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Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time

Book Summary

Reviewed by Terreece Clarke

Gert has some issues. Her crush Lucas doesn't really know she's into him, her best friend Adam keeps dragging her out on dates with his crush Tim, her eyebrows are bushy, and her parents are old. All she can really do is rant and rave about the despair that is high school -- and she does it well.

Is It Any Good?

5

Gert Garibaldi is traumatized by high school. She spends her days trying to navigate the awkwardness, the popular kids, the insane teachers, crushes, and dating. So she rants and raves through it all, in a voice that is very honest, real, and hilarious. Amber Kizer captures the feelings of being a 15-year-old girl with remarkable accuracy and compassion. What starts off as a somewhat conventional teen angst story grows into a tale about a girl becoming comfortable with herself. The pace is terrific and the ending, though great, will leave readers wanting more.

Readers will enjoy and commiserate with Gert's laments over being the third wheel on her best friend's dates and her parents' general cluelessness. They will understand her rants over boys, hypocritical teachers, and the effort of trying to fit into a world in which some kids seem to have gotten a guide book and others are left to fend for themselves. Parents will sympathize and remember what it was like to be 15; the awkwardness that gives way to self-awareness. Teens and parents will find much to discuss, and what better way to bridge the tough topics than through this frank and witty read.

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