5/5 "We are all aware that we have been raised in culture that cradles double standards, impossible ideals of beauty, and asks us to listen. But we are caught in the crossfire between were we have been told we should be and where we really are." At age sixteen, Sarah Shandler read Mary Pipher's Reviving Ophelia, the national bestseller that candidly explored the unique issues that challenge girls in their struggle towards womanhood. Moved by Pipher's insight yet driven to hear the unfiltered voices o today's adolescent girls, Shandler yearned to speak for herself, and to provide a forum for other Ophelia's to do so as well. A poignant collection of original pieces selected from more than eight-hundred contributions, Ophelia Speaks culls writing from the hearts of girls nationwide, of various races, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Ranging in age from twelve to eighteen, the voices here offer a provocative and piercingly real view on issues public and private, from body image to boys, politics to parents, school to sex. Framing each chapter are Shandler's own personal reflections, offering bother the comfort of a trusted friend and an honest perspective from within a whirlwind of adolescence. In these pages, you will see your best friend, your daughter, your sister,- and yourself. At once filled with heartbreak and hope, in these pages Ophelia speaks. It doesn't matter if you have a personal connection to the people telling the story, Ophelia Speaks by Sara Shandler will make you feel in ways you didn't know you could before. Of course I had to read this book after reading this blurb on the back. Ranging from chapters about self-inflicted wounds, eating disorders, rape and sexual abuse, disintegrating foundations and no safe places, this book gave me purpose. I personal connected to the novel within many different chapters, those of which I will never be ashamed to admit, I was and still am most of these girls. Comprised of notes filled with the honest voice from brave young woman, the lives told from across the world are important for society to hear their struggles. I wish I would have read this book earlier in my life, as I am now 19, the stories shared convey such power messages and make every reader realize they are not alone. I have never cried reading a book, let alone cry every time I try and get through a chapter. This book is something every young woman should read. I recommend this to every book lover, young woman, mother, sister and for those who are going through personal struggles. This book should be assigned in classrooms, gym classes as well as health class in order to give young woman the opportunity to find themselves. You are not alone. Sharing your story could impact others and make things better.
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REVIEW: 4/5 While Nina was gone. Mel has her first real kiss. With Avery. Mel knows it's love. But Avery it's so sure. Is she really gay-or is it just that everyone wants to be with Mel? I just finished reading The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson and I would say this book is perfect for anyone who loves reading about finding oneself and finding love in the most unusal of circumstances. From a loving start that turned into a serious adjustment for the lives of three best friends, I became extremely attached to the characters as they moved towards adulthood. This isn't the typical coming of age novel but gives the reader a more depth vibe to how the life of others can change so quickly when you fall for someone you couldn't imagine being with before. Such a warm and captivating novel that I did not want to put down. REVIEW- 4/5 Lo-Melkhiin killed three hundred girls before he came to her village, looking for a wife. When she sees the dust cloud on the horizon, she knows he has arrived. She knows he will want the loveliest girl: her sister. She vows she will not let her be next. And so she is taken in her sister’s place, and she believes death will soon follow. Lo-Melkhiin’s court is a dangerous palace filled with pretty things: intricate statues with wretched eyes, exquisite threads to weave the most beautiful garments. She sees everything as if for the last time. But the first sun rises and sets, and she is not dead. Night after night, Lo-Melkhiin comes to her and listens to the stories she tells, and day after day she is awoken by the sunrise. Exploring the palace, she begins to unlock years of fear that have tormented and silenced a kingdom. Lo-Melkhiin was not always a cruel ruler. Something went wrong. – So much bravey, independence and self-growth throughout this book it gave me chills. I grew to love the fight within the characters and how many times life through so many challenges at them where I didn’t know where the book would go. It took me 5 days to finish this book after a tiring work week but I pushed through because it was a book that weighed heavy on my shoulders and kept me thinking until the end. I highly recommened this book to those who love suspence and a great emotional connection to the character. When things go wrong, the only way to save herself is nothing a reader would expect. This book is powerful to say the least. Leaving goosebumps and shivers as you read. ” The desert night takes a moment to wake, but once it does, you will think you have never seen anything so beautiful.” REVIEW: 4/5 Hermione Winters is captain of her cheerleading team, and in tiny Palermo Heights, this doesn’t mean what you think it means. At PHHS, the cheerleaders don’t cheer for the sports teams; they are the sports team—the pride and joy of a tiny town. The team’s summer training camp is Hermione’s last and marks the beginning of the end of…she’s not sure what. She does know this season could make her a legend. But during a camp party, someone slips something in her drink. And it all goes black. In every class, there’s a star cheerleader and a pariah pregnant girl. They’re never supposed to be the same person. Hermione struggles to regain the control she’s always had and faces a wrenching decision about how to move on. The assault wasn’t the beginning of Hermione Winter’s story and she’s not going to let it be the end. She won’t be anyone’s cautionary tale. Not only did I read this book in 3 hours, I couldn’t put it down for a second. The way Johnston brings to life the emotions and charcater perspective oh Hermione, brought me to tears at so many moments of the book. I connected personally with this young ladies story on many different levels and the way Johnston gives her the voice to speak for the voiceless is beautiful. |
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May 2017
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