Book Review

Big Mouth & Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates is a fictional book about how two teenagers deal with different problems at high school that bring them together. My favorite thing about this book was how it captured everyday problems that are dealt with by many people. Joyce Carol Oates used much detail to capture what the characters were thinking and feeling. The reader was able to feel connected to the character and relate.

One of the main characters, Ursula Riggs has been called ugly for a while. Many girls struggle with their body image; however, Ursula did not care what others thought. Ursula was a good example to all girls that they should be confident with who they are. Matt Donaghy is a good kid who tries to make people laugh. He does and says silly things to make people laugh and to be liked. In high school everybody wants to be liked. Matt Donaghy’s “joke” brings him trouble and turns people against him. Ursula and Matt, both misfits, go on a crazy journey together. Although the book is slow at first, it ends up leaving you at the edge of your seat.

I also love the character development over the course of the story, as well as the story itself. It was interesting to see the characters grow and start to create an unexpected friendship. The story also grew as the kids tried to figure out their problems. Some parts of the book were like a mystery. The police were not doing anything to solve the problems so the kids took matters into their own hands. The mystery factor was what leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. This book is a perfect mix of mystery, drama, and romance. It is a great easy read for any high schooler.