More Than One Way to Be a Girl

by Dyan Sheldon

From the writer of Confessions of A Teenage Drama Queen and My Worst Best Friend comes this hugely entertaining teen read, all about what it really means to be a girl. ZiZi likes to think of herself as a girly girl: her wardrobe is almost exclusively pink, her daily makeup routine can take upwards of an hour and she loves a bit of a flirt. Her best friend Loretta is very different: all of her clothes are black, she doesn't wear any makeup whatsoever and she doesn't like the way ZiZi dumbs herself down for boys - or her old-fashioned ideas about "a woman's place". One day, they decide to make a bet. Can ZiZi stand looking like Loretta for longer than Loretta can bear dressing like ZiZi? As their summer unfolds - often hilariously - the pair are surprised to find they have a lot to learn from each other.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

368 pages, Paperback

Published July 6, 2017

About the author

Dyan Sheldon is the author of many novels for young adult readers, including the #1 New York Times bestseller CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN, which was made into a major motion picture. American by birth, she lives in North London.

Reviews

[Keri (BooksWithKeri) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn’t read a Dyan Sheldon book before but the premise of this one really intrigued me. The idea of two different types of girls, with two different opinions on what it’s like being a girl swapping places and seeing life from each other’s points of view, was really interesting to me, and I eager to see it executed well. I can’t say I was disappointed.

The book is dual perspective, following girly-girl ZiZi and tomboy Loretta. They’re both very stubborn, both so certain that their views of the world and of their gender are correct and it’s in a moment of stubborn argument that the bet is struck. Zizi must wash off her makeup and take off her heels whilst Loretta has to throw out her jeans in favour of pink dresses. In doing this, both have their eyes opened to how much how you look actually affects how people treat you.

Full Review Here: https://bookswithkeri.wordpress.com/2...

[Rand Ismail · Rating 4 out of 5]

i picked this book up randomly off a library shelf, and the idea intrigued me. It seemed like a lighthearted, quick read, which it was, but what surprised me was the strong moral messages. A lot of people might say that the writing style is annoying and girly, and the characters are too stereotypical, but you need to bear in mind that this book was written for young teenage girls. nevertheless, it contains a wonderful message about female empowerment, and i think it would be great for all girls (and even boys) to read.

[JJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it was up to me, I'd make every human being on this planet read this book. This is such an important book about what it means to be a girl, about female empowerment, and about opening your mind to other people's lifestyle choices. It's narrated by two people. One is the girly, dressy, make-up-enthusiast popular social butterfly ZiZi Abruzzio. And the other is Loretta Reynolds, the only girl in her woodworking class, tomboyish, who works at (basically) an Ace Hardware and who doesn't give a flip about her looks. They're best friends, but ZiZi thinks Loretta has so much potential to be popular and beautiful if only she tried harder, and Loretta thinks ZiZi should stop making beauty and looks the center of her life, and should stop dumbing herself down for boys. They're polar opposites.

But one summer, they make a bet: can ZiZi last longer looking like Loretta than Loretta can bear looking like ZiZi?

Personally, I've been on both ZiZi's and Loretta's side. I've been the girl who loved painting her face with eyeshadow and highlighters (for the fun of it), but I've also been the girl who frowned down on people who do — which I realize now is blatantly ridiculous and stupid, because it's not anyone's business how you choose to dress, what your hobbies are, nor the steps you take to be confident in your own body. (As long as you keep your priorities straight. Unlike ZiZi Abruzzio, who is always late to every single hangout/meeting she plans with her friends because she takes way too long to get ready and knows it, which I always thought was selfish/insensitive of her.)

Besides ZiZi and Loretta (and Gabriel and Dillon), every other character in this book is so shamelessly sexist and shallow that I felt disgusted. Seriously. Eating cat food would disgust me less than knowing how Mr. Schonblatt or the Hardware Guys or freakin' Duane perceives women. It brought a wave of unease to my stomach and I'm glad that those fictional characters will forever remain fictional.

Also, ZiZi and Loretta have always been portrayed as best friends in the book, but it was strange to me that every scene we had of them together was always them pointing out (what they thought were) flaws in each other, or straight-up arguing. We never got to see a dialogue-moment when they weren't fighting about how the other should be, instead just being friends and hanging out. Those parts where they "hung out" and "had fun" were always mentioned in passing.

Anyways, I don't regret reading this, and I don't think you will either. If the cover makes it look like this book is targeted towards young teens & tweens — it's not. This book is for everyone, especially for all you girls (and boys, too, come to think of it). Bottom line: the takeaway here is that if everyone let go of their conceptions on how you should dress and what you choose to/not to put on your skin, and instead go about their days in an amiable stride, welcoming everyone and everything they encounter with a smile (lol), the world would be a much better place.

[Katie Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because it was a fun, easy read. Kind of like a friend that comes in the summer. You don't get too close but you enjoy your time with them.
At first, (apart from the first 2 chapters) I was kind of leaning toward ZiZi. Clothes maketh the woman! But I took a lot from this. As a feminist myself, some of the sexism that was thrown at these characters made me stop and gape a couple of times.
A really sweet funny read with deep morals that show you dress for yourself.
Definitely would recommend! Did love it!

[Nav (she/her) 🌧 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Positives:
- The first chapter was great and really got me thinking. I think Loretta made her point really well.
- Zizi and Loretta were completely different so it was easy to distinguish between their sections.
- The book had some great discussions about what it means to be a girl and really got me thinking.
- The ending wrapped things up nicely for both characters.

Negatives:
- Zizi constantly being late for things came across as selfish to me and as though she didn't respect other people's time.
- The story isn't too memorable for me and I don't think I will remember or think about it for a long time after reading this book.

[Prathima Deepak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Teenage Book...!!
Its all about two girls of totally opposite thoughts and ideas of what a Girl should do and How she should be. Things changes when they take a bet to implement each others ideas and experiment.
The story finally concludes that it is important to think and behave as a Person and to be like a Girl.

[Pippa · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF: I liked the concept but really didn't get along with the writing style. Not one for me, but I can imagine other people enjoying it!

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad. A bit long but not bad

[Ziah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book outlines a lot of problems and events that girls go through at times. I found it really interesting and could identify with both characters a lot.

[Abigail Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[JennM · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I liked the ideas in this book and the different topics that were brought up especially dealing with stereotypes and gender roles. But it felt like the book took too long to get going. The heavy topics that came towards the end of the book should have been worked in sooner. In the beginning, describing Zizi's and Loretta's lifestyles... that entire section (like half the book) felt a little too long and left me wondering where the book was going. I did like how things ended; the topics brought up didn't have resolutions but at least were "food for thought." I would recommend as a fun easy read, but not sure if I would read it again.

[Ciel Phantomhive · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given this book 5 stars if it wasn't for how abruptly the book ended. It felt too long at times but I can relate to a lot of the things that the women in this book have to experience (i.e being looked down by men who try to intimidate them) . Would reccomened this book for young feminists or young girls trying to find their own identity.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is great but I found every other character other than the main 2 characters really infuriating, mainly because of how sexist they were, but this book addresses this problem with society in a very funny way. I like the book a lot, the plot and everything was good, other characters were really annoying and many of them very shallow. And I love the ending, who doesn’t love a good ending <3

[Orla Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storyline is really interesting I really liked it!!

[5ypha · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this when I was 10

[lucy, she-her · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

As someone who both appreciates feeling feminine / attractive, and also considers themselves a feminist, (as apparently, as you’ll learn in this book, those two things oppose each other somehow), the premise of this book instantly appealed to me. Two girls switch their styles of clothing. One of the girls, ZiZi, prides herself on her traditionally feminine appearance, and flirts a lot, and apparently this makes her more of a girl. The other, Loretta, doesn’t wear makeup, and likes science, and apparently this makes her less of a girl.
The main issue I have with this book, predictably, is that it revolves around the concept that being “feminine” or even being “a girl” boils down to what kind of clothes you wear. Loretta is described as looking or being “androgynous” or “gender neutral”, which isn’t so bad considering those things are both presentation words, not gender words - but the entire concept that BEING A GIRL revolves around your presentation and behaviour is just odd. The only thing you need to do to be a girl is to be a girl. To identify as a girl. Plus it raises the obligatory point that there’s no such thing as girl’s clothes or men’s clothes. Which also begs, what is femininity, and masculinity? But i digress. I could do this forever. (I just might. Just not here).
Also, why is the, quote, “unisex” look t-shirts and trousers? Up until recently, they were men’s clothes. It was only because women fought for the right to wear trousers that they’re now sold widely. If men wear skirts, they’re considered to be gay, or not men. But nobody sniffs at a woman wearing jeans. I just find it ironic how men’s everything is considered neutral, the ‘normal’ version of stuff, and women’s is the unusual or additional version.
So, like I said, my main issue with this book isn’t the use of “non gender specific” relating to toys that aren't dolls, it is that NO toys are gender specific, including dolls. The book seems to be written from a very cis feminist perspective, dissecting the world into 2 sexes, 2 genders. In reality there’s no such thing as men's clothes or women's clothes, and there are many other sexes and genders besides. Plus, why are “men’s” things considered non gender specific and “women’s” always aren’t?! Like men are the default humans and women are something extra on the side.
Also, the part about women’s and men’s brains being proven to be the same literally isn’t true. There’s a stark difference. You can tell someone’s gender identity (not their sex - the way they IDENTIFY) by looking at their brain, whether boy, girl, or neither.
And then there's the obligatory issue of Zizi implying Lou is more of a girl for having crushes, which is offensive to asexual girls, and also implies that any other gender who has crushes is a girl. There's also a possible implication that her fancying a boy is what makes her a girl, so I needn’t explain how that’s offensive to gay girls, while simultaneously implying that gay boys are girls.
Lou actually has a very sexist ideology by believing that femininity (if we're going to pretend that femininity, in terms of binary sex stereotypes, exists) inherently compromises one's worth.
Why is Loretta implying moisturiser is a traditionally feminine product? I know i could say this about any of her examples, but really, moisturiser? Does she not use moisturiser?! Everyone has SKIN, even feminists and men.
About the book itself, and not the story: I found the writing style of this book pretty hard to get into, so much so that I had to read another book halfway through. The punctuation was about as dodgy as it is in most YA. I thought the altered doodles around the names was a nice touch - takes you a couple of chapters to clock it.
I really thought Gabe would end up with Zizi, and Dillon with Lou - just me?
Also, just saying, Dillon's documentary should've totally been edited between clips of Zizi and Lou explaining to the camera what had just happened, e.g. “this was right after I locked my boss in the pantry."
I also wish we found out what happened to Zizi's house, like did the boys start cleaning or did her mum come home to find it a mess?
Obligatory petty complaints aside, this book was okay. I'm not opposed to trying more of Dyan Sheldon's work. I just hate reading feminist takes when they come from this extremely rigid cis point of view. It leaves a lot to be desired.