Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers - ALA Banned and Challenged Books

Some Girls Are

I couldn't get into the book, but I tried and made it about 3/4 of the way through.

I couldn't empathize with the main character. Nor could I sympathize.I wasn't a bully (though we all have times of bullying through the heard,) nor was I bullied in high school. I didn't let it get that far. The drug and alcohol abuse in the book wasn't believable for when I was in high school, nor for the people I spoke with who are currently in high school.

Each new page for me was a cringe. Adults seemed aloof and involved with BLATANT abuse within the school. They didn't follow up with the student in question that had been good students then skipping suddenly. No follow up with rumours that were spreading. No follow up with rotting MEAT in a locker of a student.

None.

No peep.

Even in the school systems where I live that are lower-income or no, staff and faculty would follow up with at least one or ALL of the issues addressed above.

I feel the school and adults in the book aren't believable, as well as the relationship(s) Regina has "post-breakup."

I usually adore YA novels and can easily see this, that, and the other thing happening.

This one, unfortunately, was not my cup of tea.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anybody. I see it as just perpetuating abuse, addiction, sexual and physical violence, and no good ways to get through the bullying as the bullied or bully.

On Good Reads I give this star a 1 and a "tried and didn't finish."



This book was on the Banned and Challenged list 2015-2016 for the following:

Pulled from the freshmen Honors English I summer reading list at West Ashley High School in Charleston, S.C. (2015) after a parent complained about the novel’s dark and explicit content. The book is about a high school senior who is ostracized and bullied by her former friends after she reports an attempted rape by a popular boy.

https://www.ila.org/initiatives/banned-books-week/books-challenged-or-banned-in-2015-2016 

Tell Out Story, I Will by Jeanne Lee

Wow.

It has been a while since I updated a post about books. I am hoping to get into the habit again. I have read an abundant amount of books that I want to make sure I remember that I read, and the following is one of those books!

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Jeanne and learn some about her sons prior to hearing about her book relating to the eldest, Zack, and the family's growth with learning to work with his Autism diagnosis.

Tell Our Story, I Will reflects the world that a mother, and family, goes through when figuring out their children, coming into the world of medical diagnosis, treatments and "cures," as well as navigating puberty, social skills, every-day life skills, and communication.

I love the straight-forwardness of the book form Jeanne's POV. She details her own thoughts and struggles, the passion she has for her children, the courage and assistance she gained from various people in her life, and an informative view into Zack's life through bits of his own words, emails, phone calls, and texts.

Just as Jeanne stated in her book, there is a lot of scary technical data and books out there for people starting to learn about their emotional and mental health, and when dealing with some so young, we strive to hear about some of the good that is out there. With raising any child, there are ups and downs, and I think this book is a great way to hear "take one day at a time and learn a few tricks from the one(s) you're learning with."

I am looking forward to hearing more about Zack's antics and the family's life as they all continue to grow together.

Thanks, Jeanne for this amazing book and a look into your personal life. It was a fantastic read and I wish you all the best.