Today, I read the first two chapters of How my Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller by Julia DeVillers. This book was a recommendation from my professor, and without a doubt, I already think it's a great text for teens (especially girls =] ).
At first, I felt as if I may not make a connection to the story-- but, as I continued to read, I couldn't stop making text-self connections. The main character (coincidentally is also named Jamie), who is a girl that is true to her feelings. Many of the experiences that she explains within these two chapters can relate to many girls, not just myself. I wasn't part of the 'popular crowd', and can relate to being overwhelmed with the demands of high school and how girls are expected to 'think'. Girls often have unrealistic expectations of themselves (not skinny enough, not popular enough...) and reading this text and putting myself in Jamie's shoes, makes me think about the same experiences I went through. One of Jamie's biggest fears--sitting alone at lunch; mine was too.
I am interested to read the rest of this book, especially because now Jamie is famous from her journal writing, and VERY popular. I am anticipating reading to see how she evolves and develops as a character... does she still have the same attitudes?
Jamie, this sounds like a good book for many teenagers to read especially girls. I will say that as a guy and the only guy in the class we have similar situations and feelings growing up (not tall enough, not strong enough, not so athletic). Believe it or not, nobody regardless of gender wants to sit alone at the lunch table as a teenager. I am interested in finding out where this story went from here.
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