The Cheer Leader

When I firsted to read this book, i expected it to be a pretty average book. It was required for my fiction class. But as the book progresses, I started to relate to it. I am Jo. I attend the same school and walked the same sidewalks. I too was going through heavy emotional trauma, but refused to acknowledge it. Who would be the all American girl could have problems? After reading this book, especially the third section, I searched within myself and sought counesling. Only a truly gifted writer could envoke the emotions and feelings I was keeping buried within myself. This book hits home on so many different levels. I don't know if I am ready to reread just yet, but I do plan on reading it again, it defiently deserves it.

I found this book at my local used book store. I was a little hesitant to buy it because I was afraid it would your typical teenage agnst story. But for only four dollars, what was there to lose? I was in for a surprise and a real treat! This book not only captures the teenage insecurities that most of us have felt, or are feeling, but it also captures that nervous, excited, almost panicked feeling a lot of us get after graduating high school, and moving on into the "real" world. The book was unique in many many ways. The first third of the book was the main character describing a history of her life by describing pictures she had found, and giving a short story for each one. The second section, told from her point of view, gave the reader insight into her high school life, dealing with peer pressure, school, and dating. In the third part of the book, she begins college, and also begins to spiral out of control, and the books tone shows this. This section is told in third person, as if she is going through so much, that she feels she is watching herself from the outside. I was very impressed with the writing style and the story line. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I first came across this book, and saw it's cover- a beautiful butterfly- for some reason i wanted to read it, i received it for free at my church's rummage sale. When i finally got around to reading it, i was gripped by the creativity that the novel first introduced, relating a small story and emotions to a picture. As Jo Spencer developed into a character instead of a voice narrating the pictures I was hooked. As the book progressed I could feel so connected to the book, it is so realistic. In the 3rd section I noticed the perspective changed from 1st person to 3rd- this was a rather scary idea, that Jo Spencer, a girl who had been so 'normal' could change in so many ways- there are many reasons which amount to these changes and after reading it over many times I could see some foreshadowing. I am currently reading it for the fifth time, and I still find myself unable to put it down. It may be a creepy story, but it is touching/gripping in a way that can not be described. When I first read it at 14 i was introduced to such a different perspective. I was in starting 8th grade at a Jr. High where i was comfortable- this year I began my freshman year of high school and i found it to be a big step, when i read this book I could relate to some of my fears of change to those that Jo experienced- the change from a comforting place to a different place. I highly recommend this book simply because it is one of my absolute favorites that i can always think and relate back to.

I received this book when I was going through an emotional depression. It was realistic, believable, interesting, gripping and has stayed with me for two years. Like all of McCorkle's books, a masterpiece.

This is my favorite book. i think it is extremely well-written and the plot is just intriguing. jo spencer is such a complex, yet realistic character, and i think everyone can relate to her. at first it seems as if this book could be potentially of little substance or about trivial matters, but i assure you it is not. it is just good--mostly because jo spencer is such a real, wonderful character.