Story of a Girl

Story of a Girl
Sarah Zarr
ISBN-10:0-316-01454
Publisher:Little Brown, 2008

Plot Summary: Deanna is still dealing with the repercussions of having sex at the age of thirteen with her boyfriend. Her father caught them and therefore he lost respect for her. He still after four years will not look at her the same. Deanna also has a terrible reputation from all of the horrible things Tommy told everyone about her. She now appears promiscuous to the other teens at school and the story is told from her perspective as she deals with the rejection and judgement of her peers and her father.

Critical Analysis: Zarr explores the difficult aspects of teen sex. We see Deanna regret her choice to sleep with Tommy and how an act to seek affection has her feeling worse about herself. Her confidence is lower as a result. and this challenges teens to consider their choices about sex.

Annotation:
Sarah faces the consequences of having sex with her boyfriend when she was thirteen, an now she is four years older, still enduring the mistake.

Author: Sarah Zarr grew up in San Francisco in the seventies and eighties. Her family is creative. Her parents met while attending music school and her mom read to her and her sister nearly every night. She read from books, novel, and even the Bible.

Genre:YA Novel
Curriculum Ties: English Literature, psychology

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) Do you believe in teen sex?
2.) Why do you think Deanna had sex so young?
3.) Do you feel she was promiscuous or is it a judgement?

Reading Level/ Age: 16 and up/ 10th grade and up

Challenge Issues: sex
In addition, I would explain policies for selection for San Diego County Libraries:

http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
If after my working to convince the patron, they still were not satisfied and wanted to file a grievance, I would provide the needed paper work and then it would go to the “Challenged Materials” team for San Diego County and then onward until there is resolution: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf

Selection: I observed a book club for teens and this book spurred great discussion among both boys and girls. For this reason I believe is is an asset to the collection of any YA section.