Books like How I Survived Being a Girl

How I Survived Being a Girl was my favorite book when I was younger, and I only read it once. So when I found it in my stacks and stacks of books, I had to pick it up again. I scarcely even remembered what it was about, and since I didn't really want to pick up anything too hefty before school started, I just figured I'd give this one a quick reread. I have found that this book still stands as one of my favorites, despite my age difference (I was about six or seven when I first read it, compared to fifteen years old now). When I was younger, I felt that I could relate to the narrator, Carolyn, a lot. Though I have outgrown many of the problems this younger fictional character faces, I still look back on the books as a gem that can still give me a laugh when I need it. My current thing that I really love about this book is that it addresses that girls seem to have rules on how to behave rather than boys. I just sat here reading the book thinking, 'This book tells some real shit, doesn't it?' It is that way, and that the young girl narrator of this book recognizes it and communicates it to other young girls makes me very proud. It also encourages girls to break the rules that society enforces on young girls and just to be their own person. It's very empowering and a theme that I wouldn't think be in a kid's book. I certainly didn't remember it from when I first read it!Another theme that I noticed was that Carolyn, the main character, is hurt by her brother Jack's reaction toward being a kid and how she wishes he didn't think it was such a big deal. It really rings true because it always seems that older kids look down on the younger ones at a certain age. It's comforting to know that other people share this experience too, as well as the fear of having the same mentality and growing up. The only thing that I didn't like was that it made girlishness almost a sin, which was annoying sometimes, but otherwise an interesting view on other girls that played with dolls and such. I give this book a 5/5 stars. I loved it so much and anyone who wants a laugh on this character study should read it! MY BLOG! ---> http://booksandmoviesandmusic.blogspo...