Dating
Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 8:39pm
Self-conscious, 13-year-old Marcy deals with a poor self-image, a tyrannical father, and an enabling mother. Her life begins to change with the arrival of a new English teacher, Ms. Finney, who challenges her ideas about everything. When Ms. Finney is suspended, Marcy finds herself in a new position at school and at home in which she can no longer sink into the shadows.
One thing I like about this book is how Marcy learns about having the courage to stand up for what you believe in. Her process of acquiring this knowledge is quite overt, and conversations about it are blunt, which makes it easy to see. You can dig the groovy 70’s lingo, too.
Click for Discussion Questions
Best Audience:
Girls ages 12-15
Parts that might raise objections:
defying authority, tasting beer, terminology (“sex fiend”), near violence from dad
Ideas you will want to discuss:
dating, standing up for ideas, families, shyness, self image, school 
Recent comments
2 years 13 weeks ago