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Girl Overboard
Everybody thinks Syrah is the golden girl. After all, her father is Ethan Cheng, billionaire, and she has everything any kid could possibly desire: a waterfront mansion, jet plane, and custom-designed snowboards. But most of what glitters in her life is fool's gold. Her half-siblings hate her, her best friend's girlfriend is ruining their friendship, and her own so-called boyfriend is only after her for her father's name. When her broken heart results in a snowboarding accident that exiles her from the mountains-the one place where she feels free and accepted for who she is, not what she has-can Syrah rehab both her busted-up knee, and her broken heart?
Justina Chen Headley writes with an engaging wit and a powerful, distinct voice. Her first novel, "Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies) was a Border's Original Voices nominee, a Book Sense pick, and received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly: "Headley makes an impressive debut with this witty, intimate novel."
Justina Chen Headley writes with an engaging wit and a powerful, distinct voice. Her first novel, "Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies) was a Border's Original Voices nominee, a Book Sense pick, and received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly: "Headley makes an impressive debut with this witty, intimate novel."
339 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
56 people are currently reading
1930 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
July 30, 2008
I started this book at 11:15 last night. I went to bed at 5:45 this morning. I don't think I've ever done that before. It was a great read. Coming of age, but dark. Very good.
December 1, 2008
Syrah was injured in a snowboarding accident. Her dream is to become a Pro-Snowboarder. Her family is unsupportive. Her father, Ethan Cheung, made the cell phone of today. Her mother, Betty Cheung, is both a fashionista and do charity fundraising. All she want to do is be on the slopes with her best friend, Age,but he is too busy with his new boyfriend.
She soon befriends Lillan, an energetic and kid person. That spends most of her time at Seattle Children's Hospital. Lillan's sister, Amanda, has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant or she'll die.
Syrah and Lillan organize a Charity Snowboarding Event to help spread awareness for bone marrow transplant and the fact that everyone should register for it
This book is just plain amazing. It hit my heart strings. For those that don't know this, I am a patient at Seattle Children's Hospital. I have a immunological problem,where I am always at the doctors. I have seen some of these kids that are too young to not be playing with their friends or at school. It literally breaks my heart. I also like the plot and the fact that this book tackles such deep issues. I recommend reading this as soon as possible.
Also, if you are over 16 and are able to donate bone marrow. Please register, you could save someone's life.
She soon befriends Lillan, an energetic and kid person. That spends most of her time at Seattle Children's Hospital. Lillan's sister, Amanda, has leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant or she'll die.
Syrah and Lillan organize a Charity Snowboarding Event to help spread awareness for bone marrow transplant and the fact that everyone should register for it
This book is just plain amazing. It hit my heart strings. For those that don't know this, I am a patient at Seattle Children's Hospital. I have a immunological problem,where I am always at the doctors. I have seen some of these kids that are too young to not be playing with their friends or at school. It literally breaks my heart. I also like the plot and the fact that this book tackles such deep issues. I recommend reading this as soon as possible.
Also, if you are over 16 and are able to donate bone marrow. Please register, you could save someone's life.
December 27, 2008
Girl Overboard stars a very unhappy girl, Syrah, who is frustrated with practically everything in her life: she's unhappy with how her knee is healing after a bad snowboarding accident; unhappy that there seems to be a mental/emotional block preventing her from moving on in her life after a disappointing first taste of love/lust; unhappy that her very best friend, Adrian "Age", has a girlfriend who won't allow him to see her; unhappy that her parents ignore her except for when they're bossing her around--how her mom is always onto her about her weight, how they both rarely take her seriously and how both want to keep her from ever snowboarding again; angry with her two half-siblings, Wayne and Grace, both much older than herself; disappointed that her only real friend in the house--her nanny if you will--Bao-mu is going to be leaving the family to go care for her own granddaughter; and super-super angry that her parents have told her that they're all moving to Hong Kong next year. Syrah has an oh-so-terrible life because her parents are oh-so-wealthy. But it has its advantages in a way too--when Syrah decides she wants to be a part of her family and use everything to get what she wants. And what Syrah ends up wanting more than anything is to help someone else--to save a life.
It's a coming of age novel heavy on the whine in the opening chapters. The first fifty pages didn't hook me. But I kept going, I kept reading and sure enough by the end I was enjoying it. While all the characters seemed a bit flat and stereotypical in the beginning, by the end, they were beginning (at least if not more) to become fully fleshed characters with heart and soul. Her developing relationship with her family--her mother, Betty; her half-sister, Grace; her mother's family whom she meets for the first time--her aunts and cousins, etc--add depth to this story. I liked how Syrah changed through the course of the book, how she came to be someone I could like, someone I could respect.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
December 13, 2009
I bought Girl Overboard because I really enjoyed Headley’s latest book, North of Beautiful. The whole snowboarding premise seemed really interesting to me because I tried snowboarding once and I fell about a million times. I’m much better at skiing.
I was a little disappointed, however. For about the first 100 pages or so, I felt like I’d been thrown headlong into Syrah’s life without any explanation, even though there definitely was. I didn’t really feel a strong connection to her love interest, Age, because he was in about three scenes and most of them involved him telling Syrah that he couldn’t see her because he had a girlfriend now. The snowboarding thing also wasn’t as big of a plot point as I thought it would be; Syrah goes snowboarding twice in the entire book. I was expecting scenes and scenes of her flying down the mountain or something.
Another problem I had was that the narrative was a little bogged down by all of these ridiculous similes and metaphors. I recognize that is Headley’s writing style, because she did it in North of Beautiful, but it seemed a bit much. For instance, “And just like that, the sky goes blank with blackness, mirroring the what I’m thinking, how I’m feeling.” Or, “A rocket blazes a shrieking path, reaching higher than any of the other fireworks before it explodes, burning a hole in the night just as Jared did through my head and heart.”
There was also the fact that not that much really happened until about page 250 or so, so I was a little bored. The writing is pretty beautiful, but that can only buoy me for so long. When things did start happening, I almost didn’t care anymore because I’d been waiting for them to happen for so long.
One thing I did like, however, was Syrah’s nanny, Bao-Mu. She was the best character in the whole novel, I felt. In the beginning, I thought that she was going to be annoying, because Syrah did often feel a little annoyed with her, but as the story progressed, she wormed her way into my heart. Same with her mother’s family; they were so sweet and family-like that I kind of wished I had something like that. Mentions of all the Chinese food made me want to try some of this stuff, or at least make dumplings like they did (maybe I’ll ask my boss to make me some tonight!).
Overall, I tried to enjoy Girl Overboard, but there was some major flaws that I found with it.
I was a little disappointed, however. For about the first 100 pages or so, I felt like I’d been thrown headlong into Syrah’s life without any explanation, even though there definitely was. I didn’t really feel a strong connection to her love interest, Age, because he was in about three scenes and most of them involved him telling Syrah that he couldn’t see her because he had a girlfriend now. The snowboarding thing also wasn’t as big of a plot point as I thought it would be; Syrah goes snowboarding twice in the entire book. I was expecting scenes and scenes of her flying down the mountain or something.
Another problem I had was that the narrative was a little bogged down by all of these ridiculous similes and metaphors. I recognize that is Headley’s writing style, because she did it in North of Beautiful, but it seemed a bit much. For instance, “And just like that, the sky goes blank with blackness, mirroring the what I’m thinking, how I’m feeling.” Or, “A rocket blazes a shrieking path, reaching higher than any of the other fireworks before it explodes, burning a hole in the night just as Jared did through my head and heart.”
There was also the fact that not that much really happened until about page 250 or so, so I was a little bored. The writing is pretty beautiful, but that can only buoy me for so long. When things did start happening, I almost didn’t care anymore because I’d been waiting for them to happen for so long.
One thing I did like, however, was Syrah’s nanny, Bao-Mu. She was the best character in the whole novel, I felt. In the beginning, I thought that she was going to be annoying, because Syrah did often feel a little annoyed with her, but as the story progressed, she wormed her way into my heart. Same with her mother’s family; they were so sweet and family-like that I kind of wished I had something like that. Mentions of all the Chinese food made me want to try some of this stuff, or at least make dumplings like they did (maybe I’ll ask my boss to make me some tonight!).
Overall, I tried to enjoy Girl Overboard, but there was some major flaws that I found with it.
April 23, 2009
Syrah Chen is the daughter of Ethan and Betty Chen and the family is very wealthy. Syrah really enjoys snowboarding but after a run in the back country, Syrah damaged her knee and had to have pins put in. Syrah’s friend is Age who is dating Natalia even though Syrah would like him for herself. Syrah dreams of getting sponsors and becoming a snowboarding star. Syrah finds a friend in Lillian who she travels with to the hospital and helps her with a party she is having for the children. Lillian has a sister Amanda who has leukemia. Syrah comes up with the idea for having a snowboarding benefit to raise money for the children in the hospital. She finds an ally in her half sister Grace whom she thought hated her but Grace turns out to be OK. She also confronts Jared, the boy who broke her heart and she realizes she doesn’t need him anymore.
The book takes a long time to start. I had a lot of trouble getting into it and it wasn’t until after page 100 that the book started to pick up. It is hard to feel sorry for Syrah because she is so wealthy but she is a strong female character. The relationship with Age doesn’t seem to go anywhere, he disappears for the entire middle of the book and comes back right at the end and it sort of falls flat. The book is a little long and maybe it could have done without the part about the Cultural Revolution and the Leung family (Syrah’s mothers family) although interesting it adds another layer to an already convoluted story.
The book takes a long time to start. I had a lot of trouble getting into it and it wasn’t until after page 100 that the book started to pick up. It is hard to feel sorry for Syrah because she is so wealthy but she is a strong female character. The relationship with Age doesn’t seem to go anywhere, he disappears for the entire middle of the book and comes back right at the end and it sort of falls flat. The book is a little long and maybe it could have done without the part about the Cultural Revolution and the Leung family (Syrah’s mothers family) although interesting it adds another layer to an already convoluted story.
January 22, 2021
I really liked where Chen went with this story. It was about picking yourself back up after a fall and finding your place in this world. I also thought it was great to see mention of Gold Mountain and the Cultural Revolution, as well as the difficulties related to finding marrow donors for mixed race people. This is the second book I have seen mention it. It was something I was not aware of, and as the mother of a mixed race child, it was interesting information for me. I really loved seeing Syrah come into her own, gain perspective, and learn so much from her mistakes.
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January 24, 2020
3.5 stars
I found the main character beyond annoying for the first third of the book. She constantly felt sorry for herself and never talked about how she was feeling with anyone. I liked the book much more once she began to think about others instead of focusing on herself. I really liked Grace and Lillian, and I liked that the book ended on a positive note, because the tone of the beginning of the book was very somber. I didn’t care for the potential love interest. He wasn’t in the book enough and she barely spoke to him. I was glad this wasn’t romance focused as so much of YA is, though there were hints of it here and there.
I found the main character beyond annoying for the first third of the book. She constantly felt sorry for herself and never talked about how she was feeling with anyone. I liked the book much more once she began to think about others instead of focusing on herself. I really liked Grace and Lillian, and I liked that the book ended on a positive note, because the tone of the beginning of the book was very somber. I didn’t care for the potential love interest. He wasn’t in the book enough and she barely spoke to him. I was glad this wasn’t romance focused as so much of YA is, though there were hints of it here and there.
April 21, 2017
I was afraid this was gonna be a poor-little-rich-girl story, and I don't know enough about snowboarding to care about it, but Syrah turned out to be a character easy to sympathize with.
I didn't need to know about snowboarding to believe that Syrah loved it.
I love character driven stories, and Syrah changes a lot, forming friendships and finding family far and close.
In particular, Grace and Syrah seem so odd (Grace is old enough to be her mother!) yet so perfect as sisters.
Truly wonderful read.
I didn't need to know about snowboarding to believe that Syrah loved it.
I love character driven stories, and Syrah changes a lot, forming friendships and finding family far and close.
In particular, Grace and Syrah seem so odd (Grace is old enough to be her mother!) yet so perfect as sisters.
Truly wonderful read.
March 16, 2008
After reading Justina Chen Headley’s debut novel, Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies), I was anxiously waiting for Girl Overboard, expecting great things from a Chinese American writer. I shouldn’t have. Five chapters into the book and I already felt the enthusiasm slipping away, replaced by a blank expression as I wondered why I’d been so eager to check this out at the library. It’s the story of a billionaire’s daughter who, despite what everyone else thinks, isn’t exactly leading the most blessed life. She has her own set of problems, whether it is with her family or her friends. It’s a story of finding yourself, what you want, and what you can accomplish, with or without the money.
To start off on a more positive note, it’s always interesting to read about brand new characters. Syrah, named after a brand of wine, has elements that don’t jump off in the Young Adult shelves nowadays, particularly her love for both manga and snowboarding. This athletic interest gives Syrah a more American edge to it, while the other hobby gives the reader a glimpse into Chinese-related topics. Most authors like to play with the same characters—whether they’d be the damsel in distress, a witty girl heroine, or a cynical bad boy reformed—and create stories that don’t spark any originality. But Ms. Headley has once again put life into a girl that possesses some unique qualities that will also be relatable to most teenagers.
Aside from delightful supporting characters in addition to Syrah, there are lessons to be learned. It is the typical uncomfortable and pressuring family members that bring out the issues about relationships and just how high expectations can be. Considering all these things, it brings out a sense of realness to the story. As overused as the “rich girl” idea is, the author simply tells us that no one can lead a golden life, but much more in a way that doesn’t result in considerate groaning on my part.
However well the book might have been in the start, the same expectation does not flow towards the middle of the book. Whether it is books or television, I’ve come across enough of dramatic storylines to voice my opinion about the dragginess and overall unnecessary points of information included. In TV, some shows can be finished without needing the extra two or more episodes, and that’s the case with this book. I remember liking how, in the beginning, each chapter ends in a meaningful way that makes you ponder, but midway, I start to notice all these side stories that unbalance the first portion. Not only does Syrah have to juggle her family, her crush, her newest friend and her sister, but she finds out her mother was adopted and Syrah has a whole other family she doesn’t know about. Just trying to summarize all these different characters makes my head ache. Is it really necessary to incorporate so many characters, stories and messages in one novel?
I’ve learned that for every book an author writes, there is a purpose. But when I look at this book, I just see a battle of messy ideas that tries too hard to overlap each other. It’s like watching a group of children rush for the vacant swing, pushing another out of the way. And through that fuzzy mess, you just can’t be sure who the lucky winner is. I can’t be sure what message I’m walking away with.
Although Girl Overboard doesn’t reflect Ms. Headley’s best work, it has some good passages that pull me in otherwise. While I will not recommend this, simply because of the soap opera-like dramatics and the many loose endings that really need to be tied together, I will suggest readers to read her debut novel. However, if you like little irrelevant stories, hundreds of side messages, and a non-existent relationship between one of the most important figures in her life (her best friend Age), you know the way to the nearest bookstore.
(This is also my Writing Arts Review.)
To start off on a more positive note, it’s always interesting to read about brand new characters. Syrah, named after a brand of wine, has elements that don’t jump off in the Young Adult shelves nowadays, particularly her love for both manga and snowboarding. This athletic interest gives Syrah a more American edge to it, while the other hobby gives the reader a glimpse into Chinese-related topics. Most authors like to play with the same characters—whether they’d be the damsel in distress, a witty girl heroine, or a cynical bad boy reformed—and create stories that don’t spark any originality. But Ms. Headley has once again put life into a girl that possesses some unique qualities that will also be relatable to most teenagers.
Aside from delightful supporting characters in addition to Syrah, there are lessons to be learned. It is the typical uncomfortable and pressuring family members that bring out the issues about relationships and just how high expectations can be. Considering all these things, it brings out a sense of realness to the story. As overused as the “rich girl” idea is, the author simply tells us that no one can lead a golden life, but much more in a way that doesn’t result in considerate groaning on my part.
However well the book might have been in the start, the same expectation does not flow towards the middle of the book. Whether it is books or television, I’ve come across enough of dramatic storylines to voice my opinion about the dragginess and overall unnecessary points of information included. In TV, some shows can be finished without needing the extra two or more episodes, and that’s the case with this book. I remember liking how, in the beginning, each chapter ends in a meaningful way that makes you ponder, but midway, I start to notice all these side stories that unbalance the first portion. Not only does Syrah have to juggle her family, her crush, her newest friend and her sister, but she finds out her mother was adopted and Syrah has a whole other family she doesn’t know about. Just trying to summarize all these different characters makes my head ache. Is it really necessary to incorporate so many characters, stories and messages in one novel?
I’ve learned that for every book an author writes, there is a purpose. But when I look at this book, I just see a battle of messy ideas that tries too hard to overlap each other. It’s like watching a group of children rush for the vacant swing, pushing another out of the way. And through that fuzzy mess, you just can’t be sure who the lucky winner is. I can’t be sure what message I’m walking away with.
Although Girl Overboard doesn’t reflect Ms. Headley’s best work, it has some good passages that pull me in otherwise. While I will not recommend this, simply because of the soap opera-like dramatics and the many loose endings that really need to be tied together, I will suggest readers to read her debut novel. However, if you like little irrelevant stories, hundreds of side messages, and a non-existent relationship between one of the most important figures in her life (her best friend Age), you know the way to the nearest bookstore.
(This is also my Writing Arts Review.)
November 15, 2014
I would rate the book Girl Overboard 5 stars. This book is really touching and inspiring. The book is about this girl Syrah whose father is a mega millionaire but she is only known as a rich spoiled girl not who she wants to be when she grows up. In this book the author Justina really describes the emotions of Syrah and how she feels that she is not known as someone who she truly wants to be. Also she uses a ton of sensory imagery to describe what Syrah looks like and how her physical traits are linked to her emotions and create an idea as who she wants to be recognized as and what her true identity is. In this book Syrah faces multiple challenges and problems and this is what I like about Justina’s writing because she creates one problem after another for Syrah and that relates to the domino effect because if you knock one domino it affect all the others. Basically what Justina is doing is that she creates little problems that soon relate to the climax or the major problem. In my opinion this book teaches me a life lesson that through determination and willpower you can create your own identity that shows your true self not the untrue version of your self. This book does involve snowboarding so if any one likes this sport read this book. The genre of this book would be realistic fiction because since there are rich people and it could be one of those kids who are rich are only recognized by their parent’s wealth not by what they can do on their. Believe me this story is going to blow your minds off, and make you realize that everything is in your power and you have the right to create your own identity.
January 16, 2009
If you are looking for a book that is about a Rich girl and her perfect life don't read this book. If you want to read about a rich girl who has everything perfect her and she wants that to change then you should read this book. This book is about a girl who struggles to keep being rich out of living a normal life. She wants to be able to do things regular people do. She is tried of being different and doesn't want to be the Rich bratty girl, but the girl who is just like me.
I can make a text to self connection with this book because in my school I am different because I practice my religion more than anyone else. Since I am very strong in my religion I am looked at differently and I don't fit in as well. I just want to be like everyone else but somethings cant change. You cant change and give up on what you have so somethings will remain the same forever.
I rate this book a 4 because I can relate to it and it made me think about similar situation I went through. On somethings I saw how she solved her problems with the mistakes she made taught me not to do it. This book help me grow and realize that I wasn't the only one that feels out of place sometimes.
I can make a text to self connection with this book because in my school I am different because I practice my religion more than anyone else. Since I am very strong in my religion I am looked at differently and I don't fit in as well. I just want to be like everyone else but somethings cant change. You cant change and give up on what you have so somethings will remain the same forever.
I rate this book a 4 because I can relate to it and it made me think about similar situation I went through. On somethings I saw how she solved her problems with the mistakes she made taught me not to do it. This book help me grow and realize that I wasn't the only one that feels out of place sometimes.
October 19, 2014
Do you want to read a book about a teenage girl who has everything? Well, I know a good book that you would really love, its called Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley.
Girl Overboard is full of surprises. Syrah the main character loves snowboarding. One day she gets into a very horrifying accident while hitting the slopes and that event changes many things in her life. With her father being a billionaire it also changes the way people think of her. Syrah's parents are not very supportive of her. Even her favorite sport is also leading her into emotional ruin. Her boyfriend, a fop who only tries hard to impress Syrah's parents instead of her and breaks her heart. Overall, Syrah has mostly everything a teenager could ever wish for except that her family doesn't care or even support her. But in the end something happen that changes everything the way Syrah really wanted it to be in the first place.
I would recommend Girl Overboard to any young adult who enjoys reading books. A book full of excitement, drama, and secrets. Just like young people, full of drama, secrets and of course full of excitements.
Girl Overboard is full of surprises. Syrah the main character loves snowboarding. One day she gets into a very horrifying accident while hitting the slopes and that event changes many things in her life. With her father being a billionaire it also changes the way people think of her. Syrah's parents are not very supportive of her. Even her favorite sport is also leading her into emotional ruin. Her boyfriend, a fop who only tries hard to impress Syrah's parents instead of her and breaks her heart. Overall, Syrah has mostly everything a teenager could ever wish for except that her family doesn't care or even support her. But in the end something happen that changes everything the way Syrah really wanted it to be in the first place.
I would recommend Girl Overboard to any young adult who enjoys reading books. A book full of excitement, drama, and secrets. Just like young people, full of drama, secrets and of course full of excitements.
June 25, 2015
Girl Overboard is one of the best coming of age books I have ever read. It made my heart melt!
The characters felt incredibly real. They were all far from perfect but were beautiful all the same. Bao-mu! I loved her. :)
The writing style was very graceful and fluid.
The book tackled self discovery, healing, friendships, familial relationships, the meaning of life, love - and did it successfully. This is my favorite aspect of Chen's works. Every book has so many facets that I learn something new with each re-read. That's the mark of good literature. ^_^
"The most gorgeous snowflakes, the ones with all the intricate shapes and patterns, drop the farthest from the sky. They don't just survive their 40,000-foot descent. They revel in their fall, that harrowing, sweeping adventure that shapes them. Literally.
What's the point of reducing life to a question of survival, as if our time on Earth is some ordeal to be endured? We all deserve more than that, me included."
The characters felt incredibly real. They were all far from perfect but were beautiful all the same. Bao-mu! I loved her. :)
The writing style was very graceful and fluid.
The book tackled self discovery, healing, friendships, familial relationships, the meaning of life, love - and did it successfully. This is my favorite aspect of Chen's works. Every book has so many facets that I learn something new with each re-read. That's the mark of good literature. ^_^
"The most gorgeous snowflakes, the ones with all the intricate shapes and patterns, drop the farthest from the sky. They don't just survive their 40,000-foot descent. They revel in their fall, that harrowing, sweeping adventure that shapes them. Literally.
What's the point of reducing life to a question of survival, as if our time on Earth is some ordeal to be endured? We all deserve more than that, me included."
March 29, 2008
I had high hopes that this book would have a strong empowering messages for girls, but unfortunately it fell short of that goal. Although the author strives to leave the reader with positive messages at the end of the book, these cliches are overshadowed by the shallowness of the rest of the story.
November 11, 2011
wow! i wish there was more! unless there is.... then I HAVE TO GET IT! :)
May 8, 2017
The story is about a girl, Syrah Cheng, that is struggling to figure out the problems of her and her family's life. The main characters are Syrah, Age, Lillian, Betty, Ethan, Grace, and Bao-Mu. Syrah is at a point in her life where after her accident she isn't sure whether she trusts herself enough to continue to pursue her dreams of professional snowboarding. Age is Syrah's best friend who is easily influenced by his girlfriend to stop hanging out with Syrah which also helps bring out unspoken emotions between the two best friends. Lillian is a girl just trying to make sure her sister beats her leukemia, even if that means playing along with the meanest girls in school because of their parents connections. Betty, Syrah’s mom, is hiding a secret about her past that she doesn't want Syrah to find out about. Ethan, her father, just wants her to focus on something more stable than snowboarding. Bao-Mu, her elderly nanny, just wants her to follow her heart desires, while she is still holding secrets about Syrah’s family's history. The main characters all are forced under certain circumstances to eventually help Syrah figure out her problems. The main characters all are forced to face their problems and to fix them. One example would be Betty is faced with the past she wanted to forget. The main characters also do go on adventures. An example would be when Syrah takes a trip to Canada to try to reconnect to her mother’s past. My favorite character is Lillian. She is very strong and would do anything to save her family.
Personally I could relate to Syrah because she solves all her problems by facing them head on. I have felt like nothing can go right for my family like Lillian. Although I have also felt like Betty by trying to hide secrets.
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite part of the book is when her mother and father suprise her with her birthday gifts because she realizes that her parents do care about her. My least favorite part of the book is when she has to force herself into a small dress and it makes her feel so low about her appearance. The author, Justina Chen, did an astounding job writing Girl Overboard.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a book. It shows how a person can overcome their problems by using their resources. I believe that people who love fiction would really love this book.
Personally I could relate to Syrah because she solves all her problems by facing them head on. I have felt like nothing can go right for my family like Lillian. Although I have also felt like Betty by trying to hide secrets.
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite part of the book is when her mother and father suprise her with her birthday gifts because she realizes that her parents do care about her. My least favorite part of the book is when she has to force herself into a small dress and it makes her feel so low about her appearance. The author, Justina Chen, did an astounding job writing Girl Overboard.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a book. It shows how a person can overcome their problems by using their resources. I believe that people who love fiction would really love this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 31, 2022So far, I give my book “Girl Overboard” 4 stars because this book has everything that I look for in books. It has everything from teen romance, friendships, and drama. It’s relatable and just like someone’s living their own life. It’s not my absolute favorite though, that’s why I did not give it 5 stars. It is not my absolute favorite because it’s a little slower than my liking and my attention span wasn’t working with it. The book isn’t that slow, but just too slow for me. Still really good though. The setting mainly takes place on ski slopes and follows a girl named Syrah through her thoughts and emotions with snowboarding, and facing her fears, after a snowboarding accident she had. Syrah is really someone who wishes to be someone else, she wishes she was less popular & not as rich, she wishes she was a professional snowboarder, and does not want to be scared or hurt anymore.
I found this book when I was looking for a new book in our school library. What really grabbed my attention was what the back of the book talked about. It talked about how other people thought and viewed Syrah. They thought of her as a snobby, rich kid, who’s entitled, even though she’s not. This book also talks about her love life and what goes on. Syrah hates people knowing she’s rich, so she tries her best to not act or look like it.
I found this book when I was looking for a new book in our school library. What really grabbed my attention was what the back of the book talked about. It talked about how other people thought and viewed Syrah. They thought of her as a snobby, rich kid, who’s entitled, even though she’s not. This book also talks about her love life and what goes on. Syrah hates people knowing she’s rich, so she tries her best to not act or look like it.
August 22, 2019
There is so much I love about this book. There was how even though there was fractured family in the beginning and she felt neglected (she was) the end they spoke and communicated and Syrah had a moment of clarity that how she saw things weren't always the truth and opening up to her mom was a start. I also enjoyed that she got a chance to repair her relationships with her sister and parents there was still the reality that her brother is a dick and they won't have much of a relationship. I also adored how real the aftermath of her injury was. I had injuries me knee and was in the same boat as she was, the denial that we could still do our sport, the anger and the slow acceptance that, yeah this was our drive but there is still a passion and a future. Fuck. It was also so quotable. I love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2019
I honestly enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would, because it was so touching in places and absolutely hilarious in others. I like how the author also incorporated other controversial topics along with Syrah's story, like the "right" body shape. I actually cried when Syrah's Bao-Mu said goodbye to Syrah. The only big complaint I have is that the book didn't really have a satisfying ending; I would've liked to see what happened with Age and with Wayne. But overall, it was a great read!
January 14, 2022
In my opinion the mc was very spoiled and was pathetic, she would complain about everything and then not change it (until the end) it was just annoying (I was like JUST DO IT). I didn’t like the plot it felt like in the beginning and middle was dragging and then at the end it was resolved all too quickly, also the book doesn’t say if her best friend while be her bf! I was waiting for that the whole time. No hate to the author, I just wasn’t a fan of the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2019
This book was alright it was kinda difficult for me to read but this book is about a girl name syrah and everyone thinks shes an golden girl and she has everything a kid would wish to have. i gave this book a 3 star cause it didn't really impress me as much but yeah its a good book for people who like young adult or fiction.
January 2, 2020
this book I could kinda relate to in the scene of how the felt and how people would use her but other then that there was little to no emotion throughout the story and it became
very boring very fast. The theme or message could've been not to use someone or to understand what people want and not to only be selfish about yourself
very boring very fast. The theme or message could've been not to use someone or to understand what people want and not to only be selfish about yourself
May 23, 2021
Some parts were a little confusing, and some parts I did not like, but I think the moral of the story was good. I think that there should have been more romance between Age and Syrah, and I did not like the ending. I have so much more to say about this book, but overall, it was not one of my favorites. I almost DNF'd it.
June 30, 2017
3.75
Some things could have been more flushed out, but I liked it overall. It was a good uplifting read (in its message), and I enjoyed it. It makes me want to work harder on attaining my own dreams.
Some things could have been more flushed out, but I liked it overall. It was a good uplifting read (in its message), and I enjoyed it. It makes me want to work harder on attaining my own dreams.
March 6, 2018
I thought there would be a lot more snowboarding in this book then there was; it's mainly in the beginning chapters and the last ones. It's a nice read however, especially if your hillside. I found some parts boring.
March 14, 2022
2.5. It’s cute, more appropriate for a teenager… but, hey it was a refreshing, easy read after Schindler’s List. I really enjoyed the culture of this book. I could almost smell the dumplings. All I want to know is if little Amanda found her bone marrow match. On to the next one.
May 25, 2023
I’d probably go with 3 1/2 stars but haven’t figured out how to do half stars… I picked the book up from a free little library and read it right through. It held my interest but felt a little “summer beach book”-ish. Engaging, but lacking depth.
December 5, 2023
Very compelling story, main character is right on the edge of believability and relatibility which so many YA authors fail to master. Off-putting and out of place ED like references but overall very consistent. Great ending that eventually won me over.
September 6, 2017
Really good book,
June 29, 2018
Review by J.M. : "I liked this book because I liked Syrah's personality. She was open & truthful. I would recommend this book to my friend." (2013, 3.5 stars)
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