Perfect
By Natasha Friend
172 pages
4/5
This book was really short, but it gave me a lot to think about. It shows you that a person who is, lets say, really good looking and was really nice; you might think their life is perfect. You wish more than anything to be like them. But as you get to know the person, it turns out that no matter how perfect they seem to be, they can be dealing with a really hard life, at home where you do not see them. But since their perfect-ness seems to overpower what is bad about their life, you think they have the best life ever.
Isabelle Lee, the main character, has an eating disorder. She binges (eats a lot of food) and then makes herself throw it all up afterwards. It started two summers ago, when her father died. She has been keeping it a secret for the whole time. But then her bratty little sister, April (aka Ape Face), tells their mother.
Isabelle's mom makes her go to a support group for girls with eating disorders, which is called Group. She hates the idea. She doesn't think it will help at all. At Group, there aren't many people, but everybody is completely different. Short, tall, fat, skinny, whatever. And in walks... Ashley Barnum. She is the prettiest, most popular girl in her eighth grade. And she's in Group. But... Isabelle doesn't believeit. Ashley is perfect. She's got the looks, the body, the guys, the everything. Well it seems that way. Isabelle gets to know Ashley (she had never talked to her before), and still doubts she really needs group support.
Later on in the book, as they become better friends, they start talking about more private things. Things about how their families are both screwed up. Both of them. Isabelle realizes that she is not the only one who has a weird family, and that Ashley is not the perfect girl everyone thinks she is.
Some parts were really scary. not like horror movie kind of scary, but scary. Like when the author described how she stuck her finger down her throat (*barf barf barf!!*so nasty!!)to make herself throw up all the food she ate. Described. As in how she felt her stomach contract and everything.
By the way it was written, how real it was, it made me wonder if the author had had an eating disorder before. Or maybe she just did a lot of research. (It's like how I thought the book Candy - By Kevin Brooks was so real that I thought the author had done drugs before. Great book. Read it.) In the back, there was a list called Ten Steps to a Psitive Body Image and information about eating disorders, and how to get help if you have an eating disorder.
Great book. Highly recommend it. But not for guys, though (just look at it. the cover is all pink.). This is a great book about what true beauty really is, and that nobody is perfect -- no matter how much it seems like they are. This book is a super quick read, readable in just over an hour, and isn't the kind of book that you just finish and put away without thinking about it at all.
i think this book is so short because it's not the story they want you to concentrate on. They want you to recognize the situation, and what eating disorders do to you. It's a "finish it quickly and spend double the time thinking about it" kinda thing.
--Jessica--
Can be published in a teen newsletter
Would have been 51 community service hours
4 comments:
51 hours, Jess amazing.
The book does not have to be long. I think what you got from the book was the message which was most important.
You sometimes want to skip the details but to appreciate the story, you should not. It was very brave.
This displays the theory, you never know what is really going on in someone else's life. You may think they have it better than you but in reality, they have their own set of problems.
Thanks for also mentioning the resources attached to the book.
this could be helpful for someone with the problem or someone doing a project/presentation.
Great job.
catherine
Jess,
the first thing I do when i read a review is look at who wrote the review.
I had finished tapping out something for yours when i caught the title of your book, "perfect'.
The word perfect is pretty loaded. i do not know anyone who is perfect.
In high school, I spent all my time comparing myself to others. i never measured up. they were always prettier, taller, nicer, etc.
Even today, I still look at someone and think I wish I was taller (not going to happen); prettier (forget that one) so i settle for nicer.
I work with a lady named sue. we all aspire to be like Sue. sue is not perfect but she has this wonderful way of making us all feel special and important. this is such a wonderful quality that although we try and emulate her actions, we never can.
I hope you have someone in your life like Sue. I know how lucky I am to have someone like her.
Catherine
P.S. jess, I bet your parents think you are 'perfect.'
hey catherine,
i think i know my own "sue". she is one of my teachers. from the outside, you can tell she is nothing near "perfect". but she is a great person. she has great self esteem, no matter how "unperfect" she is.
she always makes her students feel good about themselves. for example, she goes through the halls greeting people like this: "hey, beautiful.". or: "you look very pretty today.". just maybe one little comment like that every day can do unbelievable loads to someone's self esteem. she is a good but relaxed teacher, too.
it seems like making everyone feel good about themselves is her goal in life, and i really appreciate it.
--Jessica--
ps. im like.. 5 foot 2, i think. i cant get much taller. why does it feel important to be tall?!
Jess,
sorry, i missed responding. Yes, I feel strongly everyone needs a sue. they are such great role models for the rest of us. i am glad you have an upbeat and pleasant teacher. Sometimes, a sour puss can ruin your whole day.
Why do I wish I was taller? Just once, i would like to buy pants without having to hem them.
catherine
Sorry, I have to negotiate with my dog. It is a beautiful night but he does not want to go for a walk. Next month when it is miserable, he will be too!
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