Like Other Girls

Description

Here's what sixteen-year-old Lauren knows: she's not like other girls. She also knows it's problematic to say that - what's wrong with girls? She's even fancied some in the past - but if you were stuck in St Agnes's, her posh all-girls school in Ireland, you'd feel like that too. Here everyone's expected to be Perfect Young Ladies - it's even a song in the painfully-cheesy and sexist musical they're putting on this year, directed by Lauren's arch-nemesis. Under it all though, Lauren's heart is bruised. Her boyfriend thinks she's crazy and her best friend has issues of her own... so when Lauren realises she's facing every teenage girls worst nightmare, she has nowhere to turn. Maybe she should just give in to everything. Be like other girls. That's all so much easier... right? Then Lauren discovers she's pregnant - the most girlish thing of all. So what kind of girl is she, if she's not even thinking about keeping the baby or even giving it up for adoption? What kind of girl is she to sneak out of the country so she can have an abortion abroad, lying to her parents and friends? What kind of girl is she to feel angry - rather than guilty - about it all? Claire Hennessy's second novel is a wryly funny, completely gripping look at sexuality, identity and growing up - all with Claire's trademark wit, intelligence and insight.

Claire Hennessy is a writer, editor, and creative writing teacher based in Dublin, Ireland. Born in 1986, she has written several books for teenagers and regularly does author visits and writing workshops for schools, libraries and festivals. Claire is also a co-director and co-founder of the Big Smoke Writing Factory creative writing school in Dublin, teaches regularly for CTYI, and is the Puffin Ireland editor at Penguin. She is also the co-editor and co-founder of the literary journal Banshee. Follow Claire at www.clairehennessy.com or on Twitter: @clairehennessy

For wit and pop culture it was spot on, and its handling of issues of access for Irish women to abortion services was absolutely heartbreaking (in a good and important way). * Much Ado About Books * It's MAGNIFICENT. It all-but quivers with righteous anger. I recommend highly. Every Irish law-maker should be mandated to read this. * Marian Keyes * Like Other Girls is an authentic read and you can really feel that the author cared about the issues within. The passion flows from the pages. I hope this book finds it's way into the hands of every Irish teenager. * Go Book Yourself * Hennessy's books are always packed with strong female characters This book had absolutely stellar parts. For wit and pop culture it was spot on, and its handling of issues of access for Irish women to abortion services was absolutely heartbreaking. * Much Ado About Books * Like Other Girls tackles a number of very sensitive topics without falling into that dangerous trap of becoming an issue novel, without moralising or preaching, and without demonising its protagonist or giving her an unrealistic 'happily-ever-after' type ending. It is also a funny book, filled with pop culture and musical references, and with a strong, snarky voice at its centre. It also has a fantastic cover - it's a label! for a book about labels! - designed by Leo Nickolls. To sum up - Like Other Girls is a fierce, feminist book that while not an easy read, is an important one. We need stories like Lauren's, and we need to repeal the eighth amendment. * The Books, The Art and Me * Claire Hennessy deals with some weighty subjects - teen pregnancy, abortion, gender identity - but manages to balance the darkness with wit and humour, no mean feat. Not always an easy read, but an important one. * Irish Independent * It's a pacey journey through the confusions of youth, but also an attack on the eighth amendment. * Sunday Times * Definitely one of the best books I've read this year. Witty, original, dark at times, addicting, important and quite simply exceptional. * The Royal Bookshelf * Shocking and honest. A no holds barred look at teenage sexuality and Irish culture. It's such a rare gem of a story. Well written, funny in places, heartbreaking in others, this is a magnificent book ... This is one of those rare all inclusive books that society should read to gain more understanding of something other to make us more accepting Ultimately for me, this is a book about accepting each other for who we all are and finding your path. It's hard to read because it is so unflinchingly direct about a lot of things society just doesn't talk about. I'm hoping this book, as well as being a superb read, will inch that door open just a little wider. * The Book Bag * A passionate, authentic, tough read but very important nonetheless * Independent.ie * A gripping and challenging novel * Armadillo Magazine * I was impressed with the writing style (and I learned a fair bit too)... a conversation starter for young women. * Woman's Way * It is difficult to imagine a more difficult authorial task than constructing a school story that also confronts issues such as sexual identity, moral law, transgender issues and parental responsibility. Yet somehow Hennessy has succeeded. High school librarians please take note. * Books for Keeps * Topical, relevant and captivating, this is an unflinching examination of gender politics and identity, relentless in its exploration of femininity * INIS Reading Guide *