Unbecoming by Jenny Downham

Unbecoming is a YA fiction novel by Jenny Downham. It was on Publishers Weekly's list of top YA books for 2016. Spanning three generations, Unbecoming tells the story of Katie, a high school girl quietly exploring her sexual identity. Her grandmother, Mary, suddenly appears on the scene, afflicted with dementia and unable to recall important memories. The two become close, with Katie's mother stuck in the middle.

Sex: It's mentioned pretty frequently in this book. Mary speaks a lot about her different boyfriends and lovers growing up. She also got pregnant with Katie's mother when she was a teenager. Katie herself is struggling with her sexuality. She tries to have a relationship with a boy she meets at a party, but in the end decides that she's attracted to girls. She has a few detailed discussions with a girl from her school who is gay.

Language: Mild to moderate.

Drug/Alcohol Use: Mary often smokes. Katie gets drunk at a party.

Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Mary moves in with Katie's family because her boyfriend has died. There are also several disturbing bullying scenes. Mary's sister Pat suffered from depression and committed suicide.

Final Note: This book wasn't my favorite, but there were a few positive things I found. One, Jenny Downham is a beautiful writer. I loved how the story slowly unfurled with the use of flashbacks. The reader finds out things as Mary remembers them. Also, I really enjoyed that Katie and her mother and grandmother finally found a way to communicate and grow close as the story ended.

Comments

My 2020 5 Star Reads

I'm a few days late, but here it is! My top books from 2020! Because of quarantine, I was able to finish 321 books - 83,718 pages. I decided to organize my favorites by genres so they are easier to pick out for those who care! 😊 Middle Grade: -All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker -New Kid AND Class Act by Jerry Craft (graphic novels - 1st two books in the same series) -Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina -A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee -To Be a Slave by Julius Lester (Nonfiction) -Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds -Mistakes Were Made and We Meet Again by Stephan Pastis (Timmy Failure series) -Guitar Notes by Mary Amato -The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden -The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon -Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus AND Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (1st two books) -The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones by Daven McQUeen (Historical fiction) -My Year in the Midd...

The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein

Purchase this book on Amazon here! The Pearl Thief is a YA historical fiction novel by Elizabeth Wein. The prequel to Code Name Verity , this book gives readers a look into Julie's life. When she was fifteen years old, Julie spent her summer saying goodbye to her grandfather's estate. While there, Julie is attacked but cannot remember the circumstances surrounding the incident. A family employee is also missing and no one can find him. Julie makes it her mission to find out what really happened and to help the Scottish Traveller family she has befriended. Sex: There are no explicit scenes, but Julie explores her sexuality, with both an older man and a female friend. Both scenes just involve kissing, but the details are pretty sensual. A man is naked when searching in the water. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Some drinking and smoking. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are suspected deaths and Julie is attacked. There are a couple of f...

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

Purchase this book on Amazon here! Waiting for Normal is a middle grade fiction novel by Leslie Connor. It is a School Library Journal Best Book, an ALA Notable Children's Book, and the recipient of many other young literature awards. Addie has waited her entire life for normal. But she never knows what she's going to get when it comes to her mother. Her mom is either all in and fully present, or long gone and completely absent. Addie's mother is bipolar. Sex: No sex. Addie doesn't know who her father is, but she's close to her stepfather. Her mom is often out late for business dinners with men. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Addie is frequently neglected by her mother. There are a few intense scenes but it's nothing inappropriate for middle grade readers. Final Note: This book has been on my list for awhile and I just now got around to reading it. I'm glad I did! Again, I truly bel...

The Rapid Reader

Search This Blog