About This Book
Reach for this book when you sense your teenager is feeling overlooked or if you are worried that your own professional or social commitments are creating a distance in your relationship. While the title is intentionally provocative, the story is actually a poignant and often humorous look at a girl named Dinky who uses shocking behavior to get the attention of her mother, a woman so devoted to rehabilitating drug addicts that she fails to see her own daughter's quiet struggle with binge eating and loneliness. Appropriate for ages 12 and up, this classic young adult novel explores the messy reality of family life where the parents are not 'villains' but are simply preoccupied. It provides a safe space to discuss how we communicate our needs and the importance of being truly 'seen' by those we love. It is an excellent choice for sparking conversations about body image, parental expectations, and the difference between helping the world and helping your own family.
