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Being Sixteen
Juliet Kendall has been looking forward to her sixteenth birthday for what feels like forever. At first, it seems like being sixteen is everything she hoped it would be she has great friends, a cute almost-boyfriend, a spot on the varsity girls basketball team, and even a car of her own. But, as the year goes on, she discovers that her sister Carly is hiding a secret (bulimia) and realizes that, in fact, being sixteen may be her hardest year yet. Being Sixteen is a coming-of-age story about two sisters and their different struggles. It addresses what it means to have a testimony, what it means to be a friend, and what s involved in dealing with and overcoming an eating disorder.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 3, 2010
13 people are currently reading
3127 people want to read
About the author
Ally Condie
30 books14.9k followersAlly Condie is a former high school English teacher who lives with her husband, three sons and one daughter outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, running, eating, and listening to her husband play guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
November 2, 2010
The first time I saw this book on the shelf at Deseret Book I have to admit I put it back. I just wasn't sure I was ready to read another book dealing with eating disorders. Then after reading Matched I decided I wanted to delve into more of Ally's past titles. Being Sixteen resonated with me on so many levels. It hit deep within my core and it's one of my top three favorite books of the year. I found myself in tears several times while reading as the message breathes truth and hope. Allyson Condie takes on eating disorders with grace and style. Her voice is poetic, and real. Here's one of my favorite passages from Juliet, who struggles with isolation and disappointment in the wake of her sister's disorder.
"On one level I was ashamed of how weak I was, of how I'd do anything to avoid feeling hurt. But on another level I felt almost strong, a little proud of the way I'd cut off the parts of my life that made me feel too much sadness." p. 124
This is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend to every Young Woman I know as well as her parents. Many crucial facets of diagnosis, treatment and the long road to recovery from anorexia and bulimia are addressed. Two sister's struggles and growing pains are woven beautifully into the pages showing that even those from strong functional families have life altering problems.
Being Sixteen explores the effects of an eating disorder on loved ones and family as well and how easily faith in Heavenly Father can dim, to later be rekindled. Thank you so much to Deseret Book for sending me this book for review. It is one that I will forever remember. Five stars plus.
"On one level I was ashamed of how weak I was, of how I'd do anything to avoid feeling hurt. But on another level I felt almost strong, a little proud of the way I'd cut off the parts of my life that made me feel too much sadness." p. 124
This is a book I would wholeheartedly recommend to every Young Woman I know as well as her parents. Many crucial facets of diagnosis, treatment and the long road to recovery from anorexia and bulimia are addressed. Two sister's struggles and growing pains are woven beautifully into the pages showing that even those from strong functional families have life altering problems.
Being Sixteen explores the effects of an eating disorder on loved ones and family as well and how easily faith in Heavenly Father can dim, to later be rekindled. Thank you so much to Deseret Book for sending me this book for review. It is one that I will forever remember. Five stars plus.
May 7, 2014
Juliet has just turned sixteen, a pivotal age in Mormon culture. She is excited for her junior year, with an almost-boyfriend, a drivers license, a sure spot on the high school basketball team, great friends, and a supportive family. But as school begins, it seems like none of these things is working out for Juliet. Her best friend hooks up with her almost-boyfriend, the basketball coach resigns, and worst of all, Juliet discovers her little sister Carly has a severe eating disorder. Juliet can't help but feel like life is unfair, and she feels like she is losing her testimony. Together with her family, Juliet learns that there is always hope and things really do always work out.
My sister told me to read this book years ago, most likely because it resonated with her as a young teenager, but I just never did. Now, reading it as an almost-adult, I can see why she was so adamant. This book has a way of impacting your heart in ways that differ from the typical YA novel, or even any novel about an eating disorder. This books breathes hope, and speaks of trial always with an attitude that "things are gonna work out eventually." It is so relatable in that this could be any good, strong Mormon family - something I particularly liked, as we so often put up a "perfection front," when really, every seemingly perfect family goes through excruciating struggles. I found myself lost in the emotion of the story, and cried through half of it, something I rarely do in books. I needed this book in my life.
My sister told me to read this book years ago, most likely because it resonated with her as a young teenager, but I just never did. Now, reading it as an almost-adult, I can see why she was so adamant. This book has a way of impacting your heart in ways that differ from the typical YA novel, or even any novel about an eating disorder. This books breathes hope, and speaks of trial always with an attitude that "things are gonna work out eventually." It is so relatable in that this could be any good, strong Mormon family - something I particularly liked, as we so often put up a "perfection front," when really, every seemingly perfect family goes through excruciating struggles. I found myself lost in the emotion of the story, and cried through half of it, something I rarely do in books. I needed this book in my life.
December 9, 2010
This novel is about a sixteen-year old girl, Juliet, who thinks her entire life will be perfect after her sixteenth birthday, but complications arrive when first, her almost boyfriend decides to date her friend instead, and second, when her younger sister Carly is discovered to be suffering from bulimia. The entire family is affected by Carly's eating disorder, and it is only through her family's love, her trust in the Atonement, and the helpfulness of an eating disorder clinic that Carly is able to recover and live a relatively normal life. I appreciated this novel because it shows how an eating disorder can affect the family members of the victim, how an eating disorder is even somewhat selfish. I don't know that this book would be too helpful to individuals suffering from an eating disorder, though, because they would not want to consider themselves as being in a similar supportive situation as Carly is in. It's an interesting enough read, though, and I would recommend it to any LDS teenage girl who may be affected by an eating disorder or who likes to read about the dramas of teenage life. It is not an exciting read by any means, but I appreciated it for its lack of darkness and emphasis on hope.
October 6, 2015
Nicely low-key. I expect the reason it took me ages to find this one is that it's LDS fiction—the author's Matched series did quite well, but libraries (or at least—the ones I frequent) don't go in for tons of religious fiction. And, well, neither do I, generally, but again, that it's pretty low-key makes the religion end work better for me than it might. Actually, setting aside the LDS element, the book reminds me a fair bit of Sarah Dessen's books: strong family element; a boy who swoops in to help the heroine grow; lots of smaller-scale realistic problems piled on each other.
I have another LDS book on my shelves...should try to get around to that in the near future for better comparison.
I have another LDS book on my shelves...should try to get around to that in the near future for better comparison.
March 12, 2010
I really liked this book because it showed bulimia in a real light, but also showed how eating disorders affect families. I also like that the book shows how the main character slowly drifts away from her testimony. I think it is a good thing for teens to read about how someone can distance themselves from the church without really doing anything outrageously unrighteous; they can see that everything we say, do, think, and are affect our testimony. It also helped me remember that our testimonies must be constantly fed or we will find ourselves struggling to remember what is most important.
September 20, 2010
I haven't read LDS Teen Fiction in an LONG time. I don't remember why I put this on my list to read (someone must have recommended it but I don't know who)...but I really enjoyed it. It's not the normal LDS sappy fiction, it was real. There were a few passages (where she was quoting General Authorities) where I teared up a little. There was some really good stuff in this. While there were a few things that annoyed me a little (how she kept saying "Kendall girls do this" or "Kendall girls don't do that"), overall it was a pretty good book.
August 28, 2010
LOVED IT!!!! Thye main character is Mormon!
May 4, 2011
Nice LDS take on teen girls with eating disorders. This was Ally's last book before her big contract for MATCHED.
February 3, 2016
Delightful. But then I happen to be a big Condie fan.
July 4, 2019
(The spoilers in this review have a "debrief" for each section that is a spoiler. The debrief does go into the points I make but with fewer/no details that spoil. If you want to read the spoilers before reading this book, I would advise otherwise. The same points are made available without spoilers. Thanks!)
This book was difficult to read but I loved reading it. Eating disorders are encountered which can be really scary for anybody and was indeed so for Juliet (the main character). Carly (Juliet's sister) has a stubborn attitude and is a difficult character. But it is realistic, that is what mainly makes it hard to handle.
This book made me laugh and also made me frustrated in many ways, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. This book covered a real problem that people face. Each circumstance is different but this book can help raise awareness concerning eating disorders. I would recommend this book to anyone. It may be a hard topic to read about, but keeping eating disorders the dark won't solve the problem. I also feel like the reactions of the people were pretty realistic in the case Juliet's family had (I almost put myself in Juliet's shoes, and felt frustrated at Carly's outbursts). Juliet's sister didn't see what she was doing as wrong and she got really ornery which happens when one goes through that daily struggle.
Juliet also handles a trial of her faith in the gospel. Carly's trial tests Juliet's beliefs. Juliet really struggles to regain her testimony that she feels she lost. I think that this can be a good example that no one is perfect in their beliefs, Juliet starts off with a strong belief and understanding but slowly starts to doubt that belief. This book gives a perspective of someone who struggles with their belief in their religion. Even if the situation is not the same, young people who are struggling with what they believe, are given someone they can somewhat relate with. Even if your religious group is different than the one that Juliet is affiliated with, you can still learn something.
"[Being sixteen] addresses what it means to have a testimony, what it means to be a friend and a sister, and what's involved in dealing with and overcoming an eating disorder" (Condie, back cover).
This book was difficult to read but I loved reading it. Eating disorders are encountered which can be really scary for anybody and was indeed so for Juliet (the main character). Carly (Juliet's sister) has a stubborn attitude and is a difficult character. But it is realistic, that is what mainly makes it hard to handle.
This book made me laugh and also made me frustrated in many ways, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. This book covered a real problem that people face. Each circumstance is different but this book can help raise awareness concerning eating disorders. I would recommend this book to anyone. It may be a hard topic to read about, but keeping eating disorders the dark won't solve the problem. I also feel like the reactions of the people were pretty realistic in the case Juliet's family had (I almost put myself in Juliet's shoes, and felt frustrated at Carly's outbursts). Juliet's sister didn't see what she was doing as wrong and she got really ornery which happens when one goes through that daily struggle.
Juliet also handles a trial of her faith in the gospel. Carly's trial tests Juliet's beliefs. Juliet really struggles to regain her testimony that she feels she lost. I think that this can be a good example that no one is perfect in their beliefs, Juliet starts off with a strong belief and understanding but slowly starts to doubt that belief. This book gives a perspective of someone who struggles with their belief in their religion. Even if the situation is not the same, young people who are struggling with what they believe, are given someone they can somewhat relate with. Even if your religious group is different than the one that Juliet is affiliated with, you can still learn something.
"[Being sixteen] addresses what it means to have a testimony, what it means to be a friend and a sister, and what's involved in dealing with and overcoming an eating disorder" (Condie, back cover).
December 15, 2017
This is one of my most favorite books ever! It's about a girl who thinks her life is perfect! Everything seems to be going well, until slowly everything starts to fall apart. Her "boyfriend" goes for her best friend, her best friend betrays her, she gets kicked off the basketball team, she finds out her older sister isn't coming home for Christmas, and she finds out her younger sister as bulimia. It is a very hard time for her and she just wants to give up. But she meets some very special people in her life to help her and lift her up. This book is a very inspirational book and it just makes you feel so good after reading it. There are some ups and downs. It makes you feel sad and happy. Some books can give you a different look on life, and this book sure did. Being sixteen really gives a feel of someone else's struggles. It has you weeping for for their struggles and rooting for your favorites. I promise that if you read this book, you will love it. This book is a true definition of perfection. This book is amazing.
July 14, 2019
Being Sixteen follows Juliet Kendall during the year after her sixteenth birthday. She has been looking forward to turning sixteen for so long. The year ahead looks very promising to Kendall, but as it unfolds, her testimony and faith are tested as she struggles with difficulties that arise in her life. Her younger sister Carly develops an eating disorder, she is kicked of the varsity basketball team, and, as with all coming of age stories, boy drama.
This book is a very cute and relatable story. It shows real struggles that many young girls faces all over the world. It did feel a bit premeditated and predictable at times, but it encompasses the love of families and the bond between sisters very well. It made me think a lot about my own sisters and what we've been through and how we will always be there for each other.
Content warning:
-Eating Disorders
-Some sexual references (boys staring at short skirts, etc.)
This book is a very cute and relatable story. It shows real struggles that many young girls faces all over the world. It did feel a bit premeditated and predictable at times, but it encompasses the love of families and the bond between sisters very well. It made me think a lot about my own sisters and what we've been through and how we will always be there for each other.
Content warning:
-Eating Disorders
-Some sexual references (boys staring at short skirts, etc.)
November 10, 2021
Very sweet Latter-day Saint YA book about sisters, family relationships, eating disorders, dealing with other family members' issues, the ups and downs as we come of age and our world starts to spin a little differently, and regular teenage issues like boys, school, and sports. We all probably know this already, but Ally Condie is a really great and talented author! I find it strange that the reviews for this subtler contemporary/religious one aren't skyrocketing, too. They should!
I am glad to own a copy of this book and to have reread it earlier this year. Today, I felt drawn to get on top of doing a review to help support it! It is worth it (just as Carly is worth so much more than she understands), so come check it out today! You won't be sorry.
I am glad to own a copy of this book and to have reread it earlier this year. Today, I felt drawn to get on top of doing a review to help support it! It is worth it (just as Carly is worth so much more than she understands), so come check it out today! You won't be sorry.
October 9, 2017
AUTHOR PECHA KUCHA BOOK #2
Being Sixteen follows the all-too-relateable Juliet Kendall through a family crisis, high school loneliness, and sports-team drama. Opening on her 16th birthday, the story hinges around a tightly wound string of trials and difficulties dealt with through Juliet's perspective, the most poignant of which is her younger sister's progressive eating disorder which drives a wedge into the heart of the family and shakes Juliet's foundation of faith. This down-to-earth novel is a telling look into the rarely exposed nitty-gritty of the "normal" mormon family. I would recommend this book to anyone 12 and up.
Being Sixteen follows the all-too-relateable Juliet Kendall through a family crisis, high school loneliness, and sports-team drama. Opening on her 16th birthday, the story hinges around a tightly wound string of trials and difficulties dealt with through Juliet's perspective, the most poignant of which is her younger sister's progressive eating disorder which drives a wedge into the heart of the family and shakes Juliet's foundation of faith. This down-to-earth novel is a telling look into the rarely exposed nitty-gritty of the "normal" mormon family. I would recommend this book to anyone 12 and up.
May 26, 2017
I really and throughly enjoyed this book. Originally I was hesitant to read this book because of the religious aspect since the topic tends to overpower the entire story but that was not the case. I loved how nothing seemed forced and it honestly was a good representation of high school.
July 7, 2018
This was hard to read at times. So raw and real. But it was a good read with a good message.
October 29, 2018
I can’t say that I loved this book. It was hard to read. It was sad. But it shared an important message and I am glad I read it. 3.5 stars.
December 31, 2018
I absalutly love this book!! I would recommend it to any girl or woman!
October 20, 2020
It was ok I didn’t really like it because it didn’t connect with me but I would recommend it to people that like this sort of book.
November 2, 2020
I have read a bunch of this author’s books, but this story focused on sisters struggling with conflicts small and large was incredibly well written.
October 25, 2010
Being sixteen is about a sixteen year-old Mormon girl, named Juliet Kendall. She believes that her sixteenth year will be her best, afterall it starts out just as she's always dreamed- she has great friends, a cute boyfriend, a spot on the varsity girls' basketball team, and even a car of her own. However, she quickly realizes that this year is going to be her hardest one yet!
Her two older sisters that she always goes to for advice, her role models, have moved away to go to college and it is just her and her sister, Carly, left at home. Juliet starts to notice that something isn't right with Carly... She made junior varsity Cheer, and is hanging out with all the popular girls, and even has a senior boyfriend, but it starts getting to her head. She starts feeling like she isn't prettier enough, or skinny enough for the friends she has. Juliet notices that Carly avoids eating with the family, her grades are sliping, she brushes her teeth obsessively, and would binge on candy. She then noticed packages of laxatives. It only meant one thing. Carly was bulimic.
Over time Carly ends up going to a rehabilitation center for people with eating disorders, and recovers. It takes time, but it happens. Not only was something wrong with Carly, but Juliet soon finds out that her boyfriend and her bestfriend were going on frequent dates, and had become an item behind her back. Also, Juliet quits the Basketball team because a new coach comes to the school and gives Juliet no playing time.
This book shows that although being sixteen is made out to be a great year, it is full of struggles. I don't think boys would enjoy this book, but I do think that teenage girls would love this book just as much as I do.
Her two older sisters that she always goes to for advice, her role models, have moved away to go to college and it is just her and her sister, Carly, left at home. Juliet starts to notice that something isn't right with Carly... She made junior varsity Cheer, and is hanging out with all the popular girls, and even has a senior boyfriend, but it starts getting to her head. She starts feeling like she isn't prettier enough, or skinny enough for the friends she has. Juliet notices that Carly avoids eating with the family, her grades are sliping, she brushes her teeth obsessively, and would binge on candy. She then noticed packages of laxatives. It only meant one thing. Carly was bulimic.
Over time Carly ends up going to a rehabilitation center for people with eating disorders, and recovers. It takes time, but it happens. Not only was something wrong with Carly, but Juliet soon finds out that her boyfriend and her bestfriend were going on frequent dates, and had become an item behind her back. Also, Juliet quits the Basketball team because a new coach comes to the school and gives Juliet no playing time.
This book shows that although being sixteen is made out to be a great year, it is full of struggles. I don't think boys would enjoy this book, but I do think that teenage girls would love this book just as much as I do.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2012
ORAL PRESENTATION
This book tells the story of Juliet Kendall, a Mormon girl who just recently turned 16. She thinks her life is perfect with her great friends, a surprise birthday party, and a kiss on the cheek from the boy she really likes, Nate. Her dream gets better as she wins a spot on the girls Varsity basketball team and goes to Homecoming with Nate. However, as the year goes on, things slowly go downhill. Nate takes her best friend on a date and then breaks up with Juliet for her. Juliet's younger sister, Carly, makes the cheerleading squad and begins hanging out with senior boys. Juliet has another shock when she discovers laxatives in Carly's bathroom and realizes that all the symptoms lead up to her being bulimic. As if that weren't enough, the Varsity coach leaves to coach elsewhere and is replaced by somebody who decides that Juliet needs to sit on the bench instead of start, causing Juliet to quit the team halfway through the season.
The year continues, though, and as Carly gets placed in an institution, Juliet finds where she can turn for peace. Her testimony in the Gospel struggles throughout this time, but she finds a friend in Jonah, a young man who she met at a group therapy session for family member's of people with eating disorders. He introduces her to a song by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Abide With Me), and encourages her to look elsewhere for a release, which she finds in high jumping. She ends up going to prom with Jonah, placing second in high jump at the state tournament, and supporting her sister as she goes through the recovery process and is released from the treatment center. In the end, Carly bears her testimony in Sacrament Meeting, and it's Juliet who is able to lean on her to renew her faith in the Gospel.
This book tells the story of Juliet Kendall, a Mormon girl who just recently turned 16. She thinks her life is perfect with her great friends, a surprise birthday party, and a kiss on the cheek from the boy she really likes, Nate. Her dream gets better as she wins a spot on the girls Varsity basketball team and goes to Homecoming with Nate. However, as the year goes on, things slowly go downhill. Nate takes her best friend on a date and then breaks up with Juliet for her. Juliet's younger sister, Carly, makes the cheerleading squad and begins hanging out with senior boys. Juliet has another shock when she discovers laxatives in Carly's bathroom and realizes that all the symptoms lead up to her being bulimic. As if that weren't enough, the Varsity coach leaves to coach elsewhere and is replaced by somebody who decides that Juliet needs to sit on the bench instead of start, causing Juliet to quit the team halfway through the season.
The year continues, though, and as Carly gets placed in an institution, Juliet finds where she can turn for peace. Her testimony in the Gospel struggles throughout this time, but she finds a friend in Jonah, a young man who she met at a group therapy session for family member's of people with eating disorders. He introduces her to a song by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Abide With Me), and encourages her to look elsewhere for a release, which she finds in high jumping. She ends up going to prom with Jonah, placing second in high jump at the state tournament, and supporting her sister as she goes through the recovery process and is released from the treatment center. In the end, Carly bears her testimony in Sacrament Meeting, and it's Juliet who is able to lean on her to renew her faith in the Gospel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2010
Juliet, being LDS couldn't wait for her life to begin once she turned 16. Now she could drive, get a cell phone and most of all she could date just like her older sisters did before her. She fit into the "Kendall girls" clone of being a good basketball player and being a "good girl". Everything started out great, she got her drivers license, had a car to call her own, she had a boyfriend, and she was on the varsity basketball team. Then everything changed. The legendary varsity basketball coach got another job and the new coach didn't play her, her boyfriend started dating her best friend, her sister definately had the signs of a eating disorder, and she didn't have as strong a testimony as she did before. Her sister went into an inpatient home, she quit the basketball team and was friendless or so she thought. She starts doing the high jump and this becomes her "outlet" to deal with her sisters struggles. She also starts attending a siblings group therapy and meets Jonah. They hit is off because he understands what she is going through and what she needs to cope. They help each other and become each other's support and ear. Juliet learns through these experiences that there are alot of labels attatched to people and she is guilty of doing this too, but that Christ and Heavenly Father can stripe off those labels and see who we really are and still love us and help us through our individual struggles even in the form of an unlikely friend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2015
I had read the first few pages when I first got the book, and since yesterday was a cold, rainy Sunday that I spent my entire day in PJs in, I thought I would take a crack at the book. I had started with maybe 10 pages of a head start, but managed to finish it all by 12:15 AM this morning.
What I love the most is Ally Condie's books, although geared to teens, isn't the usual saccharine-sweet LDS cutesy stuff, but actually deals with stuff that CAN happen.
Juliet Kendall is hoping on having the perfect year. As a Mormon teen, hitting 16 is a big deal. It means boyfriends, cars, and adventures, but her 16th year is anything but sweet. Her sister is struggling with problems, which in turn cause Juliet to have problems as well. Whereas her sister, Carly, has outward problems, Juliet is finding that she is losing her faith. She also struggles with love, friendship, and everything else that could possibly affect the lives of teens.
Granted, this book is geared towards teens, but I was able to pull out some relevance as well. Juliet, for example, goes through the motions of practicing her faith. However, she struggles with not having that feeling of knowing what she has always known to be true. This is something I think many can relate to, and so I feel this book can apply to anyone.
What I love the most is Ally Condie's books, although geared to teens, isn't the usual saccharine-sweet LDS cutesy stuff, but actually deals with stuff that CAN happen.
Juliet Kendall is hoping on having the perfect year. As a Mormon teen, hitting 16 is a big deal. It means boyfriends, cars, and adventures, but her 16th year is anything but sweet. Her sister is struggling with problems, which in turn cause Juliet to have problems as well. Whereas her sister, Carly, has outward problems, Juliet is finding that she is losing her faith. She also struggles with love, friendship, and everything else that could possibly affect the lives of teens.
Granted, this book is geared towards teens, but I was able to pull out some relevance as well. Juliet, for example, goes through the motions of practicing her faith. However, she struggles with not having that feeling of knowing what she has always known to be true. This is something I think many can relate to, and so I feel this book can apply to anyone.
September 27, 2013
Oral presentation book
Juliet looks forward to a year of friends, dating, and basketball when she turns sixteen. At first everything looks to be going her way. But she ends up being benched for most of the basketball season and breaks up with her almost-boyfriend, who has fallen for her best friend. Meanwhile her sister Carly is diagnosed with an eating disorder. The difficult circumstances in Juliet's life cause her to question her testimony. I haven't read very much LDS fiction, and I'm not very aware of the genre. But I love Ally Condie's writing style. It's sort of poetic. And I liked this book because it did remind me of being sixteen, even though I faced a very different set of challenges at that age. The voice is very relatable though. I've read a fair number of books on eating disorders, and I think Condie handles the subject well. This is the first book I've read about an eating disorder that wasn't from the perspective of the person with the disorder, and I thought that was an interesting angle to work from.
Juliet looks forward to a year of friends, dating, and basketball when she turns sixteen. At first everything looks to be going her way. But she ends up being benched for most of the basketball season and breaks up with her almost-boyfriend, who has fallen for her best friend. Meanwhile her sister Carly is diagnosed with an eating disorder. The difficult circumstances in Juliet's life cause her to question her testimony. I haven't read very much LDS fiction, and I'm not very aware of the genre. But I love Ally Condie's writing style. It's sort of poetic. And I liked this book because it did remind me of being sixteen, even though I faced a very different set of challenges at that age. The voice is very relatable though. I've read a fair number of books on eating disorders, and I think Condie handles the subject well. This is the first book I've read about an eating disorder that wasn't from the perspective of the person with the disorder, and I thought that was an interesting angle to work from.
September 28, 2015
I picked this book up because I needed a book that I could finish in a day, for the 2015 reading challenge. If I really wanted to, I could have. But I didn't. I had no idea it was written by the author of the Matched trilogy. So that instantly made me want to read this. I also had no idea that it was very Mormon until I read the prologue. I'm not religious at all but it didn't stop me from reading it.
First of all the minute you turn 16 you don't magically get asked on a date, my friends and I can tell you that, and now a days you don't get to drive friends in the car when you first get your license.
Now I'm not going to pretend that I know I thing about eating disorders, because I don't and have never had a friend who did it. That being said I can't relate to this book at all. But I didn't put it down and not bother to read it. That's what I call good writing. But I wouldn't read this book again.
First of all the minute you turn 16 you don't magically get asked on a date, my friends and I can tell you that, and now a days you don't get to drive friends in the car when you first get your license.
Now I'm not going to pretend that I know I thing about eating disorders, because I don't and have never had a friend who did it. That being said I can't relate to this book at all. But I didn't put it down and not bother to read it. That's what I call good writing. But I wouldn't read this book again.
February 5, 2010
This book was fantastic. One of the best LDS fiction I read.
This is a well-written book about a 16 year old dealing with some very difficult things and the author resolves them in a very real way. I loved how Juliet grew over the course of the novel, and you never find her little sister annoying or bratty, you find her real. (I also appreciated how the author didn't try to add in a bunch of references to teen culture (facebook, ipods) like some authors make the mistake of trying to do- it just makes the author look old and out of touch.)
The author is really good at her craft- she uses symbolism beautifully and there are none of the tropes of LDS fiction (you know, where someone gets hit by a car and ends up almost dying and magically everyone gets their lives back on track).
I was really pleased with this book- I am going to have to go and read her other books now, too!
This is a well-written book about a 16 year old dealing with some very difficult things and the author resolves them in a very real way. I loved how Juliet grew over the course of the novel, and you never find her little sister annoying or bratty, you find her real. (I also appreciated how the author didn't try to add in a bunch of references to teen culture (facebook, ipods) like some authors make the mistake of trying to do- it just makes the author look old and out of touch.)
The author is really good at her craft- she uses symbolism beautifully and there are none of the tropes of LDS fiction (you know, where someone gets hit by a car and ends up almost dying and magically everyone gets their lives back on track).
I was really pleased with this book- I am going to have to go and read her other books now, too!
May 9, 2016
WARNINGS 1-5
Drugs: 2
Sex: 1
Rock n' Roll: 1
Language: 1
Violence and Abuse: 2
This book expresses perfectly what it is like be in a relationship with someone who has a disorder. Juliet, the main character, shares the ordinary problems of a sixteen-year-old with the reader. What I found especially interesting was that Juliet is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, or Mormon. You can really see her struggle with the church and her own testimony grow.
The growth that this character takes, from keeping her sisters secret to dealing with her own problems, transforms her into a young woman well on her way to adulthood. The only reason why I say she isn't an adult is due to the fact that she does act like a teenager and she does preform any acts that represent the passage to adulthood. She is just a girl trying to figure out life.
Drugs: 2
Sex: 1
Rock n' Roll: 1
Language: 1
Violence and Abuse: 2
This book expresses perfectly what it is like be in a relationship with someone who has a disorder. Juliet, the main character, shares the ordinary problems of a sixteen-year-old with the reader. What I found especially interesting was that Juliet is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, or Mormon. You can really see her struggle with the church and her own testimony grow.
The growth that this character takes, from keeping her sisters secret to dealing with her own problems, transforms her into a young woman well on her way to adulthood. The only reason why I say she isn't an adult is due to the fact that she does act like a teenager and she does preform any acts that represent the passage to adulthood. She is just a girl trying to figure out life.
June 15, 2010
This is my first 5 stars to an LDS author. Most of them them tend to be light on content, heavy on spiritual clichés. I think this author has found a perfect balance in this book - it felt 'true'. Juliet is a teen, a little self-centered like most teens, but you can see the growth as she struggles to find her footing when things don't go the way she planed. Even though this is a YA book, it was not overly 'teen-ish' and I found myself empathizing with Juliet (I'm not a teen anymore), the family struggles that life throws at you and even the fake it 'till you make it'. Her writing was easy, but not shallow and although I would have liked to learn more about her relationship with her parents, it was not that major. I am a little stunned to write it: this was a good book! Oh my HECK! LOL
October 10, 2011
4.5 stars. I really liked it. I thought it was going to be just a light teenagey, somewhat cheezy read, but there was some real depth to it! And enough talent on the author's part to actually bring out my emotions. It made me homesick for my sisters, and for those teenage years that I sometimes wish I could redo with my sisters, just to have more time with them and really pay attention to what was going on in their lives. The author actually does a really good job of portraying a teenager's worries, dreams, and fears realistically. I could really relate to the main character and her little sister - it totally took me for a stroll down memory lane of my teen years. The bond between sisters is an amazing thing.
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