Ophelia Speaks : Adolescent Girls Write About Their Search for Self

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Summary: AN AWESOME BOOK!!! A must read for adolescent girls!!!
Review: I love this book! Sara Shandler did an amazing job! As a teenager myself I can totally relate to every girl in the book! I read Reviving Opelia when I was 12 and I already knew girls (ophelias) with the same situations as in the book, in my 7th grade class! I think every girl 12+ should read both Reviving Ophelia and Ophelia Speaks...This is also a must read for Parents of Adolescent girls! I suggest reading Reviving Ophelia first though, because you would then get a feeling of what Sara Schandler is talking about...Overall I would like to say, thanks to Sara Schandler, for letting me know, I am not the only one out there, with these problems!

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Summary: Deeply Impressionistic, lyrically beautiful
Review: When I first laid eyes on "Ophelia Speaks" I knew it was going to be a purchase for me. Reading it put me in a trance of not being alone and seemed to give more validation to all of my own experiences as an adolescent girl. Now at 18, I feel confident that the voices in that book are only voices to me now, but satisfied that they have not been forgotten. I strongly urge any girl to read this book, it will change something in your life. My personal favorite story was written in the "Intoxication" chapter by a young girl named Corrie I think, her title is in Dutch anyway and it is such a well told and heart gripping story. Sara Shandler has done an amazing thing in being so determined to get this book done, my only wish is that I could have somehow been a part of it. At any rate it's a beautiful book, and a well done work for Sara!

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Summary: Honestly Addresses Issues in the Lives of Teens Today
Review: I am an eighteen year old from West Virginia. Life is pretty quiet here, so when I found out my short story, Cute Memory, was going to be published I was thrilled. I must confess that when I picked up Ophelia Speaks, it was more to see my story in print than read the book. But once I started to read I realized how truthful this book was. It addresses serious issues, but also includes the feelings of girls who don't suffer from eating disorders but do feel badly about their bodies. I think it is a wonderful book. Kudos to Sara Shandler for making it happen.

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Summary: A great book for teenagers!
Review: I recenty purchased Ophelia Speaks, and once I opened it, I couldn't let it down. It's a collection of letters, poems, and stories from adolecents across the nation. These entries will make your heart, mind, and body stop because they're so exciting/sad.

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Summary: Ophelia Speaks for all ears
Review: Ophelia Speaks is not only a voice for young women, but one for young people, and everyone connected to them as well. The desire to see what goes on in a teenager's mind has become increasingly popular, judging by the titles and headlines that line store shelves. This book actually gives us just that, word-for-word. This insightful and clear, honest writing allows us to open our hearts and our minds to those around us, so we may gain a better understanding of how we live, and who we are. Ophelia Speaks handed me a laugh, it gave me teary cheeks, and it spoke of a world I did not fully recognize before-hand.

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Summary: Brilliant and Insightful
Review: I read "Reviving Ophelia" about a year ago. I was intrigued when I saw "Ophelia Speaks" at Borders and knew I had to read it. I loved it. I only wish I didn't see myself on many of its pages. My two favorite contributions had to be the poem "Catalogues," the opening poem in the Media-Fed Images chapter and "Fight Girl Power" in the Feminist Pride chapter. I found it interesting to note that Shandler said Ophelia was drowned by the weight of her skirts and neglected to mention another theory, one that truly encompasses the meaning of "Ophelia Speaks." Another theory is that Ophelia commited suicide because she was pregnant with Hamlet's baby. Mentioning this theory would have given the book more meaning. While it is true that girls face many hardships as teenagers, these are a part of growing up. These problems are part of everyday life. For example, like millions of teenage girls, I have suffered from depression and was in therapy. I tried several different antidepressants before finding the right one. I have experienced the death of grandparents. I have been ridiculed by cliques and rejected by friends. I have questioned my religion. My point is, our culture does not necessarily "girl-poison." Rather, we live life. I also don't like the fact that all this negativity is placed on teenage girls in particular. With already shaky self-esteem, the last thing we need is others saying we are "poisoned" by society and our futures are doomed. Why aren't there books about the fall of teenage boys? They are the more violent ones of society. After the school shootings that took place in Colorado, why aren't psychologists writing books about them? I think someone should write a book called "Reviving Hamlet" or something. Overall, "Ophelia Speaks" was an awesome book. I think Shandler should write a sequel. As a nineteen-year- old teenage girl, I would definately contribute something.

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Summary: A Beautiful and Powerful Book
Review: I loved this book becuase I felt that it really captured what it is like to grow up female in America. I laughed and cried as I read these powerful essays written by young and talented writers. As a mother it really made me reflect on how I can best guide my pre-adolescent daughter as she grows into a woman. I would not recommend that girls in their early teens read this as many of the material is not appropriate, especially the chapter on eating disorders.

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Summary: Unbelievably honest and to the point
Review: Last June my English teacher flagged me down in the hallway, waving a piece of paper. After reassuring me that it wasn't a failed Final Exam she sat me down and and handed me a copy of a call for submissions she had found in her mailbox that morning. It was for a book to be titled Ophelia Speaks and asked teenage girls to share their stories and experiences. My teacher suggested I submit a poem I had written earlier that year for English class. Doubtful that anything would come of it, I placed my poem in an envelope and sent it to Sara Shandler. Two months later I got a letter informing me that it had been selected for publication. When Ophelia Speaks finally came out in stores, I was first in line to get a copy. Four hours, a box of tissues and two Hagan Daz bars later, I had finished the entire book. It was such an incredible feeling to find so many other girls with whom I shared similar feelings and experiences-- especially after feeling completely alone for so many years. This book is one which I would recommend to anyone who has ever felt alone, unsure or simply confused.

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Summary: A message from the author
Review: I compiled Ophelia Speaks in an effort to give voice for our generation of adolescent girls. I am hopeful that other girls will see themselves in its pages and recognize that they are not alone. I am equally hopeful that anyone who cares for adolescent girls will gain better understanding of our struggles and strengths through this book. It is a startlingly honest portrait of young women in America; In these pages, Ophelia speaks.

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Summary: If I could give it more than 5 stars I would !
Review: This book is excellent ! If you are a teenage girl who feels alone in the world with all the crazy emotions and situations you go through...you HAVE to read this book. I am an 18yr. old high school senior and I saw a part myself in almost every one of the girls' writings throughout this book. No emotion or situation is left unexpressed or unexamined in this book. It is a wonderful read for teenage girls everywhere and it will make you realize, way beyond doubt, that you most certainly ARE NOT alone....