"Guillaume's delightful debut deals with teenagers and their self-esteem, as Maisie's story is relayed through her journal entries. This intimate lens will invest readers in Maisie's journey to self-acceptance and confidence. A fun story, abounding in humor, romance, and inspiration and filled with multifaceted characters that readers will enjoy." —Booklist
"Debut author Guillaume's novel features funny dialogue and fresh takes on body image and personal relationships as well as a plucky heroine who slowly but surely comes into her own. . . . Perfect for fans of Dumplin', a hilariously sweet yet complex romance." —Kirkus Reviews
"This book draws obvious parallels to Julie Murphy's Dumplin', but Maisie and her diverse cast of friends are fresh and distinctive, as is the Australian setting. . . . A fun, upbeat, and tender coming-of-age story written in an engaging and lively diary format."—School Library Journal
What I Like About Me
Narrated by Candice Moll
Jenna GuillaumeUnabridged — 6 hours, 34 minutes
What I Like About Me
Narrated by Candice Moll
Jenna GuillaumeUnabridged — 6 hours, 34 minutes
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Overview
“This is the book I would hand to teen me.” -Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
“Features funny dialogue and fresh takes on body image and personal relationships as well as a plucky heroine who slowly but surely comes into her own.... Perfect for fans of Dumplin'.” -Kirkus Reviews
The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she'd be doing on her vacation is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she's spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone. Not when her Dad is AWOL and her gorgeous older sister has returned to rock Maisie's already shaky confidence. And especially not when her best friend starts flirting with the boy she's always loved. But Maisie's got something to prove.
As she writes down all the ways this vacation is going from bad to worse in her school-assignment journal, what starts as a homework torture-device might just end up being an account of how Maisie didn't let anything, or anyone, hold her back.
Jenna Guillame's American debut features a plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice. This relatable and charming novel about friendship, confidence, and self-love will draw readers in as Maisie's realistic emotional journey unveils the importance of embracing one's body and celebrating one's self.
Also available from Jenna Guillaume:
You Were Made for Me
Editorial Reviews
02/01/2020
Gr 7–10—Maisie Martin is spending summer vacation at the beach with her mom and best friend. Her dad is mysteriously opting out. Her older sister won't join them, but she and Maisie aren't on speaking terms anyway. One perk of the trip is spending time with her longtime crush. Then her beautiful best friend starts dating the crush, forcing Maisie to spend time with his annoying friend. She falls in with a group of local teens, one of whom expands Maisie's view of herself during a conversation about beauty. When Maisie says, "I know I'm not beautiful. I'm fat," her new friend responds, "And why can't you be both?" Maisie begins to look for the good in herself and even signs up to compete in a local beauty pageant. She expects her size will disqualify her, but to her surprise, her application is accepted. This book draws obvious parallels to Julie Murphy's Dumplin', but Maisie and her diverse cast of friends are fresh and distinctive, as is the Australian setting. American readers might be surprised by the casual approach to drinking—in one scene, Maisie's mom buys the girls a four-pack of wine coolers to split at a New Year's party. Pop culture references are mostly retro (Arnold Schwarzenegger films and Dirty Dancing feature) so as not to become outdated. VERDICT A fun, upbeat, and tender coming-of-age story written in an engaging and lively diary format.—Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK
2020-01-07
A plus-size Aussie teen learns to love herself when she enters a beauty pageant.
For 16-year-old Maisie Martin, summer vacation is not getting off to a great start. Her English teacher, Ms. Singh, demands she keep a journal during the holidays while Maisie and her family—including her wine-swilling mother, her beautiful older sister, Eva, and Eva's new girlfriend, Bess—spend Christmas in a beach town (Maisie's dad stays at home due to work commitments). Thankfully Maisie's best friend, Anna, comes along for the ride and soon hooks up with Maisie's childhood pal and longtime crush Sebastian, leaving Maisie to face off with Sebastian's obnoxious best friend, Beamer, who has all the wrong opinions about action movie stars. After connecting with fashion-forward townie Leila, Maisie decides to enter the local beauty pageant that Eva won years before, but Maisie must soon contend with an unexpected romantic entanglement, unwanted press attention for being a larger-than-average contestant, and her own issues with family, friends, and fat. Debut author Guillaume's novel features funny dialogue and fresh takes on body image and personal relationships as well as a plucky heroine who slowly but surely comes into her own. Most major characters are white; Sebastian is Malaysian and Australian (ethnicities not specified); Leila is Lebanese Australian; and Bess is fat, queer, and proud—all positive representations.
Perfect for fans of Dumplin', a hilariously sweet yet complex romance. (Fiction. 12-16)
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940177170749 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Penguin Random House |
| Publication date: | 04/06/2021 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 10 - 13 Years |
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