I really love this book! I read it when I was 16. It really made me look at my body in a different way! It gave me a little more self confidence! Fat girls are awesome too!
Tools for this page
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
(2004, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Carolyn Mackler)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Troublesome tale of overweight girl who's adrift.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–16
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
Parents need to know that among many things of concern here is the portrayal of getting a body piercing without parental permission as a way of rebelling against a controlling parent, as a positive, self-affirming act, which wins approval from everyone in the story except the unreasonable mother. Other issues raised -- but not really dealt with -- include date rape and and self-mutilation.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the issue of weight and how it can affect one's self-esteem. Do you think Virginia is right to feel the way she does about herself? How do you think you'd handle the situations she encouters if you were overweight?
Our Members Say
See all 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Inspiring!
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Fat Girls Unite
Virginia is a lot like me. We're both fat, sexually frustrated, face hardship socially, and don't get along well with our families. Big difference; Virginia is rich. I'm not. Otherwise, this book really helped me overcome my weight problem. It made me believe that even fat girls can be beautiful, fun, and loved by others. Though this hasn't neccessarily happened to me yet, I'm still hoping.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Matureity level is something to consider
This book was great. i think the book could be read by 11+ only if they are mature enough to read it i read it at that age and thought the book was great
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Negative role models
funny but a bit inappropriate
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you read it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
