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Spectacle
At six feet tall, Emily Lucas towers over the "normals" in her Seattle high school. When she discovers, thanks to a pediatric endocrinologist and his X-ray machine, that she’s still growing and will likely hit six foot three, she struggles with her inability to blend.
Emily blames her MIA, giantess mother, Marilyn, for her excessive height and embarks on a mom-quest to find her. She wants to unravel why Marilyn left and learn how to operate as a super-sized person in the world. So begins a journey that leads Emily to Arizona to meet her birth mother.
Then there's Emily's ex-best-friend-gone-wild, Trix. She has an attitude that won’t quit, two non-parents who don’t take care of her as much as she takes care of them, and a tendency to hook up with too many guys in her search for acceptance.
When she finds out she has a chance to graduate early and study her passion–fashion design–at The Art Institute, she realizes she needs to pull herself out of her downward spiral and focus on her goal. Can she get it together and earn herself a better life or is she too far gone?
Emily and Trix, who have grown apart but whose lives still wind around each other like helices, work separately to figure out how to fit into a world that doesn't much like girls who can't, or won't, conform to what's ordinary.
Emily blames her MIA, giantess mother, Marilyn, for her excessive height and embarks on a mom-quest to find her. She wants to unravel why Marilyn left and learn how to operate as a super-sized person in the world. So begins a journey that leads Emily to Arizona to meet her birth mother.
Then there's Emily's ex-best-friend-gone-wild, Trix. She has an attitude that won’t quit, two non-parents who don’t take care of her as much as she takes care of them, and a tendency to hook up with too many guys in her search for acceptance.
When she finds out she has a chance to graduate early and study her passion–fashion design–at The Art Institute, she realizes she needs to pull herself out of her downward spiral and focus on her goal. Can she get it together and earn herself a better life or is she too far gone?
Emily and Trix, who have grown apart but whose lives still wind around each other like helices, work separately to figure out how to fit into a world that doesn't much like girls who can't, or won't, conform to what's ordinary.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2012
3 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Angie McCullagh
2 books38 followersAngie McCullagh has published several short stories in highly regarded literary journals, satire in online venues, and essays/reported pieces for a variety of publications. She lives with her husband, son, and emotionally fragile mutt in Seattle, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 6, 2015
OK, OK, so this might not normally be the book I'd give a 5-star rating to, but this Young Adult novel is by all means amazing. I went into this with no expectations, considering that I downloaded the book for free from Amazon. How was this supposed to be good in any way?, one might ask. I'm not saying that it should have been bad just because I got it for free, but many other titles that I got this way were.
So here's the story: Emily and Trix have been friends since the 6th grade. They stood by each other in spite of all the things that might have separated them. But things are changing, as each and every one of them is growing up differently. One's relatively rich, the other one's living in a trailer park. They both share the same basic aspirations, and getting where they want to end up is as difficult as possible.
Don't get me wrong: this isn't the story of two girls that are slowly growing apart from one another. This novel somehow manages to combine elements like wives leaving their two daughters and husband behind, unfit mothers who get in way too many relationships at the same time, daughters who are trying to understand just what the heck they're going through, by doing good and bad things.
Reading Spectacle was like being at home. I'm not referring to what's actually happening in the book, because I'm well aware of what teenagers can go through, what with all the hormones and basically growing up puts on their plates. Yet somehow, Angie McCullagh did a great job at depicting what it's like to be a misunderstood young adult (the irony!) who just can't seem to make up his or her mind about what he or she wants to do in life.
This may not be a 5-star read for someone looking for something super-deep and meaningful, but it will clearly do the trick for someone like me.
So here's the story: Emily and Trix have been friends since the 6th grade. They stood by each other in spite of all the things that might have separated them. But things are changing, as each and every one of them is growing up differently. One's relatively rich, the other one's living in a trailer park. They both share the same basic aspirations, and getting where they want to end up is as difficult as possible.
Don't get me wrong: this isn't the story of two girls that are slowly growing apart from one another. This novel somehow manages to combine elements like wives leaving their two daughters and husband behind, unfit mothers who get in way too many relationships at the same time, daughters who are trying to understand just what the heck they're going through, by doing good and bad things.
Reading Spectacle was like being at home. I'm not referring to what's actually happening in the book, because I'm well aware of what teenagers can go through, what with all the hormones and basically growing up puts on their plates. Yet somehow, Angie McCullagh did a great job at depicting what it's like to be a misunderstood young adult (the irony!) who just can't seem to make up his or her mind about what he or she wants to do in life.
This may not be a 5-star read for someone looking for something super-deep and meaningful, but it will clearly do the trick for someone like me.
July 20, 2016
Its nice to see that not every book for and about young women has to be about sparkly vampires. Emily Lucas is taller than the average teenage girl, or guy, for that matter, but inside she isn't so different from the kids she towers over at school. She and her long-time best friend are suddenly growing apart, her first love is totally happening and then suddenly maybe isn't. Her mom is long gone, her perfect sister got all of the genetic athletic ability but not the height, and her step mom's perky good intentions are driving Emily crazy. This latest spurt may have her outgrowing more than just her jeans as she struggles to make sense of her family, her friends, and her place in the world. Beautifully written with spot-on insight into the mid of a teenage girl, Spectacle kept me turning pages until the end.
January 27, 2022
Scrolling through my kindle, I came across Spectacle which is a title I have had for almost ten years waiting to be read. Looking at the cover, I think that it was what drew me to this title as I went into it blind, and also, I have never heard of this author before. I have to admit I was in two minds about this book as we meet Emily and Trix who have been best friends since they were younger and now as they move into their senior year, they are starting to go their separate ways as Trix is into being a goth girl and what people would consider trailer trash and a bit of a skank whereas Emily is wealthy and a good girl. We read this book from both their POVs as they start to drift in different directions with Trix going down the path of smoking, drugs, and hanging out with a bad crowd which leaves her feeling empty, used, and abused especially as she is considered "easy". Emily has caught the sight of hottie Ryan and Ryan wants to be with her but we see Emily is tall and to her, it is a stigma. I have to admit this kept annoying me throughout the book as it was like hello, embrace your height goddammit and get over yourself. I also felt she was constantly belittling her stepmother Melissa who loves her and it was like, I get she's not your real mum but she's trying to be supportive, and guess what - when it comes to the crunch, she is the only mother who will be there for you. I felt Emily was quite a spoiled brat and by the end of the book her "tall stigma" was just a bit too much and overshadowed the whole story and gets a bit repetitive for my liking. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories and high school reads, then you will enjoy Spectacle by Angie McCullagh today.
September 18, 2014
{ Full review originally posted on my blog, PidginPea's Book Nook. }
Spectacle was a poignant flashback to my high school days. McCullagh perfectly captures the drama of it all, the constant struggles with friends and family, the feeling that life will never be more important than it is right now, the desire to sort yourself out and discover who you are in four short years.
I expected Emily's actual journey (the physical traveling) to find her real mother to take up more of the book; her desire to find her mother and her investigations into where she might be are definitely a big part of Emily's story, but the actual trip to find her is started and finished rather quickly. It is handled beautifully, though.
This book was a little difficult for me to read, and I think it was because it evokes all the uneasy feelings you have in high school so clearly. There is a sense of tension and confusion throughout the book, of things coming so close to going right, but then flipping at the last moment and going so wrong. The postscript was the perfect ending for it all. Reading it, I felt just like I did leaving high school: it didn't go exactly how I thought it would, but things are looking up from here.
Recommended for older YA readers, or those who would not be influenced by underage characters drinking, smoking, using drugs, or having sex.
Spectacle was a poignant flashback to my high school days. McCullagh perfectly captures the drama of it all, the constant struggles with friends and family, the feeling that life will never be more important than it is right now, the desire to sort yourself out and discover who you are in four short years.
I expected Emily's actual journey (the physical traveling) to find her real mother to take up more of the book; her desire to find her mother and her investigations into where she might be are definitely a big part of Emily's story, but the actual trip to find her is started and finished rather quickly. It is handled beautifully, though.
This book was a little difficult for me to read, and I think it was because it evokes all the uneasy feelings you have in high school so clearly. There is a sense of tension and confusion throughout the book, of things coming so close to going right, but then flipping at the last moment and going so wrong. The postscript was the perfect ending for it all. Reading it, I felt just like I did leaving high school: it didn't go exactly how I thought it would, but things are looking up from here.
Recommended for older YA readers, or those who would not be influenced by underage characters drinking, smoking, using drugs, or having sex.
February 28, 2012
A great, quick-read! I really related to the character, Emily. She towered over all of her peers at her high school and felt awkward in almost all settings. I too, was a tall pre-teen and teenager. I am still taller than most of my friends!
Emily's birth mother ran out on her and her older sister when they were very young. She feels like something is missing in her life, by not knowing her mother and why she left them. She suspects her mother is the reason behind her "giant gene". She sets out to find her mother and ends up in Arizona on Christmas Eve with no idea what she's about to face.
Trix, Emily's best friend, is having a hard time finding where she fits in. She's not a goody-two-shoes like Emily and her parents really don't care about her enough to raise her properly. She is promiscuous, has low self-esteem and Emily is her only true friend. She begins hanging out with the outcast/rebel kids at school and experiments with drugs, albeit unwillingly at one point. After a scary encounter in the back of a truck, she soon realizes that by hanging out with the wrong people, she is hurting her chances at graduating early and getting into design school. She starts trying harder in school and hanging out with the rough crowd less. But will it be enough? And will she and Emily renew their friendship?
You have to read this! Although it is probably geared towards teens and young adults, I really enjoyed this book. I still consider myself to be a young adult at 26. I am, right?! LOL.
Emily's birth mother ran out on her and her older sister when they were very young. She feels like something is missing in her life, by not knowing her mother and why she left them. She suspects her mother is the reason behind her "giant gene". She sets out to find her mother and ends up in Arizona on Christmas Eve with no idea what she's about to face.
Trix, Emily's best friend, is having a hard time finding where she fits in. She's not a goody-two-shoes like Emily and her parents really don't care about her enough to raise her properly. She is promiscuous, has low self-esteem and Emily is her only true friend. She begins hanging out with the outcast/rebel kids at school and experiments with drugs, albeit unwillingly at one point. After a scary encounter in the back of a truck, she soon realizes that by hanging out with the wrong people, she is hurting her chances at graduating early and getting into design school. She starts trying harder in school and hanging out with the rough crowd less. But will it be enough? And will she and Emily renew their friendship?
You have to read this! Although it is probably geared towards teens and young adults, I really enjoyed this book. I still consider myself to be a young adult at 26. I am, right?! LOL.
May 13, 2012
I won this book from the member librarything giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
Spectacle by Angie McCullagh is the story of two girls that were best friends but are headed on very different paths in life. The first girl is a very tall (and still growing!) middle class girl named Emily who is struggling with fitting in, falling in love for the first time, and finding her mother. Trix is lower class but smart and artistic; she uses anger and insults to cover up her insecurities and hasn't learned how to respect herself and look towards the future.
This book is many times heartachingly beautiful and deeply moving as we follow these two girls and their lives. I was probably more drawn to Emily's story-- it felt more real to me. A lot of the strength of this novel lies in the supporting characters. I absolutely loved Melissa, Emily's stepmother. Thomas, her gay boss, is priceless. I still remember the first description of him and can picture him exactly in my head; in fact, I think I have a friend like that. And Kennedy, a more three dimensional mean girl.
At times, the story goes from lyrical showing to very concrete telling, and this would take me out of the story at times.
However, that said, this is a poignant YA novel with many strengths and wonderful characters.
Spectacle by Angie McCullagh is the story of two girls that were best friends but are headed on very different paths in life. The first girl is a very tall (and still growing!) middle class girl named Emily who is struggling with fitting in, falling in love for the first time, and finding her mother. Trix is lower class but smart and artistic; she uses anger and insults to cover up her insecurities and hasn't learned how to respect herself and look towards the future.
This book is many times heartachingly beautiful and deeply moving as we follow these two girls and their lives. I was probably more drawn to Emily's story-- it felt more real to me. A lot of the strength of this novel lies in the supporting characters. I absolutely loved Melissa, Emily's stepmother. Thomas, her gay boss, is priceless. I still remember the first description of him and can picture him exactly in my head; in fact, I think I have a friend like that. And Kennedy, a more three dimensional mean girl.
At times, the story goes from lyrical showing to very concrete telling, and this would take me out of the story at times.
However, that said, this is a poignant YA novel with many strengths and wonderful characters.
March 10, 2012
Okay, so I just finished reading this book, and my first thought is, "Ahhh." I found it a refreshing and realistic story about high school and being a teenaged girl. It revolves around two girls who are friends and it deals with their lives and their insecurities. Both of the characters are interesting and realistic.
Being a teen has to be the most frustrating stage of life. You're old enough to deal with adult problems, but most people don't treat you as an adult. This novel captures that experience really well. It honestly made me remember what it was like (I was so an Emily).
Being a teen has to be the most frustrating stage of life. You're old enough to deal with adult problems, but most people don't treat you as an adult. This novel captures that experience really well. It honestly made me remember what it was like (I was so an Emily).
April 3, 2012
I read this at a point where I need something light and easy. I wound up being pleasantly surprised. It's not a difficult or heavy read, but the characters were interesting, and it presents a coming of age quest for identity that I could relate to with ease.
June 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this book and the characters stay with you after you are done. I also enjoyed a look back at those teenage years which are so awkward but endearing at the same time. I think Angie did a good job of capturing those teenage feelings too - the "where do I fit in" theme that really underlies both protagonist's journeys in the book.
January 3, 2025
Excellently written and truthfully articulated. I felt the characters, understood them, cared about them. I appreciated the honesty of this book.
(and this coming from someone who doesn't particularly care for YA novels!)
(and this coming from someone who doesn't particularly care for YA novels!)
March 9, 2014
I thought this book was very well done. Being a 40-something Dad, I'm not exactly the target audience. But it's well-written, the characters come to life, and the story moves in ways you wouldn't expect-- which was refreshing. Angie writes like a mofo.
February 3, 2021
I loved this book. It speaks to the heart of the things that hold us back - the worry that we don't fit in, that there is something so glaringly and obviously wrong with us that it can't go unnoticed. For Emily, it's her height, for Trix her impoverished upbringing. Ultimately both girls realize that their character is what will see them through, and that the adults who have failed them don't control their futures.
August 9, 2012
Not a bad read.took me a bit to really get into but not bad.
May 30, 2012
Not a bad read.Thought more could have been with Emilys height.But liked the interplay between the 2 friends.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews