8th Grade Book Blogs ツ by Corina Lopez Reyes

"Girl in Pieces" is a beautifully written yet heartbreaking story about a young girl who's lost more than many have in a lifetime and crawls out from her sorrows and lives by her overpowering will to survive. If anyone were to read this book, I'd suggest proceeding with caution. The reason why is because the book is very honest and therefore uses somewhat vulgar language and is also extremely dark. Topics such as self-harm, suicide, rape, drug abuse, and mental illness are involved. However, I found that the most intriguing about the book. This is mostly because I could relate to many of the topics and with the character herself.

Speaking of the main character, I should introduce her. Charlotte Davis is a seventeen-year-old, who tells her story in her personal perspective of living on the streets, attempting suicide and experiencing hospitalization (and so much more, if you look into reading the book!). Charlotte has truly gone through hell and back, losing her dad forever and her mom as well. Her dad deceased, her mother gave up on Charlotte and really had nothing left inside of her to give. No love, money, care, or a single sign that she's even present. Getting kicked out soon after, and scrounging for food on the streets. Not only this but finding friends to constantly get messed up with, wasting herself and not caring enough to fix herself, because she's in too many pieces.

"The outside of me is on fire and the inside of me is empty, empty. I can't cut, but I need something taken away from me, I need relief" (Page 47).

Despite all of her trauma, she finds a way to get a job and regain herself. Eventually, she'll learn to keep herself from her bad habits and become a better version of herself. That's the whole purpose of reading this book. It's reading through her journey. A ruthless battle between her and herself.

I believe that this novel falls under realistic fiction. I am often attracted to these kinds of books because they're not too far stretched and can really reach out to an audience. I've only read about 250 pages, and I look forward to finishing the rest and updating my opinion on another blog. The book is raw, yet encouraging and gives realistic situations, characters, and settings. If you enjoy reading these kinds of books as much as I do, then I would highly suggest you give "Girl in Pieces" by Kathleen Glasgow a try.

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