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A review by miriamana
GingerSnaps by Cathy Cassidy
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I first read this book when I was 11 or 12, the first Cathy Cassidy story I read. I was utterly enchanted with it and read it dozens of times, always a bit breathlessly. Like Ginger, I felt like an outsider at school, and I understood her anxiety about fitting in and being liked. I also found Sam relatable in his eccentricity, and Emily in her earnestnes and vulnerability. The school magazine idea was also kind of a dream for me, who loved to write.
Reading it back as an adult, I am stunned by how young the characters are. I never pictured the characters as tweens when I read this book, not even when I was a tween myself. I always pictured young adults - but then again, when you're 11 or 12, thirteen-year-olds seem pretty grown up.The age of the characters turns out to be very important to the story, too. A more accurate vision of their ages makes a few events in the story much more disconcerting.
I did know a girl who, like Shannon, was "mature for her age" at 11 - the kind of girl who's had no choice but to grow up too fast, and who's built up a tough exterior out of necessity, and who feels acutely the excruciatingly visible politics of her own body. That perspective, which I've realised as an adult, puts a lot about Shannon's character in a clear, sad light.
Overall, I am still enchanted by this story. Maybe it's the nostalgia at this point, but I still lovethe subtle magic of hope and transformation and truth embodied by the red fox and the red autumn leaf. It's a feel-good, cathartic kind of story.
Also, although I never felt frustrated by Ginger'swishy-washy choices when it comes to her relationships, I can see why it may be irritating for some readers and possibly drive them away from her. But I always empathised deeply with her and kind of loved her agony-aunt sensible soul, while struggling through her own problems.
Reading it back as an adult, I am stunned by how young the characters are. I never pictured the characters as tweens when I read this book, not even when I was a tween myself. I always pictured young adults - but then again, when you're 11 or 12, thirteen-year-olds seem pretty grown up.
I did know a girl who, like Shannon, was "mature for her age" at 11 - the kind of girl who's had no choice but to grow up too fast, and who's built up a tough exterior out of necessity, and who feels acutely the excruciatingly visible politics of her own body. That perspective, which I've realised as an adult, puts a lot about Shannon's character in a clear, sad light.
Overall, I am still enchanted by this story. Maybe it's the nostalgia at this point, but I still love
Also, although I never felt frustrated by Ginger's
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Vomit