Senior year of high school is time for many things: making those last great strides on your college applications, getting good grades and being more involved in the right kind of activities, at least according to Natalie Sterling. Of course, more students are like her best friend Autumn, who want to remember all the great parts about high school, while having fun with friends at things like parties, football games and dances.
Natalie is all ready for a great senior year, when two people start to disrupt it: confident freshmen Spencer Biddle and cute senior football player Connor Hughes. Spencer is everything that Natalie thinks girls shouldn't be, but she owns it, confusing Natalie. Connor could have any girl in school, but he wants Natalie, and Natalie isn't sure he is worth the risk to her reputation.
It has always been clear to Natalie that girls get judged for acting a certain way, even if guys get high fives from their teammates for the same behavior. Natalie never wanted to be THAT kind of girl, but that raises the question, what kind of girl does she want to be?
Don't think this is your average girl meets boy and starts to change story. Author Siobhan Vivian captures Natalie's struggle of being true to herself, while still exploring things such as sexuality, feminism and growing up. The relationships between Natalie and Autumn as well as Sterling show the different way girls can support each other and tear each other down even within friendships.
Not that Kind of Girl is a smart look at high school, and a lot more than just your average teen chick-lit. This should be recommended reading for all high school students for the way it looks at the relationships between boys and girls, girls and girls, and even guys and guys and the way those relationships can shape reputations.
I'll see you @ the library!
Katie (Now reading Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John)