Writers of Color 50 Books Challenge

19. Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley

I didn't expect to like this, as normally I can't stand 'poor little rich girl' stories. I think the difference here is that I couldn't help liking Syrah, the main character. She wasn't self-pitying, and didn't sit around waiting for someone else to come and fix her life. Her problems were the type that I think most could relate to - family, weight, boyfriend, friends, and the loss of something she loved (snowboarding, after an accident).

I liked that all the characters ended up quite complex, even if some of them started out seeming stereotypical. I also very much liked the ending, although I don't want to spoil it! And finally, I liked how Headley handled issues like gender and weight - Syrah wasn't made happy by succeeding in losing weight, she became happy when she gave up dieting and started to enjoy food.

20. Lucy the Giant by Sherri L. Smith

Another book about a teenage girl with family problems :). But very, very different. Lucy's father is an alcoholic, and she is driven to run away. Her height (over 6 foot) means she is taken as an adult - something she takes advantage of by joining a crabbing boat.

I loved this. It was very emotional, reading as Lucy learnt what normal life was like for most people - from the big things, like having someone care for them, to little things, like learning that most people don't leave money lying out in the open. Of course, in the end the boat crew she's joined discover her real age. They reacted the way you'd imagine, but even so, this has a happy (or at least hopeful) ending. It made me cry, so if you feel like a depressing but hopeful read, I recommend this!