There's a set of unspoken guidelines—the rules for being a girl—that Marin has always been good at navigating. She's an exceptional student and editor of her school's paper. Her dream is to go to Brown University.
Marin and her best friend, Chloe, are quite captivated with their young and charismatic English teacher, Mr. Beckett. And "Bex" seems to have taken an interest in Marin. He admires her writing and is always eager to chat about books with her.
After school one day, Bex offers Marin a ride. On the way, he offers to stop by his place to pick up the book he's been meaning to lend her yet keeps forgetting to bring to class. But then Bex takes things too far. Marin is hurt, shocked, and like most women, is quick to blame herself—did she lead him on?
Finally bolstering up the courage, Marin reports what happened to the school administration, but they don't believe her, and neither does Chloe. Now she's forced to see Mr. Beckett everyday in class and he's making her life miserable. But Marin isn't having it—she fights back with the help of her new allies from the feminist book club she started, and writes a piece in the school paper.
Now she's making her own rules.
What an opportune and and thought-provoking read. I can certainly relate to "the rules for being a girl" and like all women, have experienced many of them first hand. Quite simply, it's heartbreaking. It is also upsetting to think about how far we still have to go. This book just barely scratches the surface, but the attempt isn't for naught. Given that this is an issues-based book, it really could have gone either way. But Bushnell and Contugno deftly handle the topic of assault (that is also a gross abuse of power).
There are also some other really solid elements in the story—the connections Marin made and the feminist book club with its great recommendations. And there are also parts that are uncomfortable. Unfortunately, these are the realities for many women and girls.
Although a quick and easy read, Rules for Being a Girl packs a huge punch. Don't let the pretty cover and the fact that it is a YA book fool you. This is timely, topical, and exactly what we need more of.
BUY NOW
CANDACE BUSHNELL is the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Carrie Diaries, Sex and the City, Is There Still Sex in the City?, Lipstick Jungle, One Fifth Avenue, 4 Blondes, Trading Up, and Summer and the City, which have sold millions of copies.
Bushnell lives in New York City and Sag Harbor.
KATIE COTUGNO is the New York Times bestselling author of Top Ten, 99 Days, 9 Days and 9 Nights, Fireworks, and How to Love. She studied writing, literature, and publishing at Emerson College and received her MFA in fiction at Lesley University.
Cotugno lives in Boston.
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