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Szczera i zabawna powieść, która porusza temat body positive, seksualizacji dojrzewających dziewcząt oraz przekonująco i fachowo opisuje zjawisko braku akceptacji własnego ciała.
Piętnastoletnia Greer Walsh jest zabawna, bystra i oczytana, ma oddanych przyjaciół i zwariowaną rodzinę. Greer uważa jednak, że wszyscy zwracają uwagę jedynie na… jej wielki biust. Ostatnio, kiedy się mierzyła, miała rozmiar 30H, ale to było dawno. Od tego czasu Greer nosi koszulki w rozmiarze XXL. Nie potrafi zaakceptować swojego zmieniającego się ciała i reakcji otoczenia na jej kobiece kształty. Wtedy spotyka Jacksona Oatesa – przystojnego nowego w szkole. Na dodatek trwa nabór do drużyny siatkówki, a Greer ma mocny serw. Czy tego lata Greer przestanie się wreszcie chować i polubi się taką, jaką jest?
Piętnastoletnia Greer Walsh jest zabawna, bystra i oczytana, ma oddanych przyjaciół i zwariowaną rodzinę. Greer uważa jednak, że wszyscy zwracają uwagę jedynie na… jej wielki biust. Ostatnio, kiedy się mierzyła, miała rozmiar 30H, ale to było dawno. Od tego czasu Greer nosi koszulki w rozmiarze XXL. Nie potrafi zaakceptować swojego zmieniającego się ciała i reakcji otoczenia na jej kobiece kształty. Wtedy spotyka Jacksona Oatesa – przystojnego nowego w szkole. Na dodatek trwa nabór do drużyny siatkówki, a Greer ma mocny serw. Czy tego lata Greer przestanie się wreszcie chować i polubi się taką, jaką jest?
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2020
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June 22, 2020
Resources for anyone like Greer:
A Bra That Fits
Bratabase
Busty Resources
Edited to add 04.08.20: I removed a star last week because the more I think about this book, the more it upsets me. I'm seeing so many positive reviews, including from professional journals, and I am increasingly baffled by their praise of the body positivity in this book. Yes, Greer learns to be okay with her body, but the body positive message that’s being praised in this book isn’t that your boobs are part of your body and your body is good, it’s that your boobs are enormous and everyone thinks so but it’s okay because you’re not just your enormous boobs that everyone notices constantly. Seriously, folks, it's not body positive to exoticize large breasts. It's not body positive to make it sound like 30H is a size reserved for porn stars, it's not body positive to make it sound like DD+ bras are weird and nonexistent, and it sure as hell isn't body positive to make it sound like it's normal that the first thing every character in this entire book notices about Greer is her huge breasts. America has a really messed up view of big boobs, and this book goes all in on that view. /edit
I am so conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I absolutely loved it. Greer is so realistic, and I remember doing so many of the things that she did when I was her age.
But, y’all. 30H is not that big. Check out the 30H gallery on Bratabase, which shows real bodies wearing real 30H bras. Every single body looks proportional and average and NORMAL. They might need clothes tailored, but absolutely none of them can’t fit into anything off the rack. It might be super baggy around the waist, but it’ll fit. And they would probably fit into size small. (Just an FYI, someone who wears a 30H is going to be about 41 inches around the fullest part of the bust and about 30 inches around the underbust.) So.... there’s something messed up about this book that I feel like I really need to mention: Greer’s breasts are treated as abnormally large when her bra size does not support that.
I get it; I was the girl who lived in an oversized hoodie because I felt like nothing fit and everyone would stare at my boobs if I didn’t hide them, just like Greer. A teenage girl who’s self-conscious about her body isn’t gonna be able to tell herself that she’s totally normal and her big boobs aren’t alarmingly huge because they feel alarmingly huge to her. That’s all well and good and I am so glad it’s represented in a book. BUT. Greer never learns that 30H is actually a pretty common size. That size is available in so many brands! And you can get them for cheap from Amazon! But no, EVERYONE acts like that’s the biggest boobs can get in Greer’s world. Never mind that this book takes place in a suburb of Chicago, explicitly stated to be a 45 minute drive from downtown. Never mind that Chicago is home to Bras Galore, which carries bands from 28 to 46 and cups from A to P. Never mind that Greer apparently Googled extensively enough to find a British YouTuber who rants about her enormous breasts but somehow couldn’t find Bravissimo or Panache or Curvy Kate or literally any brand that has extended sizes. Like, seriously, Greer’s bra predicament is laughably unbelievable to me, and I have been exactly where Greer was.
Sure, Greer’s emotional journey is spot on. But, were I reading this as my teenage self, the lack of a resolution for her practical physical problems would have left me feeling hopeless. Like I’d need all my clothes custom-made and I’d never find a cute, supportive, comfy bra. And, more than that, since my boobs were bigger than Greer’s are stated to be, I would have felt like everyone was constantly staring in shock at my (perfectly normal) body. I think this book falls into the damaging trap that DDs are enormous and anything bigger is ridiculously huge, like larger than a beach ball huge.
I’d recommend it for the emotional journey, but I would never give it to a self-conscious busty teenage girl without a hell of a lot of additional resources.
A Bra That Fits
Bratabase
Busty Resources
Edited to add 04.08.20: I removed a star last week because the more I think about this book, the more it upsets me. I'm seeing so many positive reviews, including from professional journals, and I am increasingly baffled by their praise of the body positivity in this book. Yes, Greer learns to be okay with her body, but the body positive message that’s being praised in this book isn’t that your boobs are part of your body and your body is good, it’s that your boobs are enormous and everyone thinks so but it’s okay because you’re not just your enormous boobs that everyone notices constantly. Seriously, folks, it's not body positive to exoticize large breasts. It's not body positive to make it sound like 30H is a size reserved for porn stars, it's not body positive to make it sound like DD+ bras are weird and nonexistent, and it sure as hell isn't body positive to make it sound like it's normal that the first thing every character in this entire book notices about Greer is her huge breasts. America has a really messed up view of big boobs, and this book goes all in on that view. /edit
I am so conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I absolutely loved it. Greer is so realistic, and I remember doing so many of the things that she did when I was her age.
But, y’all. 30H is not that big. Check out the 30H gallery on Bratabase, which shows real bodies wearing real 30H bras. Every single body looks proportional and average and NORMAL. They might need clothes tailored, but absolutely none of them can’t fit into anything off the rack. It might be super baggy around the waist, but it’ll fit. And they would probably fit into size small. (Just an FYI, someone who wears a 30H is going to be about 41 inches around the fullest part of the bust and about 30 inches around the underbust.) So.... there’s something messed up about this book that I feel like I really need to mention: Greer’s breasts are treated as abnormally large when her bra size does not support that.
I get it; I was the girl who lived in an oversized hoodie because I felt like nothing fit and everyone would stare at my boobs if I didn’t hide them, just like Greer. A teenage girl who’s self-conscious about her body isn’t gonna be able to tell herself that she’s totally normal and her big boobs aren’t alarmingly huge because they feel alarmingly huge to her. That’s all well and good and I am so glad it’s represented in a book. BUT. Greer never learns that 30H is actually a pretty common size. That size is available in so many brands! And you can get them for cheap from Amazon! But no, EVERYONE acts like that’s the biggest boobs can get in Greer’s world. Never mind that this book takes place in a suburb of Chicago, explicitly stated to be a 45 minute drive from downtown. Never mind that Chicago is home to Bras Galore, which carries bands from 28 to 46 and cups from A to P. Never mind that Greer apparently Googled extensively enough to find a British YouTuber who rants about her enormous breasts but somehow couldn’t find Bravissimo or Panache or Curvy Kate or literally any brand that has extended sizes. Like, seriously, Greer’s bra predicament is laughably unbelievable to me, and I have been exactly where Greer was.
Sure, Greer’s emotional journey is spot on. But, were I reading this as my teenage self, the lack of a resolution for her practical physical problems would have left me feeling hopeless. Like I’d need all my clothes custom-made and I’d never find a cute, supportive, comfy bra. And, more than that, since my boobs were bigger than Greer’s are stated to be, I would have felt like everyone was constantly staring in shock at my (perfectly normal) body. I think this book falls into the damaging trap that DDs are enormous and anything bigger is ridiculously huge, like larger than a beach ball huge.
I’d recommend it for the emotional journey, but I would never give it to a self-conscious busty teenage girl without a hell of a lot of additional resources.
March 26, 2021
This book was interesting for a few different reasons. I've read quite a few books that focus specifically on body positivity; however, I haven't read one that focused specifically on the size of breasts and how it could impact teens. There are a few elements about this that I really enjoyed and others that needed more development and exploration. 3.5 Stars.
My Eyes Are Up Here specifically focuses on a sophomore by the name of Greer as she describes her experience of having big boobs. Greer develops in ways unlike her peers which causes her to attempt to wear clothes that hide the size of her boobs. These clothes are often baggy, shapeless and a few sizes too large. Even amongst her friends, Greer refrains from talking about her boobs. She has athletic abilities; however, she doesn't want to try out for any sports because she doesn't have the right bras to support her boobs. She is often bullied and when a potential relationship arises, she feels insecure about her appearance.
There were several things that I enjoyed about this novel including the idea that it illustrates how fixated people can be with their bodies especially teen girls. It's quite difficult developing at faster rates and in more pronounced ways than your peers. While I didn't have this issue in terms of my boobs, I felt this way about my butt and hips. I was shaped differently than a lot of other girls and it brought a lot of unwanted attention. Because of this experience, I definitely resonated with Greer as a character. There were also some great side characters such as Jessa. Jessa proved to be a force to be reckoned with and I absolutely adored her as a support for Greer. This was also a book that focused on not allowing lack of body positivity to determine whether someone should or should not continue to live their life and reach their goals. There was a lot that Greer pushed past in order to be able to fulfill some of her dreams and goals.
While there were a few things that I did like, there were quite a few things that I did not like. Quite a few reviewers have stated this before me, but I also did not like that Greer's boobs were personified. By doing this, Greer was diminished as a character. She was never anyone outside of her boobs and that bothered me as a reader. I also had personal issues with Greer's mother. As a parent, she did and said some things that bothered me to a certain extent. She did try to appease to Greer's needs at some point, but in other ways she pissed me off. I also did not like the fact that the author seemingly omitted resources for Greer. She made it seem as though a size H bra does not exist and that’s not necessarily true. I think that any discussion about the cost of bras especially great bras is valid, but painting a picture where it seems as though there is nothing out there isn't quite true. This doesn't negate Greer's experience; however, I think that readers deserve a little bit more of a well-rounded story.
This was a solid read. I enjoyed the writing and I think that there were genuinely some really strong moments in the book. It was great that the romance was not necessarily the center of the book. I know some people feel as though Greer centered how she felt about herself based on the relationship; however, I don't necessarily agree and in some ways it's important to remember that the main character is around 15/16. It is likely that a teen would center how they feel about their body in comparison to their peers and also in perspective of romantic relationships. Of course, conversations should occur to deter this behavior, but I did anticipate that happening. If you're looking for an interesting YA book I would recommend giving this a try.
My Eyes Are Up Here specifically focuses on a sophomore by the name of Greer as she describes her experience of having big boobs. Greer develops in ways unlike her peers which causes her to attempt to wear clothes that hide the size of her boobs. These clothes are often baggy, shapeless and a few sizes too large. Even amongst her friends, Greer refrains from talking about her boobs. She has athletic abilities; however, she doesn't want to try out for any sports because she doesn't have the right bras to support her boobs. She is often bullied and when a potential relationship arises, she feels insecure about her appearance.
There were several things that I enjoyed about this novel including the idea that it illustrates how fixated people can be with their bodies especially teen girls. It's quite difficult developing at faster rates and in more pronounced ways than your peers. While I didn't have this issue in terms of my boobs, I felt this way about my butt and hips. I was shaped differently than a lot of other girls and it brought a lot of unwanted attention. Because of this experience, I definitely resonated with Greer as a character. There were also some great side characters such as Jessa. Jessa proved to be a force to be reckoned with and I absolutely adored her as a support for Greer. This was also a book that focused on not allowing lack of body positivity to determine whether someone should or should not continue to live their life and reach their goals. There was a lot that Greer pushed past in order to be able to fulfill some of her dreams and goals.
While there were a few things that I did like, there were quite a few things that I did not like. Quite a few reviewers have stated this before me, but I also did not like that Greer's boobs were personified. By doing this, Greer was diminished as a character. She was never anyone outside of her boobs and that bothered me as a reader. I also had personal issues with Greer's mother. As a parent, she did and said some things that bothered me to a certain extent. She did try to appease to Greer's needs at some point, but in other ways she pissed me off. I also did not like the fact that the author seemingly omitted resources for Greer. She made it seem as though a size H bra does not exist and that’s not necessarily true. I think that any discussion about the cost of bras especially great bras is valid, but painting a picture where it seems as though there is nothing out there isn't quite true. This doesn't negate Greer's experience; however, I think that readers deserve a little bit more of a well-rounded story.
This was a solid read. I enjoyed the writing and I think that there were genuinely some really strong moments in the book. It was great that the romance was not necessarily the center of the book. I know some people feel as though Greer centered how she felt about herself based on the relationship; however, I don't necessarily agree and in some ways it's important to remember that the main character is around 15/16. It is likely that a teen would center how they feel about their body in comparison to their peers and also in perspective of romantic relationships. Of course, conversations should occur to deter this behavior, but I did anticipate that happening. If you're looking for an interesting YA book I would recommend giving this a try.
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July 4, 2020I'm going to need to write a lot more about this, but high school me who never found dresses that fit my boobs and didn't make me swim in the rest of it, who didn't get to wear cute bras like other folks, who always had to get a "special" uniform for badminton....is so grateful for a book about a girl with big boobs figuring it out, too.
It's funny and heartwarming and Greer is so painfully relatable. Could she go online and find a special store for a 30H bra? Sure, but she's a teenager without a credit card, and it was hard enough for her to ask her mother for a special sports bra. Is 30H especially big? No, but when you're in high school, it is (I know because I was there--they don't make clothes that fit you then, especially, and it doesn't get better as you age, except you have access to more online resources, which ultimately cost more money and you don't get to try on, so).
My favorite character is Jessa, the rad volleyball teammate who was a helluva team player all around.
It's funny and heartwarming and Greer is so painfully relatable. Could she go online and find a special store for a 30H bra? Sure, but she's a teenager without a credit card, and it was hard enough for her to ask her mother for a special sports bra. Is 30H especially big? No, but when you're in high school, it is (I know because I was there--they don't make clothes that fit you then, especially, and it doesn't get better as you age, except you have access to more online resources, which ultimately cost more money and you don't get to try on, so).
My favorite character is Jessa, the rad volleyball teammate who was a helluva team player all around.
December 15, 2020
A book that every girl needs to read at some point in their life.
“Ever since everything changed the summer before ninth grade, Greer has felt out of control. She can't control her first impressions, the whispers that follow, or the stares that linger after. The best she can do is put on her faithful XXL sweatshirt and let her posture - and her expectations for other people - slump.
But people - strangers and friends - seem strangely determined to remind her that life is not supposed to be this way. Despite carefully avoiding physical contact and anything tighter than a puffy coat, Greer finds an unexpected community on the volleyball squad, the team that hugs between every point and wears a uniform ‘so tight it can squeeze out tears.’ And then there's Jackson Oates, newly arrived at her school and maybe actually more interested in her banter than her breasts.”
I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book that I lost count. Zimmerman’s writing is frank, heartfelt, and hilarious. The honesty in this book is infused with hope and warmth, as lonely as Greer is. I ached for her so much in this story!
I was lucky enough to be around women in my early adolescence who celebrated their different body types. Growing up, I had always been curvier and stronger than my friends; my boobs, hips, butt, and thighs had always been bigger than theirs, no question. And I was definitely harassed for it. But I never took shame in my appearance (though it’s still hard), because I had an amazing mother and sister whose bodies were - are - strong too.
“Voluptuous Abbie” was one of the nicknames I had in school. Whether the intention was meant to flatter or not, I wore that title like a crown regardless. Just as Greer learns to do in this beautiful book.
It’s still very hard sometimes, especially when the media is constantly telling you what beauty is. But it’s books like these that remind me that beauty comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes. And I’m not so ashamed anymore.
P.S. Also: JACKSON. WHAT A CINNAMON ROLL. The romance was SO freaking sweet. I can’t stop thinking about this adorable human.
A big thank you to Penguin Teen for gifting me with this ARC!
To check out my My Eyes Are Up Here post on Bookstagram, click here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CB09Er4g6Rg/
“Ever since everything changed the summer before ninth grade, Greer has felt out of control. She can't control her first impressions, the whispers that follow, or the stares that linger after. The best she can do is put on her faithful XXL sweatshirt and let her posture - and her expectations for other people - slump.
But people - strangers and friends - seem strangely determined to remind her that life is not supposed to be this way. Despite carefully avoiding physical contact and anything tighter than a puffy coat, Greer finds an unexpected community on the volleyball squad, the team that hugs between every point and wears a uniform ‘so tight it can squeeze out tears.’ And then there's Jackson Oates, newly arrived at her school and maybe actually more interested in her banter than her breasts.”
I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book that I lost count. Zimmerman’s writing is frank, heartfelt, and hilarious. The honesty in this book is infused with hope and warmth, as lonely as Greer is. I ached for her so much in this story!
“I am ashamed of being ashamed of being ashamed. And that is the part that no one else understands.”
I was lucky enough to be around women in my early adolescence who celebrated their different body types. Growing up, I had always been curvier and stronger than my friends; my boobs, hips, butt, and thighs had always been bigger than theirs, no question. And I was definitely harassed for it. But I never took shame in my appearance (though it’s still hard), because I had an amazing mother and sister whose bodies were - are - strong too.
“Voluptuous Abbie” was one of the nicknames I had in school. Whether the intention was meant to flatter or not, I wore that title like a crown regardless. Just as Greer learns to do in this beautiful book.
“...I went to a lot of trouble to learn how to wear it. To wear this patchwork of parts. To wear this girl that is twirly and smart and funny and strong all at the same time. To wear this body.”
It’s still very hard sometimes, especially when the media is constantly telling you what beauty is. But it’s books like these that remind me that beauty comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes. And I’m not so ashamed anymore.
P.S. Also: JACKSON. WHAT A CINNAMON ROLL. The romance was SO freaking sweet. I can’t stop thinking about this adorable human.
A big thank you to Penguin Teen for gifting me with this ARC!
To check out my My Eyes Are Up Here post on Bookstagram, click here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CB09Er4g6Rg/
April 24, 2021
Excellente lecture. Sujet important, traité de façon réaliste. Pis c’est le fun de voir des personnages qui semblent réellement adolescents!
June 7, 2020
Thank you for Penguin Teen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
“I am ashamed of being ashamed of being ashamed. And that is the part that no one else understands.”
My Eyes are Up Here is such an amazing book. I felt every emotion in this book and I could totally relate to the main character Greer. She was such a well-developed character and so relatable. She is a sophomore in high school and her chest has not only filled out, but she has ginormous boobs. She has even named her boobs (which I thought was hilarious). Greer wears oversized sweatshirts 365 days a year and slouches so no one notices her breasts. She is super self-conscious; I mean who wouldn’t be and is trying to deal with that.
I really loved how realistic this whole entire book was, Greer’s thoughts, her awkwardness, and just about everything else. I loved the female friendships. I WISH I had some amazing friends like Greer has. Jessa and Maggie are side characters, but they have so much to do with this story and are amazing friends to Greer. What Greer goes through especially in a high school setting happens to so many other girls and women. In this world so many people are judging people by their looks, and this book goes to show that you should never judge anyone ever by their looks. Greer is so much more than just a teenage girl with big boobs, I loved her transformation.
I knew romance would play a part in this, but it was such a side note that it made me love it even more. Greer does not change because of a boy, she learns so much and becomes such a better more confident girl because she wants to. Her friends and mother help her gain confidence and are there for her. Yes, the romance was very cute, but it didn’t overshadow the main point of this book.
I really can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed this book. I think many girls/women of all ages will appreciate this book and love every character. I have to admit some parts are heavy and my heart ached for Greer, but that’s the point. High school and life are hard enough without people judging you for how perfect your makeup is, your hair, and how big your boobs are.
“I am ashamed of being ashamed of being ashamed. And that is the part that no one else understands.”
My Eyes are Up Here is such an amazing book. I felt every emotion in this book and I could totally relate to the main character Greer. She was such a well-developed character and so relatable. She is a sophomore in high school and her chest has not only filled out, but she has ginormous boobs. She has even named her boobs (which I thought was hilarious). Greer wears oversized sweatshirts 365 days a year and slouches so no one notices her breasts. She is super self-conscious; I mean who wouldn’t be and is trying to deal with that.
I really loved how realistic this whole entire book was, Greer’s thoughts, her awkwardness, and just about everything else. I loved the female friendships. I WISH I had some amazing friends like Greer has. Jessa and Maggie are side characters, but they have so much to do with this story and are amazing friends to Greer. What Greer goes through especially in a high school setting happens to so many other girls and women. In this world so many people are judging people by their looks, and this book goes to show that you should never judge anyone ever by their looks. Greer is so much more than just a teenage girl with big boobs, I loved her transformation.
I knew romance would play a part in this, but it was such a side note that it made me love it even more. Greer does not change because of a boy, she learns so much and becomes such a better more confident girl because she wants to. Her friends and mother help her gain confidence and are there for her. Yes, the romance was very cute, but it didn’t overshadow the main point of this book.
I really can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed this book. I think many girls/women of all ages will appreciate this book and love every character. I have to admit some parts are heavy and my heart ached for Greer, but that’s the point. High school and life are hard enough without people judging you for how perfect your makeup is, your hair, and how big your boobs are.
March 15, 2021
4,5⭐️ pour ce roman de Laura Zimmermann. J’ai beaucoup beaucoup aimé Greer même si je ne sais toujours pas comment prononcer son prénom! C’est l’histoire de cette jeune fille de 5e secondaire qui souffre autant physiquement que psychologiquement de la grosseur démesurée de sa poitrine. On la suit avec tellement d’humour dans cette rencontre qui va tout changer et on la voit s’épanouir peu à peu grâce à cette belle équipe de volley, à sa meilleure amie, à cette jeune cleptomane qui s’attache drôlement à elle. J’ai adoré le réalisme de cette histoire, chaque jeune fille peut aisément s’identifier à elle parce que, des complexes envers notre corps, nous en avons toutes!
Une très, très belle histoire d’amitié, de confiance, de femmes fortes et fières. Et le tout parsemé d’une romance qui réveille Dame Papillonne 🦋✨
Mes élèves matures (filles) de 2e secondaire apprécieraient certainement, mais on parle beaucoup trop de seins pour mes p’tits gars!!!
Une très, très belle histoire d’amitié, de confiance, de femmes fortes et fières. Et le tout parsemé d’une romance qui réveille Dame Papillonne 🦋✨
Mes élèves matures (filles) de 2e secondaire apprécieraient certainement, mais on parle beaucoup trop de seins pour mes p’tits gars!!!
August 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Our heroine Greer has a problem that is affecting nearly everything in her life. She's smart (very good at maths), she's encouraged to try out for the high school volleyball team for her first real sport experience, she has a supportive family and a great friend in Maggie, and on top of all this she has a very well developed chest.
There is virtually nothing sexual in this story, just how does a young woman deal with having a body that everyone seems to notice (or Greer certainly thinks they do), some boys tease her badly (no girls in the book though) and she learns to compensate and deal with what is happening to her body and in her life.
Recommended.
There is virtually nothing sexual in this story, just how does a young woman deal with having a body that everyone seems to notice (or Greer certainly thinks they do), some boys tease her badly (no girls in the book though) and she learns to compensate and deal with what is happening to her body and in her life.
Recommended.
August 7, 2020
Actual Rating: 4.1/5
This was just what I needed to get my ass out of a reading slump, and I enjoyed it immensely, even as it gave me the feels.
My Eyes Are Up Here is about a teenage girl’s struggle with her body image. 15 year old Greer’s is busty, and like some people at that age with that one “issue” with their body, she constantly obsesses over it. Even when she’s hiding in her men’s XXL sweatshirt and slouching, she’s preoccupied about the size of her breasts, and struggles with feelings of shame and anxiety, and frequently compares her body with that of other people.
The first thing people seem to notice about her are were her breasts which she hilariously and self-deprecatingly named Maude and Mavis. It also felt like she was the only busty one in the world (well, her neighborhood) and that having a big chest was some kind of abnormality.
You see, you’d either get frustrated with this book and how it handled the issue of Greer, Maude and Mavis, or you’d love it for how relatable it is. The story might feel like an overreaction to some people, but I remember being a teenager with slightly larger front teeth. I was Bugs Bunny and I was certain that the only thing anyone who looked at my face would see was teeth, so I frowned a lot. Heck yes, I was irrational, but in the world of 13-14 year old me, there was nothing more horrendous in this world than my central incisors. It was a different situation, yes, but I could understand Greer. A lot.
The story also explores what I’d call the “choose-ables”. Be pretty or smart. Make statement or be cute. Why be this or that when you can be both? Sure, these messages are not new, but it still needs to be shouted out for the people sitting at the back.
The importance of making connections and interpersonal relationships to our emotional health was also touched on.
I absolutely adored the supporting characters. They were very, well, supportive. It’s always great to have a good support system, because Greer would have been worse off without Jessa and Maggie, even if they didn’t really understand how she felt all the time. Her mom could have handled it better, but well, I can understand why she didn’t…or couldn’t have.
There’s also a bit of a romance here that complimented the main story.
This was just what I needed to get my ass out of a reading slump, and I enjoyed it immensely, even as it gave me the feels.
My Eyes Are Up Here is about a teenage girl’s struggle with her body image. 15 year old Greer’s is busty, and like some people at that age with that one “issue” with their body, she constantly obsesses over it. Even when she’s hiding in her men’s XXL sweatshirt and slouching, she’s preoccupied about the size of her breasts, and struggles with feelings of shame and anxiety, and frequently compares her body with that of other people.
The first thing people seem to notice about her are were her breasts which she hilariously and self-deprecatingly named Maude and Mavis. It also felt like she was the only busty one in the world (well, her neighborhood) and that having a big chest was some kind of abnormality.
You see, you’d either get frustrated with this book and how it handled the issue of Greer, Maude and Mavis, or you’d love it for how relatable it is. The story might feel like an overreaction to some people, but I remember being a teenager with slightly larger front teeth. I was Bugs Bunny and I was certain that the only thing anyone who looked at my face would see was teeth, so I frowned a lot. Heck yes, I was irrational, but in the world of 13-14 year old me, there was nothing more horrendous in this world than my central incisors. It was a different situation, yes, but I could understand Greer. A lot.
The story also explores what I’d call the “choose-ables”. Be pretty or smart. Make statement or be cute. Why be this or that when you can be both? Sure, these messages are not new, but it still needs to be shouted out for the people sitting at the back.
The importance of making connections and interpersonal relationships to our emotional health was also touched on.
I absolutely adored the supporting characters. They were very, well, supportive. It’s always great to have a good support system, because Greer would have been worse off without Jessa and Maggie, even if they didn’t really understand how she felt all the time. Her mom could have handled it better, but well, I can understand why she didn’t…or couldn’t have.
There’s also a bit of a romance here that complimented the main story.
March 12, 2021
I really really liked it!!
This was one of those books that make you think......Do people out there seriously face problems because their breasts are big? On my own, I would have never imagined it; I mean almost every girl faces problems with breasts in jumping, running, sweating, trying on clothes, etc., but I never knew that these could be very serious problems, causing other health problems.
So, this book was a bit of an eye-opener in that way. Also, like I commented on one of my updates, I did not know that girls in America too have to face problems with availability of bras in different sizes. I, personally, haven't faced a lot of problems in this department, but it is mostly relatable.
The thing I did not like a lot, was the romance; I mean, don't get me wrong, it was good but I thought it could have been written a bit better? Because nearing the end of the book, I wasn't really sure whether I wanted these two to end up together.
I really liked that her support in this book was a solid one; I mean no one cared that she might be different, and everyone was really supportive.
I really liked this book, and I recommend it to any girl who has ever faced the slightest problem with her decolletage (I really miss Sophronia), and likes a bit of romance thrown in with a good plot.
This was one of those books that make you think......Do people out there seriously face problems because their breasts are big? On my own, I would have never imagined it; I mean almost every girl faces problems with breasts in jumping, running, sweating, trying on clothes, etc., but I never knew that these could be very serious problems, causing other health problems.
So, this book was a bit of an eye-opener in that way. Also, like I commented on one of my updates, I did not know that girls in America too have to face problems with availability of bras in different sizes. I, personally, haven't faced a lot of problems in this department, but it is mostly relatable.
The thing I did not like a lot, was the romance; I mean, don't get me wrong, it was good but I thought it could have been written a bit better? Because nearing the end of the book, I wasn't really sure whether I wanted these two to end up together.
I really liked that her support in this book was a solid one; I mean no one cared that she might be different, and everyone was really supportive.
I really liked this book, and I recommend it to any girl who has ever faced the slightest problem with her decolletage (I really miss Sophronia), and likes a bit of romance thrown in with a good plot.
August 28, 2020
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
15-year-old Greer is a sophomore, just trying to find her way through high school. Unfortunately, she is self-conscious about her size 30H boobs. Then a boy named Jackson steps into her life and she needs to navigate her growing feelings for him as well as her insecurities with her body and the way people view her.
I really liked Greer as the main character, I thought she was a huge dork and definitely relatable for those her age. I think her humour was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed watching Greer develop and become more confident as the story went on. I loved the female friendships in this! Maggie and Jessa were great additions to the story, and I loved how they always had each others backs. I also really liked how the romance was not the MAIN focus of Greer's story. I also really liked how volleyball and team dynamics was a big focus in the book too, as I spent most of my teenage years in team sports which definitely developed me into the person I am today.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
15-year-old Greer is a sophomore, just trying to find her way through high school. Unfortunately, she is self-conscious about her size 30H boobs. Then a boy named Jackson steps into her life and she needs to navigate her growing feelings for him as well as her insecurities with her body and the way people view her.
I really liked Greer as the main character, I thought she was a huge dork and definitely relatable for those her age. I think her humour was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed watching Greer develop and become more confident as the story went on. I loved the female friendships in this! Maggie and Jessa were great additions to the story, and I loved how they always had each others backs. I also really liked how the romance was not the MAIN focus of Greer's story. I also really liked how volleyball and team dynamics was a big focus in the book too, as I spent most of my teenage years in team sports which definitely developed me into the person I am today.
December 11, 2023
4.5
i love love loved this so much (im pointedly gonna ignore her weird mother)
i love love loved this so much (im pointedly gonna ignore her weird mother)
January 7, 2021
This book was one of the most realistic and relatable YA contemporaries I've ever read. It reminded me of my own days when I just started high school.
August 13, 2020
What a wonderful debut novel! Seriously, this book made me smile and feel things and laugh. If you like contemporaries with a powerful narrative voice and themes of body image and owning who you are, absolutely do not miss My Eyes Are Up Here
The central relationship in My Eyes Are Up Here is the one between Greer and her breasts. No, really. Greer has an H-cup, and ever since the breasts ballooned out basically overnight, they've completely dominated her life. Maude and Mavis, aka the names she gave her breasts, prevent her from doing pretty much everything. She wears way oversize clothing, like men's XL t-shirts and sweatshirts, because they're one of the only things she can wear that fits and also will mask how large her chest is somewhat, because she also does not want attention because of her breasts. Athletic activities hurt. She doesn't swim because of the coverage issue. So, at its core, this book is about Greer coming to have a more positive relationship with her own body.
Now, I have never had large breasts, so almost none of this was a lived experience for me in the boob department, though I think most every woman who has ever worn a bra understands how freaking difficult it is to find one that fits well. Even though these weren't experiences I had, everything still felt so freaking relatable because of how great Greer's voice is. She talks about her life and her struggles in a way that is open and clear. This is a great book for pretty much any pre-teen or teen (or adult woman) to help her learn to appreciate her breasts at whatever size. American culture glorifies large breasts, so it can be easy to envy women who have them, but it's important to remember they present their own struggles. There's also some discussion of public hair and what to do with it, which is a nice thing to see in YA. And I think this is the only YA book I've ever read with discussions about breast reduction surgery!
A big part of Greer's journey is discovering she has some natural skill for volleyball and joining the team, even though she thinks it's a terrible idea. Learning that she can have power over her body (and buying a super intense sports bra that can actually contain Maude and Mavis) is key to her developing a healthier relationship with her body.
The relationships between Greer and other people are amazing too. Some standouts for me were her best friend, Jackson, and Jackson's little sister. There are a lot of moments where Greer gets help from others, people who notice her struggle and give her practical advice, starting with the volleyball coach who recommends the sports bra, but one of the emotional highlights of the book for me was when she stood beside her bestie during a stressful moment for her outspoken bestie; in that moment, Greer realizes that, even if she can't do anything, just having someone there can be so powerful. It's nice because that moment remembers that by not being there for herself, she maybe hasn't been there for others either.
Jackson's her love interest, and they're absolutely precious and adorable. It's a very high school romance, which I mean in the best way. Like, a lot of YA romance, things evolve in this way that is amazing for fiction but not necessarily realistic (no shade, I love that too), but this one is awkward and missed cues and overthinking and just so so real. I totally ship these two dorks. (Even if the pronunciation of the German in the audiobook is absolutely atrocious, as are Greer's thoughts about the girl in his German class crushing on him—I know Greer doesn't know German, but GAH!)
The emotional punch I really was not expecting was Jackson's little sister, who's introduced as a little devil basically. She's a kleptomaniac and seems emotionally off in the early scenes. And those things are definitely true; she's weird and she does steal. But Greer connects with her, and she's this lonely girl, and HELP I am having a feeling. Someone save me.
This is one of those books that I liked immediately but that then proceeded to completely emotionally enrapture me by the end. Seriously, this is such a fantastic and relatable YA contemporary, and I thoroughly recommend it. An excellent readalike is We Are Not the Perfect Girl, also all about body image with a voice like whoa.
The central relationship in My Eyes Are Up Here is the one between Greer and her breasts. No, really. Greer has an H-cup, and ever since the breasts ballooned out basically overnight, they've completely dominated her life. Maude and Mavis, aka the names she gave her breasts, prevent her from doing pretty much everything. She wears way oversize clothing, like men's XL t-shirts and sweatshirts, because they're one of the only things she can wear that fits and also will mask how large her chest is somewhat, because she also does not want attention because of her breasts. Athletic activities hurt. She doesn't swim because of the coverage issue. So, at its core, this book is about Greer coming to have a more positive relationship with her own body.
Now, I have never had large breasts, so almost none of this was a lived experience for me in the boob department, though I think most every woman who has ever worn a bra understands how freaking difficult it is to find one that fits well. Even though these weren't experiences I had, everything still felt so freaking relatable because of how great Greer's voice is. She talks about her life and her struggles in a way that is open and clear. This is a great book for pretty much any pre-teen or teen (or adult woman) to help her learn to appreciate her breasts at whatever size. American culture glorifies large breasts, so it can be easy to envy women who have them, but it's important to remember they present their own struggles. There's also some discussion of public hair and what to do with it, which is a nice thing to see in YA. And I think this is the only YA book I've ever read with discussions about breast reduction surgery!
A big part of Greer's journey is discovering she has some natural skill for volleyball and joining the team, even though she thinks it's a terrible idea. Learning that she can have power over her body (and buying a super intense sports bra that can actually contain Maude and Mavis) is key to her developing a healthier relationship with her body.
The relationships between Greer and other people are amazing too. Some standouts for me were her best friend, Jackson, and Jackson's little sister. There are a lot of moments where Greer gets help from others, people who notice her struggle and give her practical advice, starting with the volleyball coach who recommends the sports bra, but one of the emotional highlights of the book for me was when she stood beside her bestie during a stressful moment for her outspoken bestie; in that moment, Greer realizes that, even if she can't do anything, just having someone there can be so powerful. It's nice because that moment remembers that by not being there for herself, she maybe hasn't been there for others either.
Jackson's her love interest, and they're absolutely precious and adorable. It's a very high school romance, which I mean in the best way. Like, a lot of YA romance, things evolve in this way that is amazing for fiction but not necessarily realistic (no shade, I love that too), but this one is awkward and missed cues and overthinking and just so so real. I totally ship these two dorks. (Even if the pronunciation of the German in the audiobook is absolutely atrocious, as are Greer's thoughts about the girl in his German class crushing on him—I know Greer doesn't know German, but GAH!)
The emotional punch I really was not expecting was Jackson's little sister, who's introduced as a little devil basically. She's a kleptomaniac and seems emotionally off in the early scenes. And those things are definitely true; she's weird and she does steal. But Greer connects with her, and she's this lonely girl, and HELP I am having a feeling. Someone save me.
This is one of those books that I liked immediately but that then proceeded to completely emotionally enrapture me by the end. Seriously, this is such a fantastic and relatable YA contemporary, and I thoroughly recommend it. An excellent readalike is We Are Not the Perfect Girl, also all about body image with a voice like whoa.
July 3, 2020
2.5* i hate that i had to feel this way about this book.
cons:
- i was looking for a lot more body positivity & to see confidence built over the course of greer’s insecurities. sadly, it was more information then i wanted. it was always about her-chest this and that. i was bored and annoyed of it.
- christ, there were so many immature jokes that i just couldn’t take. people. do. not. talk. like. this.
- i kept forgetting that most of the characters in the book were sophomores and not 8th graders, and this book probably would have done better if it was targeted towards a younger audience.
- the similes and metaphors comparing her chest to something got annoying really fast.
- jackson is the most boring, basic horny guy that nobody cares about, or me in that case.
-the ending... jackson FINALLY confessed his supposed love for greer, but i never got the vibes that he even genuinely cared for her, tbh. they barely even talked to her in the course of 6 months or whatever. & so he is telling her that he honestly noticed her chest when they first met, and that he thinks about her body all the time. it was just kinda weird and made me cringe. their “romance” is fueled by hormones severely.
-the shift from greer being so immensely insecure to not giving a flying shoff what people think was so fast and badly paced.
the pacing is just really bad. so many times, where i didn’t know what the setting was or who was talking.
pros:
- supporting characters were decent.
- body confidence
- short chapters
cons:
- i was looking for a lot more body positivity & to see confidence built over the course of greer’s insecurities. sadly, it was more information then i wanted. it was always about her-chest this and that. i was bored and annoyed of it.
- christ, there were so many immature jokes that i just couldn’t take. people. do. not. talk. like. this.
- i kept forgetting that most of the characters in the book were sophomores and not 8th graders, and this book probably would have done better if it was targeted towards a younger audience.
- the similes and metaphors comparing her chest to something got annoying really fast.
- jackson is the most boring, basic horny guy that nobody cares about, or me in that case.
-the ending... jackson FINALLY confessed his supposed love for greer, but i never got the vibes that he even genuinely cared for her, tbh. they barely even talked to her in the course of 6 months or whatever. & so he is telling her that he honestly noticed her chest when they first met, and that he thinks about her body all the time. it was just kinda weird and made me cringe. their “romance” is fueled by hormones severely.
-the shift from greer being so immensely insecure to not giving a flying shoff what people think was so fast and badly paced.
the pacing is just really bad. so many times, where i didn’t know what the setting was or who was talking.
pros:
- supporting characters were decent.
- body confidence
- short chapters
November 10, 2020
My Eyes Are Up Here
BY Laura Zimmermann
My Eyes Are Up Here is a wonderful debut that is a great take on a 15 year old girl named Greer Walsh and how her body changes everything from how she sees herself and how others see her. It truly is a great story, funny banter and the teenage angst were all written very well. Underneath it all is how a young woman deals with her own body image and accepting herself and loving herself first and foremost. I loved and enjoyed that she found a community of friends in her volleyball team that supports her for who she is. This is an endearing story that will resonate with a lot of readers who went through changes if not the breasts, it's acne, height, weight, and a lot of other things that may seem trivial but really quite emotionally draining and taxing as you just want to fit in just like all the rest.
This is a book I will recommend to all readers for the fun and light read with a beautiful layer of friendship and acceptance theme that I really enjoyed reading about.
BY Laura Zimmermann
My Eyes Are Up Here is a wonderful debut that is a great take on a 15 year old girl named Greer Walsh and how her body changes everything from how she sees herself and how others see her. It truly is a great story, funny banter and the teenage angst were all written very well. Underneath it all is how a young woman deals with her own body image and accepting herself and loving herself first and foremost. I loved and enjoyed that she found a community of friends in her volleyball team that supports her for who she is. This is an endearing story that will resonate with a lot of readers who went through changes if not the breasts, it's acne, height, weight, and a lot of other things that may seem trivial but really quite emotionally draining and taxing as you just want to fit in just like all the rest.
This is a book I will recommend to all readers for the fun and light read with a beautiful layer of friendship and acceptance theme that I really enjoyed reading about.
September 4, 2020
I was not really thinking when I picked this book. Otherwise, I would not have gotten it. The title alone would have been a good reason for me to give it a pass. Mostly because such titles lead to stories/writing that makes me cringe and uncomfortable.
All I knew when I got it was that I needed something to get me through the weekend. I started reading it on Saturday evening pretty sure I wasn't going to go far with it(because my brain cells were working and I had noticed the title)
Surprise, surprise I couldn't put it down. Four hours later I was done and a little teary after that last chapter.
This was amazing. It was inspiring and I was totally getting feminist vibes the entire time. I have started compiling a list of RECs for my future daughter. I don't know what number this will be placed in, but it will definitely feature in the list.
I still can't believe I got through a YA book that wasn't fantasy and one which was completely clean *gasp*.
All I knew when I got it was that I needed something to get me through the weekend. I started reading it on Saturday evening pretty sure I wasn't going to go far with it(because my brain cells were working and I had noticed the title)
Surprise, surprise I couldn't put it down. Four hours later I was done and a little teary after that last chapter.
This was amazing. It was inspiring and I was totally getting feminist vibes the entire time. I have started compiling a list of RECs for my future daughter. I don't know what number this will be placed in, but it will definitely feature in the list.
I still can't believe I got through a YA book that wasn't fantasy and one which was completely clean *gasp*.
September 11, 2020
Greer ist klug, lustig und schlagfertig. Sie ist ein richtiges Ass in Mathe und eine tolle beste Freundin. Ihren Körper aber versteckt die 15-jährige stets in den größten Hoodies, die sie nur finden kann. Greer hat sehr, sehr große Brüste, worunter sie entsetzlich leidet. Rückenschmerzen, fiese Kommentare von Jungs, Probleme beim Klamottenkaufen...Manchmal würde sich Greer am liebsten einfach nur noch verkriechen. Doch dann wird ihr Talent fürs Volleyball spielen entdeckt und sie wird Teil der Schulmannschaft. Zudem lernt sie den charmanten Jackson kennen, der ihr ständig Schmetterlinge in den Bauch zaubert. Je mehr Unterstützung und Zustimmung Greer erhält, desto besser gelingt es ihr, ihren Körper zu akzeptieren und aus ihrem Versteck herauszukommen.
Ich lag mit meiner Vermutung absolut richtig: Ja, der Arctis Verlag hat es mal wieder geschafft - „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ ist ein absolutes Highlight für mich! In meinen Augen ist Laura Zimmermann mit „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ ein ganz fantastisches Jugendbuchdebüt gelungen, bei welchem ich so sehr hoffe, dass es den Weg zu vielen, vielen Leser*innen finden wird. Dieses Buch verdient es einfach, von ganz vielen Menschen gelesen und geliebt zu werden. Ich werde mit meiner Rezension nun auf jeden Fall mein Bestes geben, euch Greers Geschichte so richtig schön schmackhaft zu machen, sodass ihr nach dem Lesen meiner Rezi den unbändigen Drang verspüren werdet, sofort in den nächsten Buchladen zu stürmen, um euch das Buch zuzulegen. :D
Ich wusste schon nach den ersten paar Seiten, dass ich mal wieder einen richtigen Glückstreffer gelandet habe. Der Schreibstil gefiel mir auf Anhieb wahnsinnig gut. Er ist humorvoll, locker und leicht und unheimlich mitreißend. Für mich hat er sich hervorragend lesen lassen und da mich die Handlung von Anfang bis Ende durchgehend fesseln konnte und die Kapitel zudem wunderbar kurz sind, bin ich nur so durch Seiten geflogen und habe das Buch für meinen Geschmack leider viel zu schnell wieder beendet.
Womit „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ ebenfalls sofort bei mir punkten konnte, ist unsere 15-jährige Hauptprotagonistin Greer, aus deren Sicht wir alles in der Ich-Perspektive erfahren. Greer fand ich einfach nur großartig! Sie ist ehrlich, lustig und sympathisch und besitzt eine Selbstironie, die man einfach lieben muss. Große Klasse fand ich, dass Greer eine Leseratte ist. Ich liebe das einfach total, wenn Protagonisten meine große Bücherliebe mit mir teilen. (Greer mag die Artemis Fowl-Reihe. Ich auch!). Mit Greers Leidenschaft für die Mathematik konnte ich mich nun eher weniger identifizieren und Volleyball ist nun auch nicht so mein Ding, aber egal – ich habe Greer natürlich dennoch ganz, ganz fest in mein Herz geschlossen und konnte mich dank der feinfühligen und glaubhaften Darstellung ihrer Gefühls- und Gedankenwelt jederzeit völlig mühelos in sie hineinversetzen.
Eine Sache, die ich ebenfalls nicht mit Greer teile (zum Glück!), ist ihr großes Problem. Bzw. ihre zwei großen Probleme: Donna und Doria. Greer hat Körbchengröße J, sie besitzt also extrem viel Oberweite. Sie versteckt sich daher immer nur in weiter XL-Oberkleidung, um nur ja nicht die Aufmerksamkeit auf ihre großen Brüste zu lenken. Riesige Sweatshirt, weite T-Shirts, große Jacken – in diesen Klamotten fühlt sich Greer wohl. Na ja, zumindest ein bisschen. Greer besitzt sehr wenig Selbstwertgefühl und kann ihren Körper nicht leiden. Ihre Gedanken kreisen pausenlos um ihre Brüste. Da ich selbst weit davon entfernt bin, Körbchengröße J zu tragen, kann ich es mir nur im Ansatz vorstellen, wie belastend es sein, so viel Busen zu haben – sowohl physisch als auch psychisch. Rückenschmerzen und Verspannungen, weil die Brüste so viel wiegen. Das Gefühl, sich einfach nur noch verstecken zu wollen, weil man die Blicke und verletzenden Kommentare nicht mehr erträgt. Dieser Frust, weil man kaum was Passendes zum Anziehen findet. All dies bestimmt Greers Leben.
Da die Autorin Greers Schmerzen, ihre Sorgen, Verzweiflung und ihre Wut sehr anschaulich und gefühlvoll beschreibt, konnte auch so jemand wie ich, der vorne rum ziemlich flach ist, nur zu gut nachempfinden, wie sehr Greer leidet. Ich habe unendlich mit Greer mitgelitten. Mir tat sie so leid, dass Donna und Doria (so nennt sie ihre Brüste immer heimlich) so sehr ihren Alltag dominieren und sie dank ihnen so viele Probleme hat.
Zugleich habe ich aber auch ständig über Greer geschmunzelt. Wie oben bereits erwähnt: Greer besitzt so eine herrlich sarkastische Art. Die schmale Gratwanderung zwischen Ernst und Humor ist der Autorin zweifellos erstklassig geglückt!
Mit den Nebenfiguren konnte mich die Autorin ebenfalls vollends überzeugen. Vor allem Jackson fand ich zauberhaft. Ich glaube, Jackson ist mein neuer aktueller Lieblings-Book-Boyfriend. Er ist so charmant, süß und witzig. An ihn hat definitiv nicht nur unsere Buchheldin ihr Herz verloren - auch meins hat er im Sturm erobert, seufz. Sehr gefreut hat mich zudem, dass Jackson keiner von diesen klischeehaften Bad-Boys ist. Generell bekommen wir es mit keinen Klischee-Charakteren zu tun. Alle Figuren wurden sehr vielschichtig ausgearbeitet und wirken so schön real und echt.
Da hätten wir zum Beispiel noch Greers jüngeren Bruder Tyler. Über ihn habe ich mich beim köstlich amüsiert. Tyler ist einfach einmalig.
Wen ich ebenfalls ganz besonders liebgewonnen habe, sind Jacksons kleine Schwester Quinlan und Greers beste Freundinnen Maggie und Jessa. Quinlan fand ich super niedlich und Maggie und Jessa haben mich beide mit ihrer großen Klappe bestens unterhalten. Die zwei Mädels sind zwei ganz tolle beste Freundinnen, auf die sich Greer jederzeit verlassen kann. Und die beiden wiederum können auch stets auf Greer zählen.
Laura Zimmermann behandelt in „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ viele wichtige Themen wie Selbstakzeptanz, Feminismus, Mobbing, Freundschaft, die erste Liebe, Sport, Zusammenhalt, Hilfsbereitschaft und Vertrauen. In dem Buch steckt echt viel, es wirkt aber an keiner einzigen Stelle zu überladen. Es ist ironisch, klug und emotional geschrieben und reißt einen von den ersten Seiten an mit. Die Geschichte berührt einen zutiefst, sie regt sehr zum nachdenken an, sie schenkt Mut und Hoffnung und beschäftigt einen noch eine ganze Weile nach dem Lesen.
Ich kann wirklich nur sagen: Lest dieses Buch! Auch wenn ihr keine zu großen Brüste habt, solltet ihr es unbedingt lesen. „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ schenkt auch all denjenigen Kraft und Mut, die nicht Greers Probleme teilen, aber auch mit ihrem Körper hadern oder vielleicht sogar unter etwas ganz anderem leiden. Viele von uns tragen ein schweres Päckchen mit sich herum, sodass wir uns manchmal einfach nur noch verkriechen wollen. Greer geht uns mit einen fabelhaften Beispiel voran und zeigt uns, dass man mit ganz viel Stärke, Witz und Tapferkeit und seinen Freunden alles schaffen kann. Man muss nur an sich selbst glauben und darf sich niemals unterkriegen lassen.
Fazit: Ehrlich, berührend, authentisch – ein starkes Jugendbuchdebüt voller Feingefühl, Humor und Wärme! Laura Zimmermann hat mir mit „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ ein absolutes Lesehighlight beschert. Ich habe das Buch vom ersten Moment an geliebt und unvergessliche Lesestunden damit verbracht. Greers Geschichte verdeutlicht uns auf eine exzellente Weise, wie wichtig es ist, niemals an sich selbst zu zweifeln und sich so zu lieben und zu akzeptieren wie man ist. Das Buch behandelt viele wichtige Themen, es ist intelligent, einfühlsam und packend geschrieben, es ist urkomisch und herzzerreißend zugleich und klingt noch sehr lange in einem nach. Ein wirklich ganz tolles Buch, das ich jedem nur ans Herz legen kann. Von mir gibt es sehr gerne volle 5 von 5 Sternen!
Ich lag mit meiner Vermutung absolut richtig: Ja, der Arctis Verlag hat es mal wieder geschafft - „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ ist ein absolutes Highlight für mich! In meinen Augen ist Laura Zimmermann mit „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ ein ganz fantastisches Jugendbuchdebüt gelungen, bei welchem ich so sehr hoffe, dass es den Weg zu vielen, vielen Leser*innen finden wird. Dieses Buch verdient es einfach, von ganz vielen Menschen gelesen und geliebt zu werden. Ich werde mit meiner Rezension nun auf jeden Fall mein Bestes geben, euch Greers Geschichte so richtig schön schmackhaft zu machen, sodass ihr nach dem Lesen meiner Rezi den unbändigen Drang verspüren werdet, sofort in den nächsten Buchladen zu stürmen, um euch das Buch zuzulegen. :D
Ich wusste schon nach den ersten paar Seiten, dass ich mal wieder einen richtigen Glückstreffer gelandet habe. Der Schreibstil gefiel mir auf Anhieb wahnsinnig gut. Er ist humorvoll, locker und leicht und unheimlich mitreißend. Für mich hat er sich hervorragend lesen lassen und da mich die Handlung von Anfang bis Ende durchgehend fesseln konnte und die Kapitel zudem wunderbar kurz sind, bin ich nur so durch Seiten geflogen und habe das Buch für meinen Geschmack leider viel zu schnell wieder beendet.
Womit „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ ebenfalls sofort bei mir punkten konnte, ist unsere 15-jährige Hauptprotagonistin Greer, aus deren Sicht wir alles in der Ich-Perspektive erfahren. Greer fand ich einfach nur großartig! Sie ist ehrlich, lustig und sympathisch und besitzt eine Selbstironie, die man einfach lieben muss. Große Klasse fand ich, dass Greer eine Leseratte ist. Ich liebe das einfach total, wenn Protagonisten meine große Bücherliebe mit mir teilen. (Greer mag die Artemis Fowl-Reihe. Ich auch!). Mit Greers Leidenschaft für die Mathematik konnte ich mich nun eher weniger identifizieren und Volleyball ist nun auch nicht so mein Ding, aber egal – ich habe Greer natürlich dennoch ganz, ganz fest in mein Herz geschlossen und konnte mich dank der feinfühligen und glaubhaften Darstellung ihrer Gefühls- und Gedankenwelt jederzeit völlig mühelos in sie hineinversetzen.
Eine Sache, die ich ebenfalls nicht mit Greer teile (zum Glück!), ist ihr großes Problem. Bzw. ihre zwei großen Probleme: Donna und Doria. Greer hat Körbchengröße J, sie besitzt also extrem viel Oberweite. Sie versteckt sich daher immer nur in weiter XL-Oberkleidung, um nur ja nicht die Aufmerksamkeit auf ihre großen Brüste zu lenken. Riesige Sweatshirt, weite T-Shirts, große Jacken – in diesen Klamotten fühlt sich Greer wohl. Na ja, zumindest ein bisschen. Greer besitzt sehr wenig Selbstwertgefühl und kann ihren Körper nicht leiden. Ihre Gedanken kreisen pausenlos um ihre Brüste. Da ich selbst weit davon entfernt bin, Körbchengröße J zu tragen, kann ich es mir nur im Ansatz vorstellen, wie belastend es sein, so viel Busen zu haben – sowohl physisch als auch psychisch. Rückenschmerzen und Verspannungen, weil die Brüste so viel wiegen. Das Gefühl, sich einfach nur noch verstecken zu wollen, weil man die Blicke und verletzenden Kommentare nicht mehr erträgt. Dieser Frust, weil man kaum was Passendes zum Anziehen findet. All dies bestimmt Greers Leben.
Da die Autorin Greers Schmerzen, ihre Sorgen, Verzweiflung und ihre Wut sehr anschaulich und gefühlvoll beschreibt, konnte auch so jemand wie ich, der vorne rum ziemlich flach ist, nur zu gut nachempfinden, wie sehr Greer leidet. Ich habe unendlich mit Greer mitgelitten. Mir tat sie so leid, dass Donna und Doria (so nennt sie ihre Brüste immer heimlich) so sehr ihren Alltag dominieren und sie dank ihnen so viele Probleme hat.
Zugleich habe ich aber auch ständig über Greer geschmunzelt. Wie oben bereits erwähnt: Greer besitzt so eine herrlich sarkastische Art. Die schmale Gratwanderung zwischen Ernst und Humor ist der Autorin zweifellos erstklassig geglückt!
Mit den Nebenfiguren konnte mich die Autorin ebenfalls vollends überzeugen. Vor allem Jackson fand ich zauberhaft. Ich glaube, Jackson ist mein neuer aktueller Lieblings-Book-Boyfriend. Er ist so charmant, süß und witzig. An ihn hat definitiv nicht nur unsere Buchheldin ihr Herz verloren - auch meins hat er im Sturm erobert, seufz. Sehr gefreut hat mich zudem, dass Jackson keiner von diesen klischeehaften Bad-Boys ist. Generell bekommen wir es mit keinen Klischee-Charakteren zu tun. Alle Figuren wurden sehr vielschichtig ausgearbeitet und wirken so schön real und echt.
Da hätten wir zum Beispiel noch Greers jüngeren Bruder Tyler. Über ihn habe ich mich beim köstlich amüsiert. Tyler ist einfach einmalig.
Wen ich ebenfalls ganz besonders liebgewonnen habe, sind Jacksons kleine Schwester Quinlan und Greers beste Freundinnen Maggie und Jessa. Quinlan fand ich super niedlich und Maggie und Jessa haben mich beide mit ihrer großen Klappe bestens unterhalten. Die zwei Mädels sind zwei ganz tolle beste Freundinnen, auf die sich Greer jederzeit verlassen kann. Und die beiden wiederum können auch stets auf Greer zählen.
Laura Zimmermann behandelt in „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ viele wichtige Themen wie Selbstakzeptanz, Feminismus, Mobbing, Freundschaft, die erste Liebe, Sport, Zusammenhalt, Hilfsbereitschaft und Vertrauen. In dem Buch steckt echt viel, es wirkt aber an keiner einzigen Stelle zu überladen. Es ist ironisch, klug und emotional geschrieben und reißt einen von den ersten Seiten an mit. Die Geschichte berührt einen zutiefst, sie regt sehr zum nachdenken an, sie schenkt Mut und Hoffnung und beschäftigt einen noch eine ganze Weile nach dem Lesen.
Ich kann wirklich nur sagen: Lest dieses Buch! Auch wenn ihr keine zu großen Brüste habt, solltet ihr es unbedingt lesen. „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ schenkt auch all denjenigen Kraft und Mut, die nicht Greers Probleme teilen, aber auch mit ihrem Körper hadern oder vielleicht sogar unter etwas ganz anderem leiden. Viele von uns tragen ein schweres Päckchen mit sich herum, sodass wir uns manchmal einfach nur noch verkriechen wollen. Greer geht uns mit einen fabelhaften Beispiel voran und zeigt uns, dass man mit ganz viel Stärke, Witz und Tapferkeit und seinen Freunden alles schaffen kann. Man muss nur an sich selbst glauben und darf sich niemals unterkriegen lassen.
Fazit: Ehrlich, berührend, authentisch – ein starkes Jugendbuchdebüt voller Feingefühl, Humor und Wärme! Laura Zimmermann hat mir mit „Meine Augen sind hier oben“ ein absolutes Lesehighlight beschert. Ich habe das Buch vom ersten Moment an geliebt und unvergessliche Lesestunden damit verbracht. Greers Geschichte verdeutlicht uns auf eine exzellente Weise, wie wichtig es ist, niemals an sich selbst zu zweifeln und sich so zu lieben und zu akzeptieren wie man ist. Das Buch behandelt viele wichtige Themen, es ist intelligent, einfühlsam und packend geschrieben, es ist urkomisch und herzzerreißend zugleich und klingt noch sehr lange in einem nach. Ein wirklich ganz tolles Buch, das ich jedem nur ans Herz legen kann. Von mir gibt es sehr gerne volle 5 von 5 Sternen!
August 19, 2020
Thank you Penguin Teen for sending this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows a fifteen-year-old girl named Greer Walsh and her coming of age story.
It discusses body representation especially due to the fact that her bra size is a 30H. She talks about her insecurities and how other people react to how she looks. Also how she views herself and struggles to feel comfortable.
I was expecting this book to really discuss body positivity, body rep, and feminism.
I, unfortunately, had several issues with this book and felt disconnected from the book consistently.
The writing style was just okay, though it had some humour that was a miss for me personally.
Something that irked me was that Greer's boobs are personified throughout the course of this book. Maude and Mavis were the names and she constantly referred to them as such.
Greer was a character who I did not care for many times throughout this book. She gave off the "I'm not like other girls" vibe and her character lacked depth. The love interest in this book was also just a flop. I disliked how the book ended and thought it was a cop-out, especially in terms of romance.
I did enjoy reading about how Greer did have a few positive people in her life that helped her. Though most people were horrible to her, I was glad to see that a member of the school had her back.
Overall, I think this book had a great concept and idea but unfortunately, I thought the execution lacked. This book took me a while to get through because I was not very invested and did not care for many aspects of the story.
This story follows a fifteen-year-old girl named Greer Walsh and her coming of age story.
It discusses body representation especially due to the fact that her bra size is a 30H. She talks about her insecurities and how other people react to how she looks. Also how she views herself and struggles to feel comfortable.
I was expecting this book to really discuss body positivity, body rep, and feminism.
I, unfortunately, had several issues with this book and felt disconnected from the book consistently.
The writing style was just okay, though it had some humour that was a miss for me personally.
Something that irked me was that Greer's boobs are personified throughout the course of this book. Maude and Mavis were the names and she constantly referred to them as such.
Greer was a character who I did not care for many times throughout this book. She gave off the "I'm not like other girls" vibe and her character lacked depth. The love interest in this book was also just a flop. I disliked how the book ended and thought it was a cop-out, especially in terms of romance.
I did enjoy reading about how Greer did have a few positive people in her life that helped her. Though most people were horrible to her, I was glad to see that a member of the school had her back.
Overall, I think this book had a great concept and idea but unfortunately, I thought the execution lacked. This book took me a while to get through because I was not very invested and did not care for many aspects of the story.
March 26, 2021
-Lecture professionnelle-
Greer est en 5e secondaire et doit vivre avec un complexe IMMENSE, c'est-à-dire la grosseur démesurée de sa poitrine. Bien qu'on aborde avec humour sa situation, on comprend que le corps de la narratrice lui pèse énormément. Sa confiance en elle est ébranlée surtout lorsqu'il vient le temps de participer à une activité sportive et lorsqu'elle rencontre de nouvelles personnes... dont le nouveau du coin, Jackson.
J'aime la force de caractère de Greer et sa pointe d'humour/sarcasme. Je suis certaine que plusieurs adolescentes s'identifieront à Greer (chose qui a été plus complexe pour moi étant donné que ma "condition" n'est pas du tout la même qu'elle. On parle de confiance, d'amitié et d'amour.
C'est un roman que je suggère aux adolescentes pour le plaisir de lire. Ma note s'explique par le récit en général (j'ai trouvé certaines actions redondantes et qu'il manquait de dynamisme à l'occasion) et la traduction très française m'a irritée par moment. Mais ça, c'est très subjectif.
Greer est en 5e secondaire et doit vivre avec un complexe IMMENSE, c'est-à-dire la grosseur démesurée de sa poitrine. Bien qu'on aborde avec humour sa situation, on comprend que le corps de la narratrice lui pèse énormément. Sa confiance en elle est ébranlée surtout lorsqu'il vient le temps de participer à une activité sportive et lorsqu'elle rencontre de nouvelles personnes... dont le nouveau du coin, Jackson.
J'aime la force de caractère de Greer et sa pointe d'humour/sarcasme. Je suis certaine que plusieurs adolescentes s'identifieront à Greer (chose qui a été plus complexe pour moi étant donné que ma "condition" n'est pas du tout la même qu'elle. On parle de confiance, d'amitié et d'amour.
C'est un roman que je suggère aux adolescentes pour le plaisir de lire. Ma note s'explique par le récit en général (j'ai trouvé certaines actions redondantes et qu'il manquait de dynamisme à l'occasion) et la traduction très française m'a irritée par moment. Mais ça, c'est très subjectif.
May 31, 2020
Greer has a couple of giant problems she tries to hide. Greer’s breasts are size 30H and it makes her feel like no one can see anything else. She tries to hide under old XXL shirts she takes from her dad but when you are an H cup there really is no hiding. This is a beautifully honest tale of adolescence and how awkward and alien a girl’s body can feel. Greer’s mother is a relocation support person so Greer helps her meet a new family with a boy her age that she knows could never like her. Greer also decides to go out for the volleyball team after finding a magical bra called the stabilizer that makes her feel like her body is hers after all. This was a brutally honest story and I loved every page! All of the embarrassed horror of high school came flooded back as Greer figures out we all have something we try to keep hidden.
June 11, 2020
This was a great contemporary book! It focused on women’s body image, while having a super cute romance. This book is great for people to understand the struggles that other women have with their body image, so you can learn to respect what they are going through. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about a cute “new boy in town” romance or to learn about body positivity!
September 14, 2020
I love this book. It made me laugh the whole entire time and it's just a fabulous book for girls of all sizes
November 22, 2022
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Greer's mother has a relocation help business, so she is always being dragged off to meet the children of clients. Kids her age generally don't want to talk to her, but when she meets Jackson Oates and his mom at the habitual coffee shop, he's different. Friendly, smart, helpful, funny-- Greer instantly likes him. The problem? Greer is so uncomfortable about her large breasts that she retreats from a lot of social connections, and figures that Jackson will immediately make new friends and ignore her. He does make friends, including her best friend Maggie's brother and a lot of other baseball players, but he still continues to talk to her. Usually more concerned with advanced academics than other activities (which can often involve people looking at her), Greer becomes interested in volleyball and tries out for the team. It's difficult to play with a sports bra squeezed over her regular, but the coach sends her a link to a garment called "the Stabilizer" that works wonders. Greer makes the teams, but another hurdle is getting a uniform to fit her 30H figure. Greer and Jackson' families spend some tiem together, and his problematic younger sister takes to Greer. At the same time, Maggie is involved with the school production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and is being her usual outspoken self when questioning the wisdom of doing such an outdated play. Greer is hopeful about volleyball and Jackson until events complicate matters and she almost disengages, retreating into her XXL sweatshirts instead of confronting her problems. Will she ever be able to make peace with herself?
Strengths: I loved this one SO much. Greer was smart and funny, and I think that so many of us can commiserate with wanting to hide behind clothes. Jackson was absolutely crush worthy, and treated Greer really well even when her actions were confusing. In fact, all of the characters were well drawn; the pushy, uncommunicative mother; the squirrely younger brother; Maggie; the phenomenal home ec teacher-- whew. Smart, smart writing, and such a vivid description of what Greer felt like living in her body. After I finished this, I couldn't pick up any other books because I knew I wouldn't like anything I read half as well. Greer, with all of her humor, insecurity, and misguided attempts to get through high school, reminded me a lot of myself, and of my daughter who probably wore an oversized hoodie to high school 90% of the time.
Weaknesses: Some reviewers have mentioned that this isn't quite in line with "body positivity" and that there would be more resources for Greer for bras, because her size was not unusual. I didn't immediately think about the "body positivity" aspect; as someone who is absolutely average sized and still wants to live in obscuring clothes, I just saw this as how one girl who was a little different than her classmates took that difference to heart in wanting to hide from the world. More "effenheimers" that I like for middle grade readers, and once scene between Jackson and Greer that was delicately done, circumspect, and probably not instructional to younger readers but which about melted my socks off. Also, I think I learned some things about personal hygiene I didn't know.
What I really think: Do we need books about this for middle school readers? Yes. Is this the book they need? I am really debating because I loved Greer and Jackson so much.
Greer's mother has a relocation help business, so she is always being dragged off to meet the children of clients. Kids her age generally don't want to talk to her, but when she meets Jackson Oates and his mom at the habitual coffee shop, he's different. Friendly, smart, helpful, funny-- Greer instantly likes him. The problem? Greer is so uncomfortable about her large breasts that she retreats from a lot of social connections, and figures that Jackson will immediately make new friends and ignore her. He does make friends, including her best friend Maggie's brother and a lot of other baseball players, but he still continues to talk to her. Usually more concerned with advanced academics than other activities (which can often involve people looking at her), Greer becomes interested in volleyball and tries out for the team. It's difficult to play with a sports bra squeezed over her regular, but the coach sends her a link to a garment called "the Stabilizer" that works wonders. Greer makes the teams, but another hurdle is getting a uniform to fit her 30H figure. Greer and Jackson' families spend some tiem together, and his problematic younger sister takes to Greer. At the same time, Maggie is involved with the school production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and is being her usual outspoken self when questioning the wisdom of doing such an outdated play. Greer is hopeful about volleyball and Jackson until events complicate matters and she almost disengages, retreating into her XXL sweatshirts instead of confronting her problems. Will she ever be able to make peace with herself?
Strengths: I loved this one SO much. Greer was smart and funny, and I think that so many of us can commiserate with wanting to hide behind clothes. Jackson was absolutely crush worthy, and treated Greer really well even when her actions were confusing. In fact, all of the characters were well drawn; the pushy, uncommunicative mother; the squirrely younger brother; Maggie; the phenomenal home ec teacher-- whew. Smart, smart writing, and such a vivid description of what Greer felt like living in her body. After I finished this, I couldn't pick up any other books because I knew I wouldn't like anything I read half as well. Greer, with all of her humor, insecurity, and misguided attempts to get through high school, reminded me a lot of myself, and of my daughter who probably wore an oversized hoodie to high school 90% of the time.
Weaknesses: Some reviewers have mentioned that this isn't quite in line with "body positivity" and that there would be more resources for Greer for bras, because her size was not unusual. I didn't immediately think about the "body positivity" aspect; as someone who is absolutely average sized and still wants to live in obscuring clothes, I just saw this as how one girl who was a little different than her classmates took that difference to heart in wanting to hide from the world. More "effenheimers" that I like for middle grade readers, and once scene between Jackson and Greer that was delicately done, circumspect, and probably not instructional to younger readers but which about melted my socks off. Also, I think I learned some things about personal hygiene I didn't know.
What I really think: Do we need books about this for middle school readers? Yes. Is this the book they need? I am really debating because I loved Greer and Jackson so much.
January 23, 2022
I respect Greer’s body-positivity and charming, fun, and dare I say ‘quirky’ narrative, but the breast commentary ... look I have a chest too so I can relate to some extent, but she was just dramatic. But she’s 15 and a lot of the big-boob incidents so I’ll forgive her. Many of those just hit too close to home. Like, Greer, I feel you on spillage and needing to order bras online instead of going to the store. So you know what? I loved the breast commentary.
Coach is the absolute best. I loved the supportive sisterhood she got from her volleyball team. Tyler was a precious little brother and even Jackson was a great love interest.
All in all, fun book.
Coach is the absolute best. I loved the supportive sisterhood she got from her volleyball team. Tyler was a precious little brother and even Jackson was a great love interest.
All in all, fun book.
July 30, 2020
this book disappointed me.
cons:
- everything was about greer's boobs. ok yes this is the premise of the novel but after pages and pages of seeing greer's character being reduced to "a girl with boobs who is good at math sometimes" you'll realize that it gets old.
- [spoiler] greer never really comes to terms with her body; she just kinda goes "ok i'll live with this" and while ik that it would've been unrealistic for her to suddenly love everything about herself i just wish she would've learned that her body type wasn't the only thing about her that mattered
- the love interest. oh, jackson. jackson feels like an amalgamation of every teenage boy in america but with a whole lot of testosterone because oh man this boy has some hormones. imo, the entire relationship b/w jackson & greer had little chemistry beyond them fantasizing about each other's bodies (greer daydreaming about jackson's abs and [spoiler] jackson admitting to having sexual fantasies about greer's breasts)
- the gosh darn ending. [spoiler] i really had hoped that this book would end with a more body-positive message rather than one saying that bigger bodies are just something to sexualize. jackson's big declaration of love was really just him admitting to having the hots for her bod and not much else. their relationship literally never progressed past a physical point and i really don't see how their personalities even make sense together.
- i wish we had more moments of greer and the volleyball team other than "omg my boobs are bothering me" bc the whole team dynamic had the potential to be super sweet!
- the whole thing with quin (not sure on the spelling bc i used the audiobook) also had the potential to be an interesting subplot but the book kinda just ran through it so we didn't really get to see more of greer's personality.
- all in all it felt like this story was more about greer's breasts than her and that was just odd.
pros:
- jessa is an absolute cinnamon roll stan jessa for clear skin
- the concept of marching band subgroups going to home sports games and competitions is so cute. as a marching band member i wish my school would make this happen.
- the audio narration was decent
cons:
- everything was about greer's boobs. ok yes this is the premise of the novel but after pages and pages of seeing greer's character being reduced to "a girl with boobs who is good at math sometimes" you'll realize that it gets old.
- [spoiler] greer never really comes to terms with her body; she just kinda goes "ok i'll live with this" and while ik that it would've been unrealistic for her to suddenly love everything about herself i just wish she would've learned that her body type wasn't the only thing about her that mattered
- the love interest. oh, jackson. jackson feels like an amalgamation of every teenage boy in america but with a whole lot of testosterone because oh man this boy has some hormones. imo, the entire relationship b/w jackson & greer had little chemistry beyond them fantasizing about each other's bodies (greer daydreaming about jackson's abs and [spoiler] jackson admitting to having sexual fantasies about greer's breasts)
- the gosh darn ending. [spoiler] i really had hoped that this book would end with a more body-positive message rather than one saying that bigger bodies are just something to sexualize. jackson's big declaration of love was really just him admitting to having the hots for her bod and not much else. their relationship literally never progressed past a physical point and i really don't see how their personalities even make sense together.
- i wish we had more moments of greer and the volleyball team other than "omg my boobs are bothering me" bc the whole team dynamic had the potential to be super sweet!
- the whole thing with quin (not sure on the spelling bc i used the audiobook) also had the potential to be an interesting subplot but the book kinda just ran through it so we didn't really get to see more of greer's personality.
- all in all it felt like this story was more about greer's breasts than her and that was just odd.
pros:
- jessa is an absolute cinnamon roll stan jessa for clear skin
- the concept of marching band subgroups going to home sports games and competitions is so cute. as a marching band member i wish my school would make this happen.
- the audio narration was decent
November 28, 2020
So I won this from a Bookish First giveaway right when all the pandemic hit here in the US. And so I didn’t get an ARC or a copy of the book until right before the publishing date. And by then, my schedule was already off, and I have trouble fitting in extra books. But I made sure finally to find a time to fit it into my blogging schedule, and now here is my review.
Once I did pick it up, I was swept right into the story. The author used great humor to help with this touchy subject. But not just humor, there was also a lot of realistic details and ways that things happened. Of course I totally understood why Greer pushed Jackson away, or at least made sure he knew that she knew that it was only friendliness and nothing more from him. Because I’ve felt that way my whole life. The few times I thought maybe a guy was actually flirting and interested in me, he wouldn’t be, and then I’d get rejected or feel humiliated. So I get it.
What Greer went through physically I kind of get as well. While I wasn’t suffering from the endowments that she had when I was younger, I totally get what she is saying about the bras not being cute when you are a larger size like I am now, not to mention that if you do find ones that are cute, they don’t really fit right, and definitely don’t have any support. But to be a high schooler having to deal with those things would be really sad, when you want to do the same things as everyone else. I can’t even picture what that special bra she got looked like, other than a straight jacket that I pictured in my head.
There were a few very hilarious its. First there was a section where they were in math class and the teacher asked about “number two”. Yeah, my brain is pretty much still stuck in middle school humor from teacher there for about 15 years. So I was laughing along with the boys in her class so much. And then there was the line, “Are you comparing my boobs to a Nazi mole?” I couldn’t stop giggling at that for a long time after I read it.
A great book, I’ll be donating my copy to the library where I work!
Review first posted at Lisa Loves Literature.
Once I did pick it up, I was swept right into the story. The author used great humor to help with this touchy subject. But not just humor, there was also a lot of realistic details and ways that things happened. Of course I totally understood why Greer pushed Jackson away, or at least made sure he knew that she knew that it was only friendliness and nothing more from him. Because I’ve felt that way my whole life. The few times I thought maybe a guy was actually flirting and interested in me, he wouldn’t be, and then I’d get rejected or feel humiliated. So I get it.
What Greer went through physically I kind of get as well. While I wasn’t suffering from the endowments that she had when I was younger, I totally get what she is saying about the bras not being cute when you are a larger size like I am now, not to mention that if you do find ones that are cute, they don’t really fit right, and definitely don’t have any support. But to be a high schooler having to deal with those things would be really sad, when you want to do the same things as everyone else. I can’t even picture what that special bra she got looked like, other than a straight jacket that I pictured in my head.
There were a few very hilarious its. First there was a section where they were in math class and the teacher asked about “number two”. Yeah, my brain is pretty much still stuck in middle school humor from teacher there for about 15 years. So I was laughing along with the boys in her class so much. And then there was the line, “Are you comparing my boobs to a Nazi mole?” I couldn’t stop giggling at that for a long time after I read it.
A great book, I’ll be donating my copy to the library where I work!
Review first posted at Lisa Loves Literature.
July 6, 2020
My reading partner betrayed me but I am happy for her she didn't get to read this bullshit!
I mean what was the point !
And damn girl take a chill pill they are your boobs not some mountain on grassland ( her line not mine)
I mean what was the point !
And damn girl take a chill pill they are your boobs not some mountain on grassland ( her line not mine)
July 25, 2020
Greer Walsh is a confident, amazing math student. She tries to listen to her, sometimes, out of touch parents and manages around her, often times, gross younger brother. A lot of Greer's life is relatable to any teen girl, however, she also has a size 30H bra.
This book follows Greer as she attempts to maintain status quo, which consists of hiding under her XXL hoodie and never, ever talking about her breasts. Life has a way of drawing Greer out of her comfort zone in the shape of a new boy in school and a newly discovered talent for volleyball. As Greer slowly comes out of her shell, she realizes her situation is maybe not the end of the world and it definitely does not have to dictate her life.
I did love the overall message of accepting one's body and learning not to avoid/hide. Greer does learn to accept herself and even teaches others acceptance. What I did not like so much is the relationship Greer had with her parents. Admittedly, it can be difficult to talk to one's parents especially when they don't seem interested and that appeared to be the case at times but Greer never seemed to make peace with her mother. The mother believes throughout most of this book that Greer is larger than she is due to all the hiding under XXL clothing and Greer never corrects her. I don't want to be spoilery but I would've liked the mother to at least attempt to talk to the daughter about feelings and emotions or even just the practicalities of obtaining a sports bra.
Overall, I did like this book and I did connect with it as I think many readers will but I just wished it had gone a bit further. It is not as difficult as Greer seems to think to find a size 30H bra and I was ultimately waiting for the mother/daughter relationship to guide Greer in that direction but I feel it never happened. I hope readers do feel the normalization of the experience depicted in this book but I also hope they realize there is much more out there as far as resources to help. There's no reason not to talk about what you need with a trusted adult. Okay off the soap box now.
Ultimately, I did enjoy this audiobook, I did laugh out loud at times, and I do think it deserves four stars. :)
This book follows Greer as she attempts to maintain status quo, which consists of hiding under her XXL hoodie and never, ever talking about her breasts. Life has a way of drawing Greer out of her comfort zone in the shape of a new boy in school and a newly discovered talent for volleyball. As Greer slowly comes out of her shell, she realizes her situation is maybe not the end of the world and it definitely does not have to dictate her life.
I did love the overall message of accepting one's body and learning not to avoid/hide. Greer does learn to accept herself and even teaches others acceptance. What I did not like so much is the relationship Greer had with her parents. Admittedly, it can be difficult to talk to one's parents especially when they don't seem interested and that appeared to be the case at times but Greer never seemed to make peace with her mother. The mother believes throughout most of this book that Greer is larger than she is due to all the hiding under XXL clothing and Greer never corrects her. I don't want to be spoilery but I would've liked the mother to at least attempt to talk to the daughter about feelings and emotions or even just the practicalities of obtaining a sports bra.
Overall, I did like this book and I did connect with it as I think many readers will but I just wished it had gone a bit further. It is not as difficult as Greer seems to think to find a size 30H bra and I was ultimately waiting for the mother/daughter relationship to guide Greer in that direction but I feel it never happened. I hope readers do feel the normalization of the experience depicted in this book but I also hope they realize there is much more out there as far as resources to help. There's no reason not to talk about what you need with a trusted adult. Okay off the soap box now.
Ultimately, I did enjoy this audiobook, I did laugh out loud at times, and I do think it deserves four stars. :)
April 16, 2022
Headlines:
Made me sad
Body negativity
This book is about boobs, growing up with them, living with them, accepting them (or not). I am of the big-boobed population, so in some ways I could relate to the protagonist in this story but equally, I really did not relate to her. I did feel really sorry for her, not for her big boobs but for her self-perception and poor body image. The book made me incredibly sad, to be honest.
What I did like about the story was Greer finding a sport she loved and how she navigated the boob problem through playing, made her address her day to day boob-dom. Honestly, sometimes this story was just painful to watch play out and read.
The side story of Jackson and Greer was the nicest thing about the plot if only Greer could look away from her 'girls' a moment or two. I did love Jackson's final declaration at the end, that was worth the wait.
Maybe this book will help young people with big boobs feel seen while trying not to be seen (if you get my drift) but I would have loved to have seen a more positive stance on this issue.
Made me sad
Body negativity
This book is about boobs, growing up with them, living with them, accepting them (or not). I am of the big-boobed population, so in some ways I could relate to the protagonist in this story but equally, I really did not relate to her. I did feel really sorry for her, not for her big boobs but for her self-perception and poor body image. The book made me incredibly sad, to be honest.
What I did like about the story was Greer finding a sport she loved and how she navigated the boob problem through playing, made her address her day to day boob-dom. Honestly, sometimes this story was just painful to watch play out and read.
The side story of Jackson and Greer was the nicest thing about the plot if only Greer could look away from her 'girls' a moment or two. I did love Jackson's final declaration at the end, that was worth the wait.
Maybe this book will help young people with big boobs feel seen while trying not to be seen (if you get my drift) but I would have loved to have seen a more positive stance on this issue.
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