This book offers an honest picture into the life of Virginia Shreves, a young girl tormented by her body and weight,
the pressures of her family, and the ideallic images she holds of everyone around her. When Virginia's brother is accused
of date rape, she must evaulate why she held him in such esteem and how his actions will affect her life.
As you read Virginia's narrative, it is easy to see that all that torments her is real. She is overweight, she
has an overbearing mother who is also absent and aloof, and she feels inferior when compared to every other girl her age.
The question this novel asks is, so what? Even if all of these things are happening to Virginia Shreves - what is SHE
going to do to combat them? Readers see many failed attempts, such as pinching her fat flesh in punishment, burning
her finger in self abuse, dieting, overeating, and starvation. It isn't until Virginia defies her mother by buying tickets
to Seattle for Thanksgiving, that she begins to make some subtle changes in her life. The changes, such as eyebrow piercings,
hair color and changes in her clothing begin to change Virginia's outer shell, which inturn begins to affect her self image.
In the end of the novel, Virginia makes a meaningful change in her life. She answers the question of the book -
so what is she going to do with her less than perfect body and family? Virginia begins embracing herself, which leads
to more confidence and spunk in dealing with school and family matters. Brabander argues that "Virginia's transition
from an insecure girl desperate for her family's approval to a confident young woman might be a little messagey" (Brabander
2003). I didn't feel it was messagey at all - after all, the change was not over night and Byron's situation caused
immediate despair and then a dire need for a change. It was really Byron's mistakes that led to Virginia's change -
primarily taking other people off pedastals and perhaps putting her own self on one.
This book will resonate with the young adult audience because of the candidness of the main character. Virginia
is not only believable but also very likeable. Her viewpoints are classically teenage and self absorbed but also very
truthful and insightful- all true assets in this novel.
Mackler, Carolyn. The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick
Press, 2003
Brabander, Jennifer M. "The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things." Horn Book Magazine 79, no.
5 (2003): 614.
