My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters (by Sydney Salter)
common sense media says
A teen's big nose leads to a big lesson in self-acceptance.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the book features a significant amount of underage drinking by the main character, her friends, and other students. Although the main character eventually accepts her appearance and decides she "confused sex with self-worth," she spends most of the book obsessed with her large nose and calculating her chances of dying a virgin.
Violence:
A drunk college student Jory dubs "Ass Grabber" grabs her butt and tries to grab her breasts, then pushes her against a wall. She screams and her friend comes to save her. Ass Grabber calls her, "You pathetic little tease."
Sex:
Jory often calculates her odds of dying a virgin; she wonders, "Can the desire to lose your virginity be a passion, in the creative sense of the word?" The girls obsess over boys. A boy tells Jory not to stare at his ass, then tells her it's his turn to check out hers. A college student takes Jory and her friend up to his room, which he tells them is called the "orgy room" because he has mattresses all over the floor. Jory often dresses in a "sexy mini." Jory's friend gets drunk at lunch and goes home with an older co-worker, which Jory says "Sounds like a recipe for date rape." Jory kisses a boy she knows at a party; he puts his hands under her bra and pushes her hand onto his penis. (She starts laughing and he gets angry, telling her she "acted like she wanted it.") Jory kisses her boyfriend; when things start to heat up, he tells her he has decided to stay a virgin in high school. Jory and her friends have a picture taken wearing a teddy and fishnet stockings.
Language:
"Pissed," "ass."
Consumerism:
There are several brand names mentioned of cars, bands, food, and household items.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Jory and her friends attend high school and college parties (uninvited) where there is drinking and drug use (a bong, passing a joint). Some teens drink excessively, to the point of vomiting. One boy drives after using a bong, despite seeming "pretty wasted." The main character drinks hard alcohol (creme de menthe and hard lemonade). Waitresses serve 17-year-olds chocolate martinis because 20-something law clerks vouch for them. At a fraternity party, Jory and her friend decide they "need something to drink to make us look older." Some guys chug beer from a tube. The girls drink hard lemonade. Jory's crush drinks from a pitcher of margaritas and offers her some, which she takes.
More on My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters
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Most useful reviews by all members
earthgurl
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
I enjoyed this
The title isnt very appealing, but it has a really good story. The main character, Jory, struggles with many insecurities and her nose. Good message.
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FutureMrs.John ...
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Good book, a very easy book. very enjoyable!
Great book, I read this book in less than a day, it was very enjoyable. All about a girl and her struggle with her 'big nose' and how her nose seems to make everything in her life bad. Another book like this is called FIX, if you like this book - read FIX next. OR if you've read FIX, you should also like My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters.
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AlinaW.
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Great easy read for teens!
Great little book about looks and images, and eventually accepting yourself for who you are. A little on the fluffy side, but a great easy-read for the beach, or a lazy day. Found some stuff to relate to here, and I think I'd reccomend it to others as a fluffy chick lit novel!
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