Customer Reviews

The Heart Is Not a Size

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Finding out about Beth Kephart's books has been a wonderful surprise for me. There has been a stereotype about Young Adult being nothing more than vampire lore and Gossip Girl fluff that doesn't do anything for teens who read the genre. However, Kephart's books break that stereotype as they encourage thinking and leave the reader pondering over what they read long after they have finished the book. Every book I've read of hers has left me feeling that way, something even adult fiction doesn't always do.

This book introduces us to two girls, Georgia and Riley, who are best friends in high school. Their lives are about to change when they sign up to a service trip in Juarez, Mexico. I felt as if I could connect with both girls. It brought back memories of high school. Kephart is always good with making the characters act like sensible realistic teenagers. They aren't too mature nor too juvenile for their age, and therefore come out believable. I could not stand Riley's mother. She was just...wow. I can't even describe but it made me very sad that she had to go through all that. It's no wonder she ended up resorting to the actions she chose.

The sections on Juarez were very moving. I never have had an opportunity to go on a mission trip or perform service projects aboard but I am in full support of helping those in need. It's sad reading about how even just one sheet of toilet paper can disrupt a whole town's water supply. This book does a great job of showing how lucky we are and how we tend to take even the most basic items and actions for granted.

Although I enjoyed the book very much, I personally preferred some of her other works such as Nothing But Ghosts. I felt that book really captured my heart and pulled me into the story. This book, while being written lovely, felt like it lacked something. I can't quite put my finger on it but I just felt like there was an element missing. It might have to do with the length of the story. Perhaps if the characters had more time to develop their personalities so I could understand them more. Other than this, as I said I did enjoy the book. Kephart has a way of writing beautiful books which capture the mind and soul of the reader. Honestly, if not for being published by a YA publisher and having a slant towards a younger audience, this book is really more literary fiction. If you haven't read any of her books, now would be a good time to start.

The Heart is Not a Size was a good read and I liked it but it was not quite as great as I was expecting it to be, I'm afraid.

Georgia, though a likable character, was sadly not very memorable to me. Riley was more interesting and better developed but I found it hard to connect with her or even like her. As for the other characters, well, there were so many of them that you really didn't go to know them or see their own individual personalities. They seemed liked they could have been great characters but the book was just too short for them to have a chance to develop properly. The one character that really stood out to me, however, was Drake. He was just so different then your typical YA guys in books these days and I just wish there had been more of him.

They story itself was thought-provoking and moving. The details were very accurate which makes sense considering Kephart has actually been to Juarez. The secrets mentioned in the synopsis weren't what I was expecting but worked well.

The writing, however, was something I had mixed feelings about. The dialogue and context in general were very beautiful and believable but sometimes scenes and events seemed to change too abruptly. There was also something about the actual writing style that through me off and made it hard for me to establish any kind of flow while reading, at first. Once I got into Part 2, things picked up the pace a bit and the book was more enjoyable.

The ending was good but seemed to happen a little too quickly. Something else that could have benefited from the book being longer.

All in all, to me, The Heart is Not a Size was a worthwhile read though not perfect. I'm not entirely sure if this is one I'd reread though I do intend to read Kephart's other books. If this book sounds good to you then I'd say pick it up.

Beth Kephart has once again created a novel that moves you. This book held a special place in my heart because of all the trips I took in high school to places that needed help - Vancouver, Minnesota, West Virginia, and more. Georgia takes a similar journey to Mexico to help her overcome her panic attacks. While there, she finds out she is not the only one with a secret. Her best friend has a weighty secret that Georgia can't seem to get her to talk about. Will Mexico make a difference or will it drive a stake between the two girls.

I loved the voice of this book. Georgia is a girl that wants so much to be perfect that she literally makes herself sick over it. Something a lot of kids and teens can relate to. And they way that Georgia decides she's going to solve her problem is so very much ingrained into her personality. She needs to get out, she needs to help someone else.

The situation in Mexico is really very sad and even though nothing dramatic happens in that aspect while they are there, just seeing the loss through the eyes of others is so moving. This truly is a book that will make you realize how much we take advantage of our good lives and how much more we could help.

The Heart Is Not A Size by Beth Kephart is essentially a snapshot in time. Georgia, the main character, is a junior in high school. She's this husky, solid girl who is prone to panic attacks. One day she sees this flyer for a humanitarian trip to Juarez, Mexico. She decides going to Mexico will solve her problems. She then decides to drag her BFF, Riley along. Riley, has some inner demons of her own to battle.

As I mentioned, this book takes place over a brief amount of time. You have a timeline that starts when Georgia hears about the trip, and then goes up until the last day of the trip. There is no epilogue or anything to give the reader any indication of what happens after the trip. Occasionally, this method will work for me, but in this book, I didn't think it was enough. I did not feel the characters were fully fleshed out. I never really felt we got to the root of Georgia's emotions or problems. I also had such a hard time really connecting with any of the characters.

I felt that Georgia was a crutch by which we examine Riley. To me, this was more Riley's story. I am not sure that was the author's intent. It just seemed like there was more background to Riley and we are given a larger glimpse of what drives her and her problems.

What I did enjoy was that the teens weren't self-absorbed. Instead, they wanted to truly make a difference. This is awesome. I would have enjoyed reading more about how the experience changed the teens. I think choosing to explore causes and how teens are agents of change was a great choice, and I'd love more on this from the YA genre, as teens truly do care about issues. Teens have opinions, ideas.

Superficially, I liked The Heart Is Not A Size. It had a nice message, kept me somewhat engaged while I read it and was a fast read. However, when I think about this book more deeply, I'm not so sure it'll be among the more memorable books I have read. For me to remember a book well, I have to have some sort of reaction to it. I have to be engaged on some level with the characters. It has to evoke something emotionally in me, whether that is love, hate, tears, or belly laughs. This book just did not do that for me. Now, this is not to say that it will not do the same for you. Remember, "no two people ever read the same book."

This is a wonderful book for adults both young and old. The story is riveting, the setting is intriguing, the language is splendid. But more than this, THE HEART IS NOT A SIZE is as true as any work of fiction can be. Its characters are irresistibly real--as real as the dust and the heat of Juarez. Even though Beth Kephart made them up, I've known these people. I've argued and loved and cried over them. You will love spending time with them, and looking deep into their souls. Long after you finish this book, their journey will stay in your heart.

--Sy Montgomery

On Christmas break during junior year of high school, Georgia spots a flyer on a grocery store corkboard. The ad promises "two weeks that will transform your life." The flyer is from an organization looking to recruit American teenagers to help build a community in Juarez, Mexico. After reading the ad, Georgia immediately calls Riley, her best friend since kindergarten, and tries to convince her to sign up for the trip, too.

Georgia is part of a busy and loving family of five. Big-boned, levelheaded, and responsible, Georgia is a model daughter who keeps peace between her siblings and freely babysits her younger, overactive brother. She is also a loyal friend. A stickler for the rules yet always willing to lend a hand and keep secrets, she is an overachiever and a worrier who at times seems too perfect to be real.

Riley is the opposite of Georgia. Bubbly and spontaneous, pixie-like, and getting thinner, Riley is a sensitive free spirit who creates beautiful jewelry. As an only child, she lives in a huge, expensive home with her self-absorbed mother and workaholic father. Riley's overly critical and neglectful mom is a Botox queen who gets hysterical over a fake tan gone wrong.

Over the years, the girls have shared their dreams, insecurities, and secrets. In spite of their differences in sizes, shapes, families, and interests, they have remained best friends. But that summer is about to change everything. Before leaving for Mexico, Riley tells Georgia a secret that plunges Riley into depression and causes her to engage in dangerous and self-destructive behaviors. Working under the hot Mexican sun in the middle of summer worsens Riley's condition and increases Georgia's worries. The two weeks in Juarez stretch their friendship, almost to the breaking point.

In THE HEART IS NOT A SIZE, Beth Kephart has crafted a thought-provoking novel about the bounds and responsibilities of friendship. With a deft hand, she realistically portrays sensitive issues facing teens today, including how a parent's neglectful behavior and cruel words can severely damage a child, emotionally and physically. Kephart also nudges readers to contemplate the obligation of the wealthy to help the poor. The novel is a gracefully written story about loyalty, courage, compassion, change, jealousy, and forgiveness --- wrapped in a powerful message that "the heart is not a size."

By all outward appearances, Georgia has everything going for her - she's a good student, she's responsible and she has her share of friends. Inwardly though, she struggles with anxiety, so when she notices a flyer looking for young people to travel to Juárez, Mexico to help the people there build community, she's eager to go.

Georgia convinces her parents that it's okay and talks her best friend, Riley, into going with her. Upon arrival in Juárez, Georgia wonders what she's gotten herself into. After she settles in, the trip turns out to be one of self-discovery for her and she grows immensely while she's there.

The Heart Is Not a Size is a fantastic book about growing up and discovering the world. Georgia is a wonderful character and I hope there are many young people like her out there these days. I think most teen-agers can relate to her insecurities and self-doubt and even her struggles with her best friend, Riley. I know I could, and it's been a long time since I was a teen-ager. Georgia thought,

The heart is not a size, Sophie had said; and I knew she was right - that there was no measure for the people we were becoming, no limit to what we might become.

The trip to Juárez turned out to be a life changing event for both Georgia and Riley and their experience really made me think - about how fortunate I am and about what I can do to help those who aren't as fortunate. It also served as a reminder to me that most people are the same no matter where they live.

I'm a big fan of Beth Kephart`s work, so it was no surprise to me that I loved The Heart Is Not a Size. Beth's writing is so lyrical, I imagine she carefully considers each and every word in her books. This is the third one of her books that I've read and I've found myself lost in each one of them. This is a book that can be enjoyed by teen-agers and adults and I recommend it to both.

Beth Kephart fans are not going to be happy with this review. Don't get me wrong, the book is terrific, but it isn't scheduled for release until the end of March 2010. It is definitely worth waiting for, though, so put it on your wish list.

It seems that more and more one hears about teens going on work experience trips to underprivileged countries. There always seem to be fund-raisers going on and pledge drives to send someone or other off to help build houses or clean up after a flood or earthquake or hurricane. Beth Kephart uses one such trip as the backdrop for THE HEART IS NOT A SIZE.

Georgia convinces her parents to let her travel with a group to Juarez, Mexico, to help improve life for those living in a devastatingly poor area of the border town. Despite the poor living conditions and threats to personal safety, Georgia believes she can make a difference. Leaving behind her comfortable life in Pennsylvania, she spends her time under the hot Mexican sun building, of all things, a community toilet for the local natives.

Going along for the experience is Georgia's best friend, Riley. Giving up the comforts of home are harder on Riley, who enjoys shopping and looking her best at whetever she does. Georgia knows she'll be able to handle the heat and the hard physical labor, but she has her doubts about Riley. There's been something bothering her about her best friend, but she hasn't been able to confront her.

Georgia knows that Riley is constantly striving to live up to her mother's high expectations. In an effort to please her mother, Riley seems to have stopped eating. Georgia knows what is going on but doesn't know how to deal with the problem. She has hopes that the time together will give her an opportunity to rescue her friend.

Kephart's writing simply flows as she explores the emotions of friendship, the tragedy of poverty, and the importance of giving. Readers will easily relate to Georgia as she struggles to help a friend and finds it more difficult than she dreamed.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Once again, Beth Kephart has delivered a young-adult novel that sings to adult readers of all ages. Gorgeously written and impeccably rooted in place and time, THE HEART IS NOT A SIZE takes readers on a journey through an impoverished Mexican village and the emotional terrain of the young women whose lives are permanently touched by their time spent there.

As always, Ms. Kephart's deft touch brings emotional darkness into light and places the reader directly into both the psychological and physical truth of the story.

This is a story that resonates on many levels, not only for the timeliness of the Mexican village setting - the subject of current worldwide media attention - but also the timelessness of the struggle with eating disorders that plagues women (and men) of all ages.

THE HEART IS NOT A SIZE is a novel to read and savor...and share with someone you love.

This one particularly touches me personally as I, myself, struggle with an eating disorder and unfortunately, this disease is becoming more and more prevalent in young adults (mainly female, although guys are certainly not immune). So, of course, as soon as I saw the title and cover of this one - I was hooked. Thankfully, it was totally easy to be hooked as author Kephart has written a gut wrenching, deep story about the friendship between two very different girls Georgia and Riley - who end up traveling to Juarez, Mexico.

Although this appears to be the main premise of the book - the geographical location serves more as a trigger - propelling both girls to truly get to understand who they are and more importantly, to finally face up to who they really are !

The story is always touching, at times funny and the writing is beautiful - simply beautiful. I found myself rooting for these girls who are simply trying to get by, while learning hard life lessons, all the while maintaining their friendship - which is truly a gift.

The author does a wonderful job in creating a character that suffers from an ED and will do anything to live in denial (the favorite spot for many addicts) until she can no longer hide it - even while she tried to hide from it in Mexico.

Beautifully, beautifully written.