and it was very real to me. Chapter one has Virginia lip locked with Froggy, a boy from school who has an hour to kill before his trombone lesson. They spend an hour in her bedroom kissing every Monday. When his hands start roaming, she pretty much sends him packing. I am not one to give much away in my reviews. I will tell you that you will laugh alot, most likely cry(i did), smile, and just love reading it. I am very happy I bought my own copy. As Virginia's story progresses and the 'perfect' shell of a family shatters, she is transformed. I loved this 'coming of age story'....
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Make sure you have time to read it all in one sitting!,
By "cassie_p" (WV USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (Hardcover)
I promise you, once you pick up this book you will not want to put it down. Virginia is a girl all teenage girls can easily relate to. She feels she isn't good enough and that she HAD to of been switched at birth. Virginia begins to rebel, and goes against her parent's rules. All teenagers, well girls at least, should read this book and know that to be loved, you have to be who you are.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dreaming of Books Review,
By
This review is from: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (Paperback)
This book was humorous and surprisingly had a lot of depth to the story. The story tackles many realistic and relatable teen issues and will leave teen readers with a positive message.The story is about Virginia who has always felt out of place in her seemingly perfect family. She's the overweight member of the family and strictly follows the Fat Girl Code of Conduct. It's been a rough couple of months for Virginia, with her best friend moving to the other side of the country and her mother always pressuring her to lose the weight. Even though her mother is an adolescent psychologist, there is very little communication in the Shreves household. Many of the family issues are not openly discussed. Also because Virginia's mother had weight issues when she was younger, she is especially critical with Virginia's weight. This is Virginia's coming of age story as she finds her identity and realizes that her perfect family might not be so perfect after all.
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