Adored this book! Witty, charming, laugh-out-loud funny, yet so very real and empathetic
High school sophomore Greer Walsh is a whiz at Math, AP History, and sarcasm. But when it comes to self-confidence and her body, she feels like a failure. Faced with a size-H chest, she struggles to find bras that make her feel comfortable, shirts that make her feel comfortable, and social situations that make her feel comfortable. She's hyper-aware of how she looks and how others may (or may not) perceive her. So she relies on her trusty oversized sweatshirts and her dad's t-shirts to cover herself as much as possible, both physically and psychologically. When she meets new kid Jackson Oates, she finds someone who enjoys her witty banter just as much as her best friend, Maggie, does. But is it possible for him to see past her bra size to really like her for ALL of her? Is it possible for anyone to see past her bra size? She can't find a cute bra at the mall, her volleyball uniform doesn't fit at all, and she's forced to buy a sports bra off the internet with more straps than a straight-jacket in order to bump and serve. High school can be a tough place where emotions run high and judgement is quick and harsh. In a world made for A, B, and C cups, will she be able to fit in?
Thoughts: I ADORED this book! The witty banter, realistic social situations, and way-too-spot-on body image issues soothed my inner teenager who always thought people were looking at her and judging her -- even though they most likely weren't and I didn't have size H breasts to worry about. As a former D/DD cup, life could be difficult when it came to finding flattering clothes and when playing a game of pool. Forget one-piece bathing suits -- who makes those things, anyway?! Clearly people who have no idea how most women's bodies are not exactly proportional. And author Laura Zimmermann captures this life perfectly through 15-year-old Greer Walsh. With lines like, "...you can only touch someone's stomach for so long before you move your hand up and eureka! you've discovered the Rockies. You're lost in the Himalayas, which are inhospitable to life and give you altitude sickness. ...no one vacations at Everest. They scale it, snap a photo, and try to get the hell out alive with a good story to post," and, "I don't have the stiff look I usually do in a picture, when I'm so uncomfortable that someone is permanently recording what I'm wearing and how I'm standing. I look happy. Just plain happy. My hair and face are all 7:06 a.m. on a Sunday, but still, it looks exactly how I feel. It's how I wish I looked all the time," Zimmerman captures humor, realism, and compassion all at the same time. I found myself reading interactions between Greer and Jackson, as well as several lines of Greer's inner monologues, to my husband and friends because there were so many laugh-out-loud funny parts. And Jackson has issues of his own revolving around his family moving so often that both he and his little sister show signs of lingering effects. Jackson is so likable, but he's learned he has to be when he's constantly thrust into new school after new school. His little sister, Quinlan, is in 3rd grade and already suffers from depression and has become a bit of a klepto thanks to separation anxiety issues. This is a very real story with humor but also with sadness and difficult moments many teenagers may find themselves facing. I'm looking forward to sharing this book with my high school students. It's a charming read that so many young adult readers can relate to, regardless of gender identification.
Thoughts: I ADORED this book! The witty banter, realistic social situations, and way-too-spot-on body image issues soothed my inner teenager who always thought people were looking at her and judging her -- even though they most likely weren't and I didn't have size H breasts to worry about. As a former D/DD cup, life could be difficult when it came to finding flattering clothes and when playing a game of pool. Forget one-piece bathing suits -- who makes those things, anyway?! Clearly people who have no idea how most women's bodies are not exactly proportional. And author Laura Zimmermann captures this life perfectly through 15-year-old Greer Walsh. With lines like, "...you can only touch someone's stomach for so long before you move your hand up and eureka! you've discovered the Rockies. You're lost in the Himalayas, which are inhospitable to life and give you altitude sickness. ...no one vacations at Everest. They scale it, snap a photo, and try to get the hell out alive with a good story to post," and, "I don't have the stiff look I usually do in a picture, when I'm so uncomfortable that someone is permanently recording what I'm wearing and how I'm standing. I look happy. Just plain happy. My hair and face are all 7:06 a.m. on a Sunday, but still, it looks exactly how I feel. It's how I wish I looked all the time," Zimmerman captures humor, realism, and compassion all at the same time. I found myself reading interactions between Greer and Jackson, as well as several lines of Greer's inner monologues, to my husband and friends because there were so many laugh-out-loud funny parts. And Jackson has issues of his own revolving around his family moving so often that both he and his little sister show signs of lingering effects. Jackson is so likable, but he's learned he has to be when he's constantly thrust into new school after new school. His little sister, Quinlan, is in 3rd grade and already suffers from depression and has become a bit of a klepto thanks to separation anxiety issues. This is a very real story with humor but also with sadness and difficult moments many teenagers may find themselves facing. I'm looking forward to sharing this book with my high school students. It's a charming read that so many young adult readers can relate to, regardless of gender identification.