The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things

Review by Addy B.

In The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, Virginia Shreves wants two things: her parents respect, and to be skinny. Virginia may not show that she cares how she looks, but she really does. Virginia's best friend has moved across the country and she is surrounded by perfect girls at her private school. Things aren't much better away from school, her mother closely watches her diet and exercise while her father repeatedly makes negative body remarks. For Virginia this way of life is controlling how she thinks of herself. Then one night a devastating phone call shows her beloved brother how harsh the world can be, and uncovers everything Virginia's known about her family and herself. She gets set on the right path to unashamed self-confidence.

Although this work of literature may have been written years ago, it’s still quite pertinent. It talks about a common touchy issues today, among date rape and body shaming. It also deals with a girls body image and how girls can change their own self-esteem when seeing that even their idols aren’t perfect. This book is for all teenage girls learning to stand up for themselves and who need a lesson on self-confidence.

Reading this book really made me realize how so many people have their own insecurities that aren’t exposed to others. I know we all have flaws, but some girls think that their common blemishes ruin who they are as a person. This book really exposed to me to how people have inside conflicts because they care how they look to others. It revealed to me how being self-confident and not listening to purposefully negative comments and people can really impact your life for the better.