The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend

The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger (NY: Little, Brown, 2011).

Bianca Piper hates Wesley Rush. Yes, he's hot, but he's a total player who's constantly hitting on every girl at school. Plus, he told her she's a DUFF, and now he keeps calling her Duff or Duffy. Bianca knows she's not as pretty as her friends, and she's a bit overweight, but she doesn't need the constant reminders. But when things go south at home, Bianca needs a distraction and Wesley is happy to step in.

Keplinger's novel delves into the brutal world of teen insecurities and body image. Bianca is like many teen-aged girls and has doubts about her appearance, constantly comparing herself to her friends and classmates. Her self-esteem suffers a further hit when her mom and dad divorce and her dad starts drinking. Hooking up with Wesley takes her mind off her troubles, but also adds to them as she feels compelled to hide her actions from her friends, just as she's hiding her family situation. I enjoyed the way the story not only played on Bianca's insecurities but also showed that everyone has the same doubts, including the wealthy and popular crowd. The novel likewise demonstrates the hurtful power of words and labels. Highly recommended for ages 14 and up. Sexual situations, alcohol, language.

Teen Sexuality

Giving up the V by Serena Robar (NY: Simon Pulse, 2009).

Spencer Davis's sixteenth birthday means a mom-sponsored trip to the GYNE to get birth control pills. Yikes! Sure, Spencer is interested in sex, but not until she meets the right guy, and that seems unlikely to happen. She's happy with her group of friends and her virgin status. Then a new boy moves into town, and Spencer is tempted. Read what happens in this funny page-turner that taps into teen concerns.

Sprout

Sprout by Dale Peck (NY: Bloomsbury, 2009).

Transplanted from Long Island to middle-of-nowhere Kansas, Daniel Bradford has plenty of issues to deal with--his dad's alcoholism, his mom's recent death from cancer, his new kid status, and his own eccentricities--like constant reading of the dictionary. So dyeing his hair green isn't a huge deal, nor gaining the attendant nickname of "Sprout." Really, he doesn't mind it. Some things are a bigger deal though--like being gay, but not out, in a small town high school. And then finding, and losing, love. Sprout relies on his trenchant humor and fondness for word play and writing to cope and leaves a steadfast record in the process.

This is an excellent read for high school and up. Language and sexual situations.