The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

Today’s post is on The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler. It is the first in her The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things series. It is 256 pages long and is published by Candlewick Press. The cover has a butt on it with the title stitched into her jean pocket. The intended reader is young adult. There is mild foul language, talk of sex, sexuality, and rape but there is no violence in this book. The story is told from first person close of the main character, Virginia. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Fifteen-year-old Virginia Shreves has a larger-than-average body and a plus-size inferiority complex, especially when she compares herself to her slim, brilliant, picture-perfect family. But that’s before a shocking phone call — and a horrifying allegation — about her rugby-star brother changes everything. With irreverent humor and surprising gravity, Carolyn Mackler creates an endearingly blunt heroine who speaks to every teen who struggles with family expectations, and proves that the most impressive achievement is to be true to yourself.

Review- A compelling coming of age story for a modern audience. Virginia is very relatable character, she worries about her weight, her grades, that she doesn’t feel like she fits into her family of thin, brown haired smart people. Add into trying to have some kind of relationship with a boy when she believes that no boy would want to be seen with her in public you have enough drama. But then her beloved older brother date rapes a girl. Virginia is forced to really look at her family, herself, and the world she lives in. The subjects handled where handled with care and respect to the readers, honestly but not overly descriptive. Virginia talks about how knowing her brother could do something like made her feel about herself, him, and boys in general. She makes mistakes but learns to own up to them. I enjoyed this book greatly and I think that it has a place in our ongoing conversation about consent. I am curious about where the sequel is going to go from the end of the first book.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.