AN AUTUMN 2006 BOOK SENSE PICK!
WHAT REVIEWERS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL TYPES ARE SAYING:
"...will leave readers with much to ponder."
— Publishers Weekly
"Fasten your seatbelts! Good Girls never lets up. Harrowing, honest, poignant, and wickedly funny, Laura Ruby's so-good novel comes out swinging, challenging the stereotypes of what it means to be "good" while exploring what it means to be true."
—Libba Bray, New York Times Bestselling author of A Great and Terrible Beauty
"This is a wowza of a great read--impossible to put down. It is sad and funny, bitter and life-affirming. It skewers society's attitudes toward teens and sex, raises questions about love and sex (must they always be combined?), and ponders the inequalities between genders when sex enters the picture. Audrey is a sympathetic, smart character and the reader can't help but empathize. The plot moves right along, serving up some unforeseen twists, with a couple of walloping surprises. This excellent story is realistic and unflinching. The publisher suggests it's suitable for Grade 9 and above. I give it my highest recommendation for mature teens."
—Terry Miller Shannon, YA Books Central
"This is a book girls will read over and over, dog-earing pages. Frank, fearless, and very funny, Laura Ruby explodes stereotypes."
—E. Lockhart, author of The Boyfriend List and Fly on the Wall
"Good Girls is Judy Blume's Forever for savvy and sophisticated 21st century readers. Writing in the fearless tradition of both Blume and the late Norma Klein, Ruby trusts her readers with the sometimes uncomfortable -- but essential -- truth about the sexual lives of today's teens and about how new technologies, which are such an omnipresent part of their lives, is turning what should be private encounters into public spectacles..."
—Michael Cart, author, and former YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) president
"This is a page turner that tells a powerful truth about girls and about our culture."
—Chris Crutcher, author of Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes and The Sledding Hill
"The dark side of the digital age is revealed in this cautionary tale...pertinent, provocative and mortifyingly dramatic...kids should take heart in Audrey's courage and comfort in the notion that life goes on, even after a horrific humiliation."
— Kirkus Reviews
"This is a book with heart and emotion, with true-to-life characters who don't preach or moralize, but who work hard at being the best type of people they can be. There are girls like Audrey, Ash, Joelle, Pam, and Cindy in every high school--just as there are boys like Luke and the insufferable Chilly. This is definitely a book for your keeper shelf." (Five stars).
—Jennifer Wardrip, Teensreadtoo.com
"Who decides who's a good girl and who isn't? Audrey will soon find out as she journeys from good girl, sad girl, angry girl, to finally, REAL GIRL. Laura Ruby's wonderfully nuanced book thoughtfully deconstructs the teenage mythology of good girls, bad boys, "sluts" and "players", providing readers with a clear understanding of the difference between following your heart and falling prey to your hormones."
—Jennifer Hubert, Reading Rants
"Ruby's eye-opening novel about gossip and going too far asks: What does it mean to be a slut and a good girl? A fantastic read..."
— Romantic Times
"Good Girls is a raw and powerful book that burrows its way into your head and heart from the first riveting chapter. Though the subject matter may spark controversy among teens and parents, Audreys struggle for dignity, self-respect, and love is every girls struggle. Clear-eyed and perfectly-pitched, this is an incredibly brave story, and Laura Ruby is a writer to watch."
—Lisa Tucker, the author of The Song Reader
"At last, a young adult novel that perfectly captures--without moralizing, sensationalizing or exploiting--the sweet ache of emerging desire. Good Girls sizzles with passion, insight, humor and wisdom. A stunning read."
—Rosemary Graham, author of Thou Shalt Not Dump the Skater-Dude and Other Commandments I Have Broken
"Good Girls is not just good. It's a brave, funny, and realistic love story about high school seniors and the assumptions they all make about each other. I gave it to my daughter Emme who gobbled it up then texted me saying, 'Amazing. Can't put it down. Don't read it.' So of course I read it--and I confess, I gobbled it up too."
—Carol Weston, author of For Girls Only and Girltalk
"Laura Ruby's Good Girls is a book that teenage girls won't want to miss. It's one of the best, most honest and real books for teenagers that I've read. It's original and definitely takes place in the world known by teenagers today (especially the part about cell phones being the means by which the story is spread). The plot never allows a dull moment, and some interesting twists and real surprises...There's also a slight mystery element: who took the picture of Audrey with Luke that changed her life?"
-- Jocelyn Pearce, Curledupkids.com
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:
I LOVED this book! The description "frequently sexy yet never exploitative" is right on. It felt like such a real book, like something that really could happen today...and Audrey is immensely likable, as are all her friends, and Luke. I think it's a perfect read for teen girls who are trying to figure out all these questions for the first time. It's like this generation's version of FOREVER, only better! I can't wait to see what Laura Ruby writes next!
--Tamara (New York, NY)
This is a novel that will resonate with any girl in high school, whether she is "good" or not. What happens to Audrey is truly a nightmare, and the way in which she handles it throughout the year can teach girls everywhere that there are ways to deal with hateful peers, an "ex," so to speak, parents, and even friends who disappoint. In the process, you can discover your inner strength, take the opportunity to reinvent yourself, and even make friends with those who used to be enemies. Thanks for a good read that kept me turning the pages for hours.
--Judy (Owensboro, KY)
Much different from what Laura Ruby usually writes I was pleasantly surprised at this realistic portrayal of the ups and downs of relationships and the biting circumstances of jealousy and misperceptions. Although some content was edgy at times, her handling of teen sexuality was never too explicit. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to older readers.
--Laura (Ann Arbor, MI)
Good Girls was an excellent read! It was so entertaining that I spent three hours on a Sunday afternoon and read through the whole book. It kept me turning pages, which a good book does, by capitalizing on a situation so horrible that I cringed every time I read on. Yet I couldn't put the book down. Great job!
--Brittany (Oceanside, CA)
The novel Good Girls by Laura Ruby tells the story of a 16 year old girl named Audrey who has to face the challenges that come with growing up. The author paints a detailed picture of what life is like for the typical high school student today, which includes drama, rumors, friends, enemies, success, failure, love and betrayal. A lesson girls can learn from this novel is too stick together, stand up for each other, and to keep fighting to make your dreams come true. The book is written beautifully and is very enjoyable because in one way or another every girl can relate to Audrey or the other characters in the story. I loved the novel and I definitely recommend it. The novel is more suited for a female audience, but I think guys can certainly enjoy it as well.
--Mirela (Atlantic Highlands, NJ)
Good Girls was an amazing novel. It was raw, eye-opening, and entirely true to teenagers today. At first glance, I thought Good Girls would be something silly and far-fetched. Was I ever wrong! The relationships between the characters are spot on; from the friendships to more-than-friendships. While the ending might not be what typically happens in reality, it still leaves you hoping for the best.
--Olivia (Claridge, PA)
Shamefuly realistic, Good Girls is full of honesty, bravery, and determination. It shows what we all do, lie and cheat, love and hate, and for better or worse we all go on. We never truly forget, but we all recover. We all seek the future in friendship.
--Misti (Mandeville, LA)