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A review by libraryoflanelle
Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson
I had a nostalgic time but WOULD NOT RECOMMEND to the target audience. More on why below:
(addition after re-reading the series:the 3rd and 4th books do get better with the below but are still a product of their time)
Much like many people, I am re- reading the ‘Girls’ series with a friend ahead of the release of ‘Think Again’ in September.
I am not giving a star rating because a. I am not the target audience and b. This book is a product of its time, so although nostalgic I would 100% NOT recommend this to teens or pre-teens today.
The main character Ellie, much like many girls of her age both then and now, is very fixated on her weight and dieting. Whilst this is arguably a ‘realistic’ portrayal of teen years, particularly for those socialised as girls, it could be (and likely has been) very triggering for young minds who do not yet have the critical thinking skills to separate themselves from the character’s negative self-talk.
In a world where we are doing so much to discourage diet culture and fatphobia, particularly amongst those socialised as girls, this series feels like it is no longer relevant or helpful for today’s teen minds. I would strongly encourage people not to promote these books to the target demographic as I am of the opinion that it would hinder rather then help.
I will also add that there are a few other problematic things within these pages that would also discourage me from recommending, namely the at times unsafe romantic and parental relationships and the use of the T***** slur toward the end of the book.
Overall, I will be continuing my re-read ahead of Think Again’s release but it’s a big nope from me as a recommendation!
(addition after re-reading the series:the 3rd and 4th books do get better with the below but are still a product of their time)
Much like many people, I am re- reading the ‘Girls’ series with a friend ahead of the release of ‘Think Again’ in September.
I am not giving a star rating because a. I am not the target audience and b. This book is a product of its time, so although nostalgic I would 100% NOT recommend this to teens or pre-teens today.
The main character Ellie, much like many girls of her age both then and now, is very fixated on her weight and dieting. Whilst this is arguably a ‘realistic’ portrayal of teen years, particularly for those socialised as girls, it could be (and likely has been) very triggering for young minds who do not yet have the critical thinking skills to separate themselves from the character’s negative self-talk.
In a world where we are doing so much to discourage diet culture and fatphobia, particularly amongst those socialised as girls, this series feels like it is no longer relevant or helpful for today’s teen minds. I would strongly encourage people not to promote these books to the target demographic as I am of the opinion that it would hinder rather then help.
I will also add that there are a few other problematic things within these pages that would also discourage me from recommending, namely the at times unsafe romantic and parental relationships and the use of the T***** slur toward the end of the book.
Overall, I will be continuing my re-read ahead of Think Again’s release but it’s a big nope from me as a recommendation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
Minor: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Grief, and Death of parent