23. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
ISBN: 0763619582
Candlewick, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2003
256 pages

Teaser: Surrounded by a thin, beautiful family, overweight Virginia struggles with a massive inferiority complex. Virginia has always wanted to fit in with the rest of her family, but will a shocking event make Virginia realize that her family members aren't as perfect as they seem?

Summary: Virginia is overweight and very aware of it. She also wants to learn how to kiss, and wants to experiment a little. She is very insecure, and has created something she calls the Fat Girl Code of Conduct. She created this list after hearing a cruel joke about fat girls being like mopeds: fun to ride as long as your friends don't see you. Virginia decides that the only way she can get a guy is if she is willing to "let him get the milk without having to buy the cow." (pg. 17). She wants to find a boyfriend and make out, but she doesn't think that any boy will want to actually have a relationship. Virginia's older sister is beautiful, thin, and accomplished, as is her older brother. Her father is rarely around much, and her mother is an adolescent psychologist with no time for her own family. The book starts with Virginia and her sort-of-boyfriend Froggy making out, with Froggy awkwardly trying to ask if he can touch her chest, while Virginia is worried that he might actually want her to take her shirt off. Virginia's weight worries are not helped by her mother's constant suggestions that she should see a doctor about her "nutrition."

Virginia ends up going on a crash diet, and receives praise from her family for her abrupt deprivation diet. Virginias diet ends when her seemingly perfect older brother is suspended from college when a girl reports him for date rape. Virginia can't cope with the stress and returns to binge eating as a coping method, while trying to understand why her parent's won't talk about the date rape and are pretending everything is fine. Virginia ends up rebelling against her parents, and eventually she talks to her doctor again, and decides to try being more true to herself, rather than to the wishes of those around her. Things after this seem to click into place, and eventually Virginia starts losing weight through a combination of improved eating habits and a kickboxing class. She also comes to realize that the boy she was seeing actually likes her, and had only been ignoring her in public because he thought that was what she wanted, not because he was ashamed of her. She even starts a website with several friends as a way to express herself and allow other teens to get their feelings out. By accepting herself, Virginia ends up being able to change her life for the better.

Evaluation: I liked the first parts of the book, they really did feel gritty and realistic. Seeing how unhealthy Virginia's choices were, and seeing her reasons for her actions was really an eye-opener. I thought the end of the book was a little too good to be true, with Virginia suddenly getting her life in order and things falling into place almost immediately. I think that the simplicity of the ending will probably ring false for some teens, despite the good intentions. Fat girls reading this book are likely to already know what the book tells us: diet and exercise are the key to losing weight and staying healthy. However, I also think that the first parts of the book are valuable, as it helps highlight some of the emotions and unhealthy actions in such a way that girls may be able to see themselves, and realize even before the ending that their own actions might be just as unhealthy. Overall, I think this book is well-written, and a good recommendation for teens, especially girls with image issues. I just worry that the quick and easy happily ever after ending might be too simplistic for teens to take seriously, and that the ending might make some cynical teens disregard the entire message from the rest of the book.

Challenge issues: The main character is overweight, and is very body conscious. Crash dieting, peer and family pressure, and beauty ideals all play a large role in this book. A brief mention of bulimia makes an appearance as well. Teenage sexuality is also a large topic, at least in regards to kissing and a little bit of above-the-waist groping. The main character's brother date rapes a girl, which throws the main character into turmoil, while the rest of the family pretends there is no problem. Some tough topics are touched on, and teen sexuality plays a large role in this book. However, Virginia never goes past kissing and canoodling, the date rape is not explicit, and I think that the messages about body image and health are valuable and well presented. I think this book would probably be a valuable read for teens in high school, though I would be fine with middle school students reading the book if it were part of an assignment where they could discuss the more difficult topics.