What Girls are Made of

Alright, let me just say this 2017 National Book Award Finalist in Young People’s Literature was not the bomb.com, but undeniably intense and worthy of contemplation. Nina was just 14 years-old when her mom declared “there was no such thing as unconditional love”. Even her own mother could stop loving her at any time. What Girls Are Made Of left me thinking long and hard about how deeply a word from a parent can influence, wound and set us on self-destructing paths. Fast forward to 16 year-old Nina and you find her obsessed with giving sex to keep her man and nurturing herself through selfless acts of care and compassion to the dogs she serves at an animal shelter. After reflecting on an unkind thing she did to a classmate the year before you see Nina take humbling steps toward redemption and apology. Deeply flawed, (as we all are) I liked seeing Nina as a strong young woman developing the unshakable backbone of love for herself. Best part: picturing the hike in California on the Bridge to Nowhere.