Module 10: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

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

 

Book Summary:

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things is about Virginia, a teenager, trying to make it through high school. She is slightly overweight and never hears the end of it from her peers and her family. She misses her best friend, Shannon, who moved away and struggles with her “relationship” with a boy named Froggy. Then she finds out that her older brother, who she looks up to, has been suspended from school because of something bad he has done. This event rocks Virginia’s world and changes her perspective on the world and herself.

APA Reference of Book:

Mackler, C. (2003). The earth, my butt, and other big round things. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press.

Impressions:

This book was hilarious and insightful. Virginia is so relatable and I cannot imagine anyone reading this and not loving her. Even though she is dealing with some typical teenager problems, she also has to deal with some major family drama. Virginia learns to find the strength within her to stand up to her family and the negativity they constantly bombard her with. I felt very empowered after reading this, and I think it will help young readers to find their own confidence. Virginia is a great role model of loving who you are, and not trying to conform to a certain type of beauty. She embraces her gifts and uses them to cause change her life and others. I highly suggest this for teenage girls.

Professional Review:

““Froggy Welsh the Fourth is trying to get up my shirt,” begins this eminently accessible journey from self-hatred to confidence. Virginia is 15 and likes fooling around with Froggy, but she’s mortified by her fatness, a shame fueled continually by her emotionally distant and pressuring family. Has she been switched at birth? Why isn’t she perfect like her adored, overachieving older brother? But her brother isn’t perfect after all, and he commits a horrifying act that rocks her world—and prompts her to begin questioning her family’s values. Readers will be rooting for Virginia all the way as she moves from isolated TV-watcher to Website-creator with purple hair and an eyebrow ring. Sexuality, refreshingly, is treated as a good thing. Virginia’s emotions progress from despondence to anger, joy, and strong independence, all portrayed with clarity. An easy read with substance and spirit.”

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things [Review of the book The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler]. (2003, June 15). Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/carolyn-mackler/the-earth-my-butt-and-other-big-round-things/

Library Uses:

 I think this book would make for an excellent book club read for teenagers. Teenage girls would especially be able to relate to things Virginia experiences at home and school. The book club could read through this book together and then meet to discuss it. Topics that could be discussed are self-image, family, friendship, boys, relationships, confidence, healthy mind and body, etc. I think teenage girls would gain lots of insight from discussing with each other the issues that come up in this book. They will be able to see that they are not alone in how they feel, and they will be able to encourage each other.