Rules for Being a Girl

By: Candace Bushnell, Katie Cotugno

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Candace Bushnell, the number one New York Times best-selling author of Sex and the City, and Katie Cotugno, New York Times best-selling author of 99 Days, team up to write a fierce, propulsive novel about a girl who is preyed upon by a manipulative teacher and finds the power to fight back. Perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Laurie Halse Anderson.

It starts before you can even remember: You learn the rules for being a girl....

Marin has always been good at navigating these unspoken guidelines. A star student and editor of the school paper, she dreams of getting into Brown University. Marin’s future seems bright - and her young, charismatic English teacher, Mr. Beckett, is always quick to admire her writing and talk books with her.

But when “Bex” takes things too far and comes on to Marin, she’s shocked and horrified. Had she somehow led him on? Was it her fault?

When Marin works up the courage to tell the administration what happened, no one believes her. She’s forced to face Bex in class every day. Except now, he has an ax to grind.

But Marin isn’t about to back down. She uses the school newspaper to fight back, and she starts a feminist book club at school. She finds allies - and even romance - in the most unexpected people, like Gray Kendall, who she’d always dismissed as just another lacrosse bro.

As things heat up at school and in her personal life, Marin must figure out how to take back the power and write her own rules.

©2020 Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno (P)2020 Balzer + Bray

Tough topic

I hate that this topic is a thing, but unfortunately it is. Well written. Strong characters and one of my favorite narrators. She always does an excellent job.

Wonderful

I don’t know any women that don’t know the “rules” or who don’t have some variation of this story in their own experiences. Expertly narrated and very well written.

Excellent story

Really enjoyed this! A wee slow start then bam excellent story!
Speak up and be heard

'Rules for an Excellent YA Book'

This story is really well written by the authors and remarkably narrated by Julia Whelan who's one of my absolute fav narrators.

She's a great narrator and the perfect combination of a very good story and her interpretation with her talented narration made this book and this story just perfect!

I recommend reading this book 100% !

oh my, so true

This story so hit home to me. Though set in current times, as a female growing up in the 50's and a retired high school teacher I can vouch for how true this young teen's situation was in my time. I do hope things have changed but as far as the book's story: so well written!! Kudos to the authors.

Heavy handed, but good

When Marin’s favorite teacher kisses her, she struggles whether to stay quiet or turn him in. Telling her principal doesn’t go as expected, resulting in Marin treated as the perp, and her teacher the victim.

RULES FOR BEING A GIRL is a compulsively readable story that never lets you forget its a Big Issue Book. I adored Marin, smart, strong and with good sense. Though victimized, she was never a victim. She doesn’t want others fighting her battles.

RULES FOR BEING A GIRL is more realistic than most books on sexual harassment and abuse because it shows the backlash survivors sometimes receive after coming forward, not just bullying, but consequences that impact the future. We all want to believe that reporting will lead to the perpetrator suffering appropriate consequences, but in the real world sometimes victims suffer more. Like Marin, that’s also my story.

I would have rated RULES FOR BEING A GIRL five stars if not for the heavy handed feminism lessons. Although I agree with and loved the message, I wish it had been given more subtly so that it flowed better than the story. Instead I felt like the book was saying “we interrupt this story to bring you an important message about feminism.”

RULES FOR BEING A GIRL is an important book about doing the right thing, even when it doesn’t turn out perfectly.

Coming of age story

At first I wanted to stop reading when I realized the main character was a high school girl but kept going anyway. Great story & one all young girls should read.

THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!

I read this whole book in one sitting. All the plot twists kept me wanting to keep reading. This would be a very good book for people struggle to get into books....Candace Bushnell & Katie Cotugno good job.

How girls and women betray each other, and perhaps a model for not doing so.

I loved the arc of the story — where characters grew and of course, those who didn’t.

Only okay

This was a really cool idea and it could have really said something but sadly it was just very shallow.