Story of a Girl

Zarr, Sara. 2007. STORY OF A GIRL. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN 0316014532 [Suggested Grade Levels 9-12]

REVIEW
One single moment can have a defining impact on one’s life, even if that moment happens at the young age of thirteen. When Deanna Lambert’s father caught her having sex in the backseat of a car, she had her moment. The moment that caused her father to stop looking her in the eye or speaking any real words to her, the moment that caused the other kids to refer to her as the school slut. Three years later and everything is still defined by that moment.

With the secret intention to eventually move out of the house with her brother, his girlfriend, and their baby, Deanna gets a job at Picasso’s Pizza. The same pizza place where Tommy, the boy from the backseat of the car, works. The moments spent at work with Tommy, at home with her permanently angry father, and in between with her girlfriends, all help Deanna begin to take control of her life. STORY OF A GIRL is rich with heartfelt emotions, realistic characters, honest relationships, and defining moments.

CONNECTIONS
Ask readers to share if they have had a defining moment in life. Additional questions could include: How did it affect you initially? How is it still affecting you? If given the opportunity, would you change the moment? What other moments stand out in your life?

RELATED BOOKS
Other books about teenage girls dealing with the consequences of their actions:
Reinhardt, Dana. HARMLESS. ISBN 0385746997
Wittlinger, Ellen. SANDPIPER. ISBN 1416936513


By Mary D. Buckalo