Review Detail

Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein
ARC received from Entangled Publishing
Release Date: 5-8-2012
The Sisters Say: A candid portrait of a teenager’s painful road to self-discovery

Pretty Amy is a heart-breaking tale of a teenager’s struggle to climb herself out of the downward spiral that has landed her at rock bottom. Lisa Burstein shows us what it’s like to be lonely and then accepted and then outcast and vilified in high school.

When I first started reading this book, I had a very difficult time getting from one chapter to the next because Amy was so heart-breaking. She’s shy and insecure and every bit of her self-worth is based upon how other people see her. She’s an avid smoker and, following her friends, tries to rebel against the normal life that haunts her. I had a really difficult time relating to Amy because I never got in trouble in high school (my parents were teachers so I steered clear of trouble!), and I loved high school and cheerleading and prom and all the other experiences it had to offer. With that said, I am glad I finished the book because it did get much better near the end, and I finally had some respect as Amy began to forget about the world and concentrate on herself.

Amy wasn’t the only character that caused high emotions with me¬¬—there were times I literally wanted to punch her parents (especially her mom) in the face. And then stomp away, only to return and hit them again! Being a parent, I tried to imagine myself in their situation—a child in trouble with the police for drugs; but even thinking about that, I was still angry with how her parents responded. I won’t say any more because I don’t want to spoil it, but let’s just say, high school isn’t the only obstacle with which poor Amy must learn to deal.

So…what did I enjoy about the book?

I love Amy’s sarcastic side—that’s the only part of her that is truly her at the beginning. She’s smug, smart, and misunderstood; and all of those characteristics come out in her sarcasm. For example, at one point Amy is talking about her mom, “For Chanukah last year she got me an itchy sweater and Chicken Soup for the Daughter’s Soul. The inscription read, FYI.” This is the part of Amy that I enjoyed, and as she grows throughout the novel, we see more and more of the true Amy.

I also really love Joe, Amy’s ex-best friend. We catch small glimpses of him throughout the novel, and although at times he comes off as a jerk, you can truly see that he has a good heart. He is the character that brought a smile to my face and kept me waiting for more! I do wish there would have been more of a romance in the novel because I’m a sucker for romance, and I think it would have given a slight break from the gut-wrenching torment that Amy went through day by day.

Overall, I think many readers will relate to Amy or will recognize a friend in her. It’s a truly honest depiction of the pains that loneliness and insecurity can create, and how, seeking attention, someone can act out in the worst ways. While this book wasn’t really for me, I do believe that it will gain a large number of fans who feel for her situation and who can learn from Amy’s road to realization.