Paint Me a Monster

Reviewed by: Bernie Alie - Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 24, 2014

Review

An absorbing story relevant to many teens. We are pulled right into the first person account as three year old Rinnie becomes aware of the world around her, her fascination with the TV dog Rin Tin & subsequent naming of herself, & her discovery of her baby brother. Her child-like self-absorption is authentically portrayed. As she grows, & her parents' marriage dissolves, she finds herself replaced in her father's life by his new wife & stepfamily, & she internalizes the emotional abuse her mother heaps on her. The only love in her life comes from her older sister & the family housekeeper. Food becomes the punishment that Rinnie doles out to herself, severely limiting her intake & priding herself on her thin body. A teacher takes an interest, & with eventual help from the school counselor, Rinnie begins to find her own self-worth. Although her insights revealed at the story's end are advanced for her years, teens may find them helpful in their own lives. Well written and compelling, Rinnie's story will offer another viewpoint for teens struggling to understand their families.

Overall Book Score: excellent