Story of a Girl (National Book Award Finalist)
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4.3 • 103 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
Now a movie on Lifetime!
I was thirteen when my dad caught me with Tommy Webber in the back of Tommy's Buick, parked next to the old Chart House down in Montara at eleven o'clock on a Tuesday night. Tommy was seventeen and the supposed friend of my brother, Darren.
I didn't love him.
I'm not sure I even liked him.
In a moment, Deanna Lambert's teenage life is changed forever. Struggling to overcome the lasting repercussions and the stifling role of "school slut," Deanna longs to escape a life defined by her past. With subtle grace, complicated wisdom, and striking emotion, Story of a Girl reminds us of our human capacity for resilience, epiphany, and redemption.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Zarr's involving yet somewhat anti-climactic debut opens with a bang as Deanna Lambert recalls the moment that caused everything in her life to change: "I was thirteen when my dad caught me with Tommy Webber in the back of Tommy's Buick." Following this incident with the then 17-year-old boy, Deanna is shunned by her father and labeled "the school slut" by her peers. In her small town, the tag sticks, and continues to define Deanna's life for the next three years. Now 16, she lands a summer job only to discover that Tommy works at the same place. But seeing him sparks flashbacks, and through them Zarr give readers insight into how Deanna was drawn to Tommy, and the complicated feelings the teen experienced ("I don't mean anything corny like I fell in love.... It was more a feeling like when I'd get picked first for volleyball"). The author credibly explores Deanna's confusion about how good it feels to be with Tommy and her thoughts that she should be feeling something else. The narrative is less credible when she erupts at her best (girl)friend, Lee paving the way for Deanna to kiss her longtime best friend, Jason (who is also Lee's boyfriend) and also when Deanna confronts Tommy after a makeout session. Although the loose ends are tied up at the end, readers may find Deanna's character somewhat contradictory. But Zarr convincingly creates a teen trapped by small-minded people in a small town. Ages 12-up.
Customer Reviews
The Story of a Girl
This book is amazing.
“Sometimes rescue comes to you.
It just shows up, and you do nothing.
Maybe you deserve it, maybe you don’t.
But be ready, when it comes,
to decide if you will take the outstretched hand
and let it pull you ashore.”
-Excerpt From: Zarr, Sara. “Story of a Girl.” Little Brown, Books for Young Readers, 2008-03-01.
One of the best books out there
I first read this when I was 13 in 8th grade. Now I'm about to graduate highschool and this story has still stayed with me. It's a great freaking book.
Awesomely amazing!!!
This book was awesome! I love it and have more than a few similarities