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The Real Me
Barbara Fisher just wants to be ordinary. She certainly doesn't want to be called a nut. But what's going on? Every time she tries to do something interesting, like sign up for tennis class or take over her brother's paper route, it turns out to be for boys only. So she has to speak up. And that, in this first-ever feminist novel for young readers, turns out to mean trouble.
140 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
2 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Betty Miles
39 books11 followersBetty Miles wrote more than thirty books for children, including easy readers, picture books, non-fiction books and nine novels for pre-adolescent readers. Her book HEY! I’M READING! is the first book about reading, written for new readers and their families.
Miles was an editor of the innovative Bank Street Readers. She has taught kindergarten children, graduate students, and volunteered as a visiting author in fourth grade classrooms at PS 291. Bronx, NY. She spoke and read workshops on reading and writing with children, parents, librarians, and teachers around the country. Betty Miles was a graduate of Antioch College. She taught children’s literature at Bank Street College of Education. Miles died on July 19, 2018 at her home in Shelburne, Vt. She was 90. She is survived by three children, Sara, David, and Ellen Miles (herself a middle grade author), and three grandchildren.
Miles was an editor of the innovative Bank Street Readers. She has taught kindergarten children, graduate students, and volunteered as a visiting author in fourth grade classrooms at PS 291. Bronx, NY. She spoke and read workshops on reading and writing with children, parents, librarians, and teachers around the country. Betty Miles was a graduate of Antioch College. She taught children’s literature at Bank Street College of Education. Miles died on July 19, 2018 at her home in Shelburne, Vt. She was 90. She is survived by three children, Sara, David, and Ellen Miles (herself a middle grade author), and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 8, 2008
I'm so glad someone made the decision to reprint. This is a really great book for young girls, the lessons on bigotry don't hit you over the head too hard, and it's just an interesting story about a fun female character who fights for her right to work as a newspaper deliverer and participate in her school's "boys only" sports program. It was first published in the early seventies, so some societal progress has been made, but that doesn't stop the story from relevancy (unfortunately!) for present day pre-teens. I especially loved it as a pre-teen paper carrier myself when I first read it back in the seventies. It underscores the need to go after what you want no matter what the cause, an important lesson at any age. I was discussing this book with an ignoramus recently who referred to it as "that dyke junior book" and I want to emphasize that this story makes no references, not even covertly, to sexuality or orientation at all, it is about an ELEVEN year old. And if an eleven year old girl wants to play tennis and deliver newspapers, I'm pretty sure it isn't any kind of statement about sexual preference, unless I've been a lesbian all these years and didn't know it. Which would probably be fine with my husband. But I don't believe that even the most right wing arch conservative would find this an inappropriate or offensive book for their children. I whole heartedly endorse this for all my home schooling associates as well.
June 3, 2021
Another nostalgia fest for me. I read this book so many times as a kid. Interestingly, I also own Just the Beginning by the same author, but I did not read that one nearly so much and I don't remember it at all. I will soon find out why - it's the next book in our project!
July 18, 2008
This book is dated, as in, you know it was written in the 70s because they call it "women's lib," the girl's not allowed to have a paper route, and other telling signs. But it's not just stuck in a specific time -- it has all the elements of a good coming-of-age story that make for a satisfying read.
August 21, 2018
Reading a couple books off my shelf at my childhood home. This one has aged surprisingly well and has a great message for young girls.
May 9, 2024
A few outdated terms, but the messages hold up surprisingly well: Some girls want paper routes or to play tennis or to take wood shop, some don't. It's ok to have friends who are boys. It's ok to want to look pretty and also want to have the same choices boys have. Your Black friend is dealing with an extra layer of challenges you might not totally understand, so let her know you see who she is and like her for her, which includes her blackness but also her kindness and smarts and strength. If you stand up for what you believe, don't expect everyone to agree and be prepared for your beliefs to cost you something. Talk about personal experiences to convince people rather than preaching at them.
The family relationships were positive but realistic, and I especially liked how Barbara and her older brother interacted. One teacher is very skilled at leading student conversations in class and another is welcoming to girls taking shop, others have a negative relationship with Barbara (the Slimnastics conversations usually result in a teacher calling her fat, yeesh). Barbara is funny and honest, a great character.
The family relationships were positive but realistic, and I especially liked how Barbara and her older brother interacted. One teacher is very skilled at leading student conversations in class and another is welcoming to girls taking shop, others have a negative relationship with Barbara (the Slimnastics conversations usually result in a teacher calling her fat, yeesh). Barbara is funny and honest, a great character.
July 3, 2017
OK, so it's a children's book - so what?
I actually read it because B Miles is someone I know. Someone I know well that has left. Maybe I thought by reading the book ... look, it was good from a teenager's point of view. Here is a girl who does things, gets rejected by her schoolmates for it, but then still comes out tops. You have to admire that.
PS There's a song Jacqui Velasquez sings about the real me too
I actually read it because B Miles is someone I know. Someone I know well that has left. Maybe I thought by reading the book ... look, it was good from a teenager's point of view. Here is a girl who does things, gets rejected by her schoolmates for it, but then still comes out tops. You have to admire that.
PS There's a song Jacqui Velasquez sings about the real me too
March 8, 2019
Loved this as a teen. My daughter read it at 9 and it's still one of her fave books two years later. Barbara is just like her, goes for what she wants without letting stereotypes restrict her and is a witty, outspoken writer. Apart from the feminist angle, I like how it shows a ten-year-old girl old responsible enough to do two after-school jobs but with no interest in dating--a good reminder to girls these days what growing up should really be about!
August 4, 2018
I read Betty Miles obituary today and remembered how much I’d loved this book.
June 12, 2020
A student recommended this book to me. It was one of the few books I've heard about that is about feminism for tweens.
Although I never checked the date of publication, I could tell it was set in the 70s. I doubt that my student could tell but I recognized the clothing, word choice, and bicycles.
The protagonist, Barbara, tackles several issues: Title IX before the equality in sports was required, racism, and women's lib. Only one of these issues is resolved by the end of the book and the resolution was less than satisfying even if it is more likely in reality.
The book also tackles growing up as an individual. I liked that message so I'll be recommending this book at the beginning of the school year.
Although I never checked the date of publication, I could tell it was set in the 70s. I doubt that my student could tell but I recognized the clothing, word choice, and bicycles.
The protagonist, Barbara, tackles several issues: Title IX before the equality in sports was required, racism, and women's lib. Only one of these issues is resolved by the end of the book and the resolution was less than satisfying even if it is more likely in reality.
The book also tackles growing up as an individual. I liked that message so I'll be recommending this book at the beginning of the school year.
October 18, 2019
The Real Me by Betty Miles was a story about a girl who was trying to get her school to have more gym options for girls. I didn't love the book because it did not go in as much depth as I would like. Although it did show me what it was like in that year. I would recomend this book to someone who want's a book that is quick to read.
-Zoe Grade 6
-Zoe Grade 6
November 20, 2022
This was a great book. It was very inspiring and proving that girls can do whatever they are determined to do.
January 11, 2023
I loved this book as a kid!
June 25, 2023
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
November 9, 2023
I read this because I found it in my childhood bedroom when I was cleaning things out. I would imagine this would be very inspiring for an 11-year-old!
August 9, 2022
Here is one of the books from my childhood and one that can probably stand besides Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
This book explores the drably named protagonist Barbara Fisher as she begins middle school and growing up at the same time. And when growing up just means being told you can't do this, you can't do that and don't you want to just look pretty as code for be quiet something has to give way. The book combines the actual story along with essays written by our protagonist as she introduces herself to the world around her in trial of being an honest writer and hoping to not seem like a nut.
Although fortunately we can choose whatever alternative classes we want now, we can be newspaper girls and so much more I would definitely recommend a read of this by any young adult needing a reminder that we can be just as powerful no matter our gender or ways that we are born into. And furthermore this book addresses how we can start peaceful changes in the world around us when we find that something just isn't fair to ourselves and/or to others.
This book explores the drably named protagonist Barbara Fisher as she begins middle school and growing up at the same time. And when growing up just means being told you can't do this, you can't do that and don't you want to just look pretty as code for be quiet something has to give way. The book combines the actual story along with essays written by our protagonist as she introduces herself to the world around her in trial of being an honest writer and hoping to not seem like a nut.
Although fortunately we can choose whatever alternative classes we want now, we can be newspaper girls and so much more I would definitely recommend a read of this by any young adult needing a reminder that we can be just as powerful no matter our gender or ways that we are born into. And furthermore this book addresses how we can start peaceful changes in the world around us when we find that something just isn't fair to ourselves and/or to others.
October 8, 2014
Probably my favorite book when I was 8-10 years old. I read it over and over. I love Betty Miles' characters and her ear for dialogue. Barbara and her family were like old friends I visited again and again. Wonderful book.
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October 2, 2007Miles, Betty PB
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews