My
name is Sam Marollo, I am currently an elementary teaching assistant at a
school in Penfield and my goal is to work as a 3rd grade teacher promoting the
mystery and magic of reading to my students. This is the first year I have ever
heard of the Teen Book Festival.
However, from what I have learned, I can’t wait to go this year and be a
part of all the fun. As I am sure you already know, TBF fans, getting to meet
some of the brilliant minds who craft these stories is something you don’t get
the opportunity to do very often.
TBF
Readers, I have to tell you that I have come to believe that the best books are
those that include characters or situations that are unfamiliar, and sometimes
uncomfortable. With a helpful recommendation from my professor, I choose the
book The
Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler. To
be completely honest, when I first read the title “my butt” I actually giggled
quite a bit. How many books have I ever
read that has “my butt” in the title? None, to be exact. Once I started reading
the book though, I learned that not everything is a joking matter.
The
main character, Virginia is an average teenager, with average problems, below
average social status, and above average expectations from her family. She
excels in school, but friends and boys seem to be more complex than string
theory. She can’t seem to control her eating habits (but let’s be honest, with
a sundae in front of you and some brownies in the fridge, the conflict of
self-control is similar to finding $100 on the ground and walking away) which
leads her to all sorts of struggles. As if Virginia’s struggle with her own
body image wasn’t enough of a problem, another catastrophe happens. This time though, the issue is with her
formerly perfect older brother.
Now,
at this point some of you readers might be thinking, “oh this is a book for
girls.” I want to make it clear that I
think this is a book that young men and women should read and discuss together.
This is a book about all kinds of struggles. Struggles that I will estimate 10
out of 10 young adults are fighting every day of the week: the struggle with
relationships, with family, with breaking through the social barriers in
school. In addition, there is the most significant struggle, understanding that
a person has a right to say “no.” Any reader can gain insight into how people
can feel so vulnerable and helpless in relationships, especially if there is
not communication.
Now
readers don’t get me wrong. While Virginia’s story can be depressing and
somewhat difficult to read, it has so many parts where I felt overwhelmingly
happy or I just laughed out loud. The very first passage, Virginia explains
that a boy has just officially touched her chest! What better why is there to
reel you in right away? By the end of the story, Virginia will have you wanting
to go do something you’ve never done before! Something spontaneous and
wonderful that will make you happy to be you.
It is a quick read that will keep
your attention, so check the Monroe County
library catalog
where it’s available, hopefully a bunch of people are checking it out, so you
may have to check a few libraries!
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