"Big Girl Small"

Well, this certainly was different. Before I review this book I'd like to share a little secret about my methodology for discovering new books. I've been doing this since I was 10 or 11 years old. I go to the Fiction section of the Public Library. Then I start with the "A" authors and examine several books. I check out the cover art, read the jacket, and sometimes sample a sentence or two. Then I check out five books at a time. I give each book 50 pages. If it doesn't grab me I move on to the next book. I do this until I finish the "Z" authors. Then I start back at the beginning. And I have to admit, I've happened across some amazing books. I've also been saddled with a lot of stinkers as well. Anyway, on to my review...

Big Girl Small is an interesting read. It's told through the eyes of Judy, a 17-year old little person. I.E. what we used to refer to as a dwarf or midget. She's from a normal family and has two brothers. The story takes place in Ann Arbor and since I've spent a fair amount of time there, it made for a fun read. She's'just starting in a new high school, which is an arts school, for highly creative kids. The begins with her holed up in a seedy motel, hiding out for reasons that will become clear later in the book. It then jumps back in time a few months. She's a Junior and has a crush on a handsome Senior.  One day he offers her a ride home and the end up back at his house. Neither of his parents are home, and one thing leads to another. Things get steamy, but does he really like her or is he just taking advantage of her. 

Things unravel at this point and we learn why she's hiding out in the motel. The narrator is very intelligent, sensitive, and insightful. She's someone you'd like to have as a friend. I really enjoy books that are told from a perspective I'm not familiar with. And after reading this book, I'll be looking for more books by this talented author.