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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Me, In Between


Me, In Between by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Rating: 5 stars

Lacey Underhill is a 12-year-old girl who has what her Dutch grandmother refers to as luxe problemen: luxury problems. These problems being her breasts. At just age 12 (and in 8th grade because she skipped a grade) she's already at a size 36C. Girls (including her best friend) are jealous and boys never stop teasing her about them so of course she's self conscious. Whenever she's out in public she wears more than necessary just to try to cover up her breasts.

Then one day while playing in the arcade at the mall she meets Chad Wilcox, a 16-year-old boy that is just taken with her right away and not even because of her breasts! She is of course entirely thrilled about this and doesn't even really care that he's 4 years older than her. Though her best friend Margot thinks that she's making a big mistake just thinking about getting involved with the guy.

Just a few days later Lacey's old best friend Sam Samuels moves back in to town. Sam and Lacey have known each other since they were babies so Lacey is super excited to have him back, except for one little problem: her breasts. Sam wasn't around during the years when she developed the monstrosities so she feels she has to cover them up or Sam will think differently of her.

Then Lacey's grandmother, Nana Anna, gets sick and ends up in the hospital. Lacey feels guilty for always lying to her grandma about seeing an older guy and soon everything that's happening starts to catch up with her. Luckily Sam and Margot are there for her. And maybe, just maybe, Sam could be there for her in a different way if only Lacey would realize it.

This was such a cute book! From the first page I was hooked and finished it within a day. Lacey is just such a neat girl and you can't help but feel bad for her and her over sized chest. The way she's constantly teased by the boys in her school is just awful. When Chad showed up for the first time I just couldn't help but be happy that she was finally realized for more than just her chest! I really liked the way Lauren wrote from Lacey's point of view. The thoughts were perfect for a 12-year-old girl. The ending was also really cute. If you're looking for a quick cute read then this is the book for you.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?


Does This Book Make Me Look Fat? (an anthology)
Edited by Marissa Walsh

Rating: 5 stars :)

With fourteen stories and personal essays written by popular authors such as Sara Zarr, Carolyn Mackler, Ellen Hopkins, etc. this book is quite amazing. The stories all focus on the weight and body image issues that most everyone has at one point in their life. Whether it's feeling overweight or thinking you're too skinny, how you feel that your breasts are either way too small or way too big, everyone has issues with their bodies.

Not much else I can really say about this book. I actually loved each and every one of the stories, and that really surprised me. I thought at least one or two of them I probably wouldn't end up liking. I'd recommend this book to anyone who has issues with their body and even to people who don't. Every single story is just written so well. I didn't want to finish the last one when I got to it. The only thing wrong with this book: it should have been longer!