Story of a Girl

Story of a Girl
 by Sara Zarr

Bibliography

Zarr, S. (2007). Story of a girl. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Comapnay. ISBN 036014532

Summary

Deanna Lambert had sex at age 13, was caught by her father, and has been defined by that moment ever since. Story of a Girl  begins at the end of Deanna's sophomore year in high school.  High school - where she is considered a slut - has had unpleasant moments, but Deanna does have two friends.  We travel with Deanna through this redemptive story as she comes to terms with people in her life who have wronged her and who she has wronged, and finally finds herself.  There are no flashy happy endings, only reality.

Critical Analysis

When reading this novel, I felt like I was Deanna.  The powerful and realistic characterization allows the reader to experience situations they never (or may) have lived. Story of a Girl feels like it is set in Anytown, America, a place where events like this are completely believable and probably really happen.  The plot and theme are not only appealing, but genuine. You will be left asking yourself,  "Did I know Deanna, was I friends with her, or mean to her?"

Sara Zarr's style carries this novel.  She writes straightforwardly in the first-person, adding to that feeling of being a part of the story.  She winds up the story with no magically happy endings, but with the sense that Deanna is learning, growing, and that she is going to be okay.

Review Excerpts

*A heartfelt, realistic novel about being defined by one moment, one choice, and then having to reinvent who you are....An evocative, thoughtful read from a debut author to watch.  -- Cynthia Leitich Smith

*This is realistic fiction at its best. Zarr's storytelling is excellent. --School Library Journal


Connections

* Expert from Story of a Girl

I was thirteen when my dad caught me with Tommy Webber in the back of Tommy's Buick, parked next to the old Chart House down in Montara at eleven o'clock in a Tuesday night. Tommy was seventeen and the supposed friend of my brother, Darren.

I didn't love him.

I'm not sure I even liked him.


* Want more Sara Zarr? Visit her Amazon page where you can find Story of a Girl on audio read by the author (pictured above).

* Want even more Sara?  Visit her website where she discusses banned books.