Margaux with an X

This book really surprised me. I read it somewhat out of desperation for a short novel that I could get through quickly. However, it turned out to be a pretty awesome read. In a world where Margaux stands above everyone around her in looks, it seems she has quite a long way to come in terms of emotional stability. Her brain is racked with bad memories by which she becomes jaded and wary of life. What saves her is the friendship of a boys who acts as her equal, her friend rather than the royal treatment she's used to getting from other people. Through this down to earth relationship she learns to break out of her "pretty girl" mold and become the strong, independent person she's always longed to be.

The part of this novel that stood out the most to me is the strong sense of language that Koertge uses. She has instilled in Margaux a love of English and through that outlet comes a flood of wordplay and witty commentary. She exhibits a desire to discover new words and manipulate language to suit her needs. Besides the fact that this educational value sets her apart from her peer beauties, it also adds a real literary element to the novel. I enjoyed relating to a girl who I would have otherwise hated through her use of interesting words.

This book is also just morally refreshing. It has a protagonist that I haven't seen before, a kind of honesty and wit that allows her to have these serious problems without being a huge downer to the reader. She ends up being strong and admirable although she starts out seeming like that girl we all loved to hate back in High School. I was told that I would like this book because the main character is kind of a "bitch." And- I have to agree. Real people have attitudes and I love discovering new characters with unique attitudes that don't fit into any other literary mold.

I would definitely teach this book. It fits with others like Speak and Perks and could be really interesting for Young Adults to experience.