Big Girl Small by Rachel DeWoskin
FSG • $25 • ISBN 9780374112578
on sale May 10, 2011
A lot of people could probably say that they didn’t fit in in high school, in one way or another. But the protagonist of Rachel DeWoskin’s third novel, Big Girl Small, has us all beat: at 16 years old, she’s three feet, nine inches tall, and she’s embroiled in a major scandal.
But Judy would be unique no matter what size she was. From the beginning, her voice crackles off the page and joins the ranks of other memorable teen narrators.
Speaking of trouble, I once read that parents of kids with childhood leukemia suffer more posttraumatic stress disorders and recurring nightmares than the kids themselves do. I can see why. Watching your kid suffer has to suck at least as much as suffering yourself. If my mom could give me her legs, I bet she would. And I’d take them, too, because I’m that kind of person. I’d rip them right off, and use them to tower and hop above everyone like I was on pogo sticks. It’s a fact, even though it’s hypothetical, do you know what I mean? If she could, my mom would give her legs to me, and I would take them. And that’s why I can never go home again, because having to watch me die of misery over this Darcy scandal might be even more hideous for them than it is for me, if that’s possible.
What are you reading this week?
I’m reading “prayers and lies” by sherri wood emmons. I just finished “when we were strangers”. Both are very good books.
I am almost through reading Native Spirits by Melinda Elmore. An Amazing read.
Blurb:
White Hawk and Half Moon are meant to be together, but when Half Moon is taken captive by the white settlers, can their bond hold them together, or will this be their demise?
Here’s an excerpt:
White Hawk called all the creatures of the forest. “My animal friends please show me the way in which Half Moon has been taken.”
White Hawk was in a daze, as he climbed the mountain in its winding formation. He glanced over the mountain’s edge, revealing the openness of the land below. The creek was almost as if it was not even there because the water barely moved — frozen by the cold weather.
White Hawk realized he was alone. He wished he could be more dependent on himself. He must learn to cope on his own. He knew if he could get through this, then he would be strong enough in his later life to handle anything.
His horse startled, rearing up on its hind legs. Holding on tightly, glancing around the area, he finally saw what had spooked him.
A herd of wild horses grazed the land over the next hill range. White Hawk stopped, taking in the beauty of the sacred animals. They nudged on each other, showing affection.
The herd consisted of many different colors, but one caught White Hawk’s eye. It was of the purest white, with sparkling blue eyes. It stared, eventually galloping toward him.
As it got closer, White Hawk sensed this to be a very sacred animal. The color of white was a sign of sacredness. He climbed off his horse, tying him to the nearest boulder, but keeping focused on the pure white one.
As he coaxed it closer, the blue eyes fixed on him. He waited patiently, squatting down by the rocks. It walked closer.
White Hawk decided that he would wait for as long as it took to capture this sacred animal’s heart. He realized time was of the essences but something from the spirit world told him that he must get the white horse.
Rebecca,
Thank you so much. You are such a sweet person.
Walk in harmony,
Melinda
I’m reading “The Gate House” by Nelson DeMille.
Just finished “The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton and last night I started “Bogmeadow’s Wish” by Terry Kay. Also half-way through “Amsterdam” by Ian McEwan. I found “Forgotten Garden” to be a bit too long and a little difficult to remember as the story went back and forth, with the characters, during almost 100 years. For those that might be interested, it’s 549 pages long.
As usual, I have several books going. I am currently reading:
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller (for book club). It’s fascinating.
Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd (just started it)
The Wikkeling by Steven Arntson (very strange)
The Troubled Man by Mankell
I just started “Keys to the castle” by Donna Ball. This is her latest
book. I have read her “Ladybug farm” series and loved them.
This is a different story, but good so far.
I just finished reading a 1999 thriller called The Eleventh Commandment by Jeffrey Archer. Could not put it down. What a good and exciting read. Recommend for all those who like to be on the edge of your chair and continual changes throughout the book.
Back to a favorite author, John Harvey. Reading the last(?) in the Resnick series, Cold in Hand.
The Discovery of Witches. loving it, savoring it,
I loved this book, too. It was amazing how quickly I breezed through it given that it’s about as thick as a brick!