Pretty Like Us

Carol Lynch Williams understands the nature of children. She has written some wonderful books, this one I feel, is the most under-rated. I do not read to merely read. I want to experience humanity and walk away feeling like the time devoted to the book was time well spent. The greatest compliment I can give this book is to say that immediately after finishing it I handed it to my 12 year old daughter and said, "you have to read this." This story is wonderful, human, and matriarchal in the best sense. Her characters are strong, the setting is clear and palpable. When you're finished, you feel like you just indulged in a most delicious vocabulary dessert. This book should be in everyone's personal library.

Pretty Like Us is the story of two girls--Beauty McElwrath and Alane Shriver. Beauty, a painfully shy sixth-grader, lives in a small town in Florida with her mother and grandmother, both strong-minded single women. Beauty wants to come out of her shell and make friends, but her efforts have always resulted in teasing from the other kids at school. The fact that her mother is dating her teacher doesn't help matters at all, and Beauty is certain she is destined to always be a social outcast. Then Alane moves into town. Before the girl even arrives in class, Beauty's teacher has asked the students to be kind to the new girl who suffers from a rare disease known as progreria, an aging disease. When Beauty first sees Alane, she thinks there has been a mistake. Surely this is Alane's grandmother, not the girl herself. No one in sixth grade could look that old. But it is Alane, and she sits right next to Beauty. Just what Beauty thinks she doesn't need to help her get over her shyness and absence of friends, until she starts to discover that beauty of often more than skin deep, and true friendship sometimes comes in odd packages. This is truly a must read book for girls. Those who are shy will relate to Beauty, just as those who see themselves as different will relate to both girls. All girls have felt concern over being accepted at some time in their life, and Beauty and Alane's story will not only let them see themselves, but will also give them lots of laughs along the way.

Beauty's voice is authentic, she's a memorable protagonist and the story of her friendship with Alane leaves a likewise lasting impression. Unsentimental yet deeply moving, strongly recommended.