‘An ingenious way of suggesting that all of us contain multitudes . . . Sheinmel brilliantly dramatises the pupils’ attempts to create a system of morality for themselves, rather than simply accepting the one handed down by authority’ Financial Times
‘This is an immensely satisfying book from a skilled author’ The Irish Times
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‘He said we’d go to the same college, that we’d live in the same dorm, that we’d end up working in the same city after graduation. Doesn’t every girl dream that her boyfriend will love her like that?’
The girls at North Bay Academy are taking sides. It all started when Mike Parker’s girlfriend showed up with a bruise on her face. Or, more specifically, when she walked into the principal’s office and said Mike hit her. But the students have questions: Why did she go to the principal and not the police? Why did she stay so long if he was hurting her? Obviously, if it’s true, Mike should be expelled. But is it true? Some girls want to rally for his expulsion – and some want to rally around Mike. The only thing that the entire student body can agree on? Someone is lying. And the truth has to come out.
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‘Both timely and timeless, WHAT KIND OF GIRL is a powerful exploration of abuse in its many forms, as well as the strength it takes to rise up and speak your truth. Alyssa Sheinmel has crafted a compelling, moving, and empowering story of hope and courage – one that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page’ – Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be
‘This is an immensely satisfying book from a skilled author’ The Irish Times
——————————————————————-
‘He said we’d go to the same college, that we’d live in the same dorm, that we’d end up working in the same city after graduation. Doesn’t every girl dream that her boyfriend will love her like that?’
The girls at North Bay Academy are taking sides. It all started when Mike Parker’s girlfriend showed up with a bruise on her face. Or, more specifically, when she walked into the principal’s office and said Mike hit her. But the students have questions: Why did she go to the principal and not the police? Why did she stay so long if he was hurting her? Obviously, if it’s true, Mike should be expelled. But is it true? Some girls want to rally for his expulsion – and some want to rally around Mike. The only thing that the entire student body can agree on? Someone is lying. And the truth has to come out.
——————————————————————-
‘Both timely and timeless, WHAT KIND OF GIRL is a powerful exploration of abuse in its many forms, as well as the strength it takes to rise up and speak your truth. Alyssa Sheinmel has crafted a compelling, moving, and empowering story of hope and courage – one that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page’ – Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be
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Reviews
Alyssa Sheinmel played with narrative and reader expectations in her excellent 2019 novel A
Danger To Herself and Others, so it's no surprise that What Kind of Girl puts similar tricks in play. An ingenious way of suggesting that all of us contain multitudes of contradictory opinions, especially in cases of he-said, she-said. Sheinmel brilliantly dramatises the pupils' attempts to create a system of morality for themselves, rather than simply accepting the one handed down by authority.
Sheinmel's chapters provide labels - "the popular girl", "the bulimic", "the activist" - but in the style of The Breakfast Club, both reader and characters realise that people are far messier than just one detail, just one story. This is an immensely satisfying book from a skilled author.
A poignant, thought-provoking novel that will resonate deeply
Both timely and timeless, WHAT KIND OF GIRL is a powerful exploration of abuse in its many forms, as well as the strength it takes to rise up and speak your truth. Alyssa Sheinmel has crafted a compelling, moving, and empowering story of hope and courage - one that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page