 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things
- By Carolyn Mackler
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Funny overweight girl goes through some heavy stuff.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book deals with some sensitive subjects, such as self-injury, eating disorders, and controlling parents. Most importantly, Virginia discovers that the brother she has always admired is guilty of date rape. Despite the sometimes heavy material, Virginia can be a funny character who relates her coming-of-age story in first-person, along with emails and journal entries. Parents may not always appreciate Virginia's choices -- like getting her eyebrow pierced without permission -- but she is a character that teens can relate to, and they will certainly respect her growing ability to stand up for herself.
What's the story?
Overweight Virginia thinks she's a misfit in her family, with two thin, gorgeous, successful parents and two thin, gorgeous, high-achieving older siblings. Her mother pressures her to lose weight, which she tries to do. But her anxiety leads her to minor acts of self-mutilation, as she tries to live by her Fat Girl Code of Conduct, which operates on the basic assumption that she is worthless. Then her brother, Byron, whom she idolizes, is suspended from college for date rape, and Virginia begins to see both her family and herself in a different light.
Is it any good?
Readers, especially teen girls, will likely relate to Virginia, and they will certainly respect her growing ability to stand up for herself. Though this book could use a bit more scathing humor -- and a deeper exploration of some of the more serious issues it raises -- Mackler is able to impart a message of self-acceptance through her self-deprecating narrator. Readers will appreciate the emails and journal entries that add realism to Virginia's coming-of-age story.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the pressure Virginia's parents put on her to be thin. How do her feelings change throughout the book? Parents may want to check out Common Sense Media's tips for talking to girls about body image.
This book deals with some heavy themes, such as date rape and self mutilation. What do you think of the way the author handles these topics? Does it surprise you to see this material in a book for young adults, or is it realistic?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
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.
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AGE
LOVE!
I loved this book. It's great and makes you relize you don't have to be a size 0 to be loved. Also good for those size 0's to get good insight on how those other girls feel. a must-read for any teen or pre-teen girl.
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April 9, 2008
AGE
Not age appropriate
While this book may have a good message for teens, self esteem and what not, it is not a book for early teen readers. I was sickened by the rape event. This book is for a very mature reader. More appropriate for high school.
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AGE
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
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AGE
A must read for teenage girls
This book is a great way to show girls that self esteem comes from the inside out. In a world where so many young women are searching for the perfect body this book shows teenagers that they can be happy with the way that they look. Girls need more books like this one.
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AGE
i loved this book
the earth my butt and other big round things was such a great book! i really enjoyed it all though there was things in there like sex and language but people should, if they wanted to read it, they should be mature enough and look over it.
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AGE
A lot better than other Tween and Teen books
I found this in the Banned Book List and quickly checked it out. I read it and enjoyed the fast pace, the touch up on weight and Virginia's insecurity on it, eating disorders, and the frustration over image.
Through out most of the book, you see her struggle to be with her family, her mothers own denial (despite being a therapist), and how one event can change everyone's lives.
It is quite a short book, Virginia is able to grow up and learns how to define herself.
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| Author: | Carolyn Mackler |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Candlewick Press |
| Publication date: | February 19, 2004 |
| Number of pages: | 246 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 17 |
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