Perfect
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Genre(s)
Age Range
12+
ISBN
1571316523
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Editor reviews
2 reviews
Perfectly on target
Overall rating
5.0
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Everything seems to be happening at a younger and younger age today. Girls wearing real makeup at the age I was only playing with the fake stuff&and having their first period, their first boyfriend, their first diet&way before I had any concept of the stuff. Its inevitable, I suppose, but some of it is downright scary.
Natasha Friends first novel follows Isabelles journey through bulimia and back. Shes only thirteen, but dealing with issues that even adults have trouble with. Her situation isnt unusual though, and thats where the scariness factor comes in. Girls of her age and even younger are dabbling with life-threatening eating disorders more and more every day.
But let me step back a minute. This isnt a preachy novel, or even a tear-jerking cautionary tale like any Beatrice Sparks book. Told in Isabelles voice, you see where shes coming from and shes not judged for where shes at or where shes going. The author lets the readers make up their own minds about the situation. That makes for a much stronger case, in my mind, against eating disorders.
Isabelles father is newly deceased and her mother is still reeling from the shock. Her little sister, April, is the one who discovers Isabelle in the bathroom forcing herself to throw up and that lands Isabelle in an Eating Disorder and Body Image Therapy Group. Nothing shocks Isabelle more than to find Ashley Barnum, the reigning cool girl at school, in the group as well.
Isabelle and Ashley become friends and co-conspirators. At first, Isabelle is completely taken in by Ashley and the thought of being with the in crowd but soon little chinks in Ashleys armor start to appear. At the same time, Isabelle begins to see some value in the group therapy, and even in her little sister.
This is a very strong first novel and one that every girl should read. Every single one of us (Ive yet to meet an exception) has worried about our weight at one time or another and all of us have had secret thoughts about how great it would be if we were just a little thinner and what if& Mothers, read this book with your daughters.
Natasha Friends first novel follows Isabelles journey through bulimia and back. Shes only thirteen, but dealing with issues that even adults have trouble with. Her situation isnt unusual though, and thats where the scariness factor comes in. Girls of her age and even younger are dabbling with life-threatening eating disorders more and more every day.
But let me step back a minute. This isnt a preachy novel, or even a tear-jerking cautionary tale like any Beatrice Sparks book. Told in Isabelles voice, you see where shes coming from and shes not judged for where shes at or where shes going. The author lets the readers make up their own minds about the situation. That makes for a much stronger case, in my mind, against eating disorders.
Isabelles father is newly deceased and her mother is still reeling from the shock. Her little sister, April, is the one who discovers Isabelle in the bathroom forcing herself to throw up and that lands Isabelle in an Eating Disorder and Body Image Therapy Group. Nothing shocks Isabelle more than to find Ashley Barnum, the reigning cool girl at school, in the group as well.
Isabelle and Ashley become friends and co-conspirators. At first, Isabelle is completely taken in by Ashley and the thought of being with the in crowd but soon little chinks in Ashleys armor start to appear. At the same time, Isabelle begins to see some value in the group therapy, and even in her little sister.
This is a very strong first novel and one that every girl should read. Every single one of us (Ive yet to meet an exception) has worried about our weight at one time or another and all of us have had secret thoughts about how great it would be if we were just a little thinner and what if& Mothers, read this book with your daughters.
User reviews
13 reviews
Overall rating
4.1
Plot
4.2(13)
Characters
4.0(1)
Writing Style
4.0(1)
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A quick and worthy read Upper MG/beginning YA
Overall rating
4.0
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It was an enjoyable read for me, and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend this for a 7th or 8th grade class. I'd like to read more books by Natasha Friend, too.
Good Points
I thought this was a great quick read, and likely a beginning YA book. I'd place it along the edge of MG/YA (Mid Grade/Young Adult). It's at the top of MG, and at the beginning of YA. The issues dealt with are solid and real, ones I found particularly compelling to want to keep reading to find out what happens.
The story centers around Isabelle Lee and her unlikely BFF, Ashley Barnum, the perfect popular girl at school. When both girls end up in a group for girls with particular disorders, Isabelle can't believe little miss perfect is in the same group.
As the story unravels, it becomes clearer how much both girls have in common and how a friendship sparked in group can help both girls find their way on the pathway to healing and wholeness again. Each girl has unique family issues that warrant their acting out, and I found the writing tight and well focused.
being belimic
Overall rating
3.0
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Reader reviewed by viki
this story is realistic fiction it tells the story of a make belive girl who like many other girls thinks she's fat.maybe she is but instead of dieting and eating right she decides to become belimic(make herself throw up). now her worried mother makes her go to a suport group.even in the suport group thing aren'ts going to well ,plus on top of making herself vomit her father just passed away.will she ever fell she can stop vomiting.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Perfection is Only Skin Deep
Overall rating
3.0
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Reader reviewed by mearley
Isabelle
is an eighth grader with an eating disorder. Rather than focus on the
Bulimia, however, this novel focuses on what triggered it (the death of
Isabelle's father). A secondary character, Ashley, illustrates that
even when a person's life appears perfect, underneath a person can be
just about as far from perfect as you could imagine. Middle school
girls will enjoy this one.
Isabelle
is an eighth grader with an eating disorder. Rather than focus on the
Bulimia, however, this novel focuses on what triggered it (the death of
Isabelle's father). A secondary character, Ashley, illustrates that
even when a person's life appears perfect, underneath a person can be
just about as far from perfect as you could imagine. Middle school
girls will enjoy this one.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
OkAY
Overall rating
3.0
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Reader reviewed by Alexis
I thought this book was okay but it wasn't the best. It didn't really keep me hooked like previous books I have read. I think it was set up really nicely and was easy to follow, but didn't have any real volume. I didn't think this book had depth to it. It was kinda boring, because it was so short. I think this is for younger people and not anyone my age. I think people who like books with big problems, but don't like to read long books will do just fine with this book. Have fun reading
I thought this book was okay but it wasn't the best. It didn't really keep me hooked like previous books I have read. I think it was set up really nicely and was easy to follow, but didn't have any real volume. I didn't think this book had depth to it. It was kinda boring, because it was so short. I think this is for younger people and not anyone my age. I think people who like books with big problems, but don't like to read long books will do just fine with this book. Have fun reading
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
this was PERFECT
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Pageant Babe
Natasha Friends first novel follows Isabelle has she deals with the loss of her father and the start of a serious eatting disorder, bullima at the age of just thirteen. Isabelle feels she can no longer control any aspect of her life except for maybe her weight. Her father has passed and her mom is still in shock. Then of course there is the pesty sister April who discovers the eatting disorder and tells their mom on her. Next Isabelle know she is in a Eating Disorder and Body Image Therapy Group. Nothing shocks Isabelle more than to find Ashley Barnum a popular girl at school is also in the group. Ashley and Isabelle become fast and dangerous friends. This is a very powerful book and I was surprised to learn that it was the authors first novel.
Natasha Friends first novel follows Isabelle has she deals with the loss of her father and the start of a serious eatting disorder, bullima at the age of just thirteen. Isabelle feels she can no longer control any aspect of her life except for maybe her weight. Her father has passed and her mom is still in shock. Then of course there is the pesty sister April who discovers the eatting disorder and tells their mom on her. Next Isabelle know she is in a Eating Disorder and Body Image Therapy Group. Nothing shocks Isabelle more than to find Ashley Barnum a popular girl at school is also in the group. Ashley and Isabelle become fast and dangerous friends. This is a very powerful book and I was surprised to learn that it was the authors first novel.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Absolutely Perfect
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Lu
This is a must read book!
This book is very unique on it's own because, it is unlike any other book out there. This book tells a powerful and moving story.
I would recomend this book to someone who wants something very different and exciting to read that will change the way that they look at books! A great book to read!
This is a must read book!
This book is very unique on it's own because, it is unlike any other book out there. This book tells a powerful and moving story.
I would recomend this book to someone who wants something very different and exciting to read that will change the way that they look at books! A great book to read!
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
IT's a drama filled, teenage life
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by Katie
This book is filled with a different view on life. Isabella is the main charecter. Her dad dies, and she has a eating disorder because he dies and her mom cries all day long. Her younger sister finds out that she has an eating disorder and she tells her mom, so her mom makes her go to "group" to help her with her eating disorder. she finds out that ashley ( the most popular girl at school) has an eating disorder too. The two girls become best friends but, there are more twists than that and you'll just have to read the book to see what happends!!!
This book is filled with a different view on life. Isabella is the main charecter. Her dad dies, and she has a eating disorder because he dies and her mom cries all day long. Her younger sister finds out that she has an eating disorder and she tells her mom, so her mom makes her go to "group" to help her with her eating disorder. she finds out that ashley ( the most popular girl at school) has an eating disorder too. The two girls become best friends but, there are more twists than that and you'll just have to read the book to see what happends!!!
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Perfect
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by Alicia
Wow I thought Perfect and her newest book LUSH were completely awesome. I hope she really makes new books based on topics like these. She is a terrific author Natasha Friend. I just finished Lush this evening and I was upset because i never wanted it to end. If she makes more books I will buy them all..no doubt.
You should read them if u didnt read them yet.
- Alicia
Wow I thought Perfect and her newest book LUSH were completely awesome. I hope she really makes new books based on topics like these. She is a terrific author Natasha Friend. I just finished Lush this evening and I was upset because i never wanted it to end. If she makes more books I will buy them all..no doubt.
You should read them if u didnt read them yet.
- Alicia
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
Nobody is Perfect
Overall rating
4.0
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Reader reviewed by safia
People deal with grief and stress in many ways. For Isabelle, after her dad dies, she begans to binge and purge. But now she has been caught by her younger sister and is sent to the "Eating Disorders and Body Image Therapy Group". There she learns valuable lessons and even meets the Miss Popular Ashley Barnum that goes to Isabelle's school.
This is a story that everybody should read and maybe find a it of themselves in the characters. It's also a great book on body image and such for middle schoolers.
People deal with grief and stress in many ways. For Isabelle, after her dad dies, she begans to binge and purge. But now she has been caught by her younger sister and is sent to the "Eating Disorders and Body Image Therapy Group". There she learns valuable lessons and even meets the Miss Popular Ashley Barnum that goes to Isabelle's school.
This is a story that everybody should read and maybe find a it of themselves in the characters. It's also a great book on body image and such for middle schoolers.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
perfect
Overall rating
5.0
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Reader reviewed by paula
This book was a very impotant book .It shows how
teen girls should not think of what other people
think .It tells how young girls our age could put their self in risk. the book shows pain and life.
This book was a very impotant book .It shows how
teen girls should not think of what other people
think .It tells how young girls our age could put their self in risk. the book shows pain and life.
G
Guest
#1 Reviewer
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