What Girls Are Made Of

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Andersen - Westbrook High School, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 18, 2017

Review

At the young age of fourteen, Nina’s mother tells her that all love is conditional, particularly the love of a man. From this conversation Nina believes that a man’s love is determined by her beauty, her willingness to have sex, and anything else the man decides will make her worthy. Nina’s mother also mentions that her love for her daughter is conditional, but does not explain those conditions. When Nina does become sexually active, she handles it without her mother’s help, since Nina worries that her sexuality may violate her mother’s conditions of love. Nina’s soon enters into her first serious relationship with Seth. He calls all the shots and leaves Nina when she does not prove to be as fun and adventurous as he would like. After their break up, Nina must confront her pregnancy without the help of her mother. Arnold explores female sexuality and coming of age honestly. Birth control and abortion options are explicit and informative. Scenes that describe sex and masturbation are detailed and sometimes uncomfortable, but not gratuitous. This is a mature and thought-provoking book that explores important issues.

Overall Book Score: very good