Customer Reviews

I Was A Teenage Fairy (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

I've read most of the other reviews about how this book is horrible and so forth and so on because of the subject matter. While this book probably shouldn't be on a list for 12 and up, if a kid is honestly still so naive by the time they are entering highschool that they can't handle this book, maybe its good they are being exposed to the world. The book discusses sex, drinking, being molested, nothing more than is talked about on Oprah or Dr. Phil. Parents may not be ready for their 8th grader to be exposed to this, but its definitely the real world. I read this book going into the 7th grade and it didn't hurt me to read it, it just opened my eyes to a life I had never experienced. The book is well written and will suck you in if you are open minded enough to read it.

at the age of 15, this is one of my very favourite books. i loved it so much i had to go out and buy it. this book is full of emotion and if you read it, it will forever enthrall you. this book taught me things that no person ever could. i love this book so very much, and i suggest any teenage girl (whos really a faerie on the inside, like myself) read this magical book.

First of all, if you have read Francesca Lia Block's other books, don't expect that sort of writing here. Granted, it has the same descriptions of places you would kill to go to, but that's about where the similarities end.

This book is more of a gritty Y/A novel than a fantasy, ie Weetzie Bat. It's the story of Barbie, a young girl haunted by her burn-out was-model mother, who wants Barbie to be to be a model so badly, she will go to any lengths to ensure it. So along comes Mab, a pinkie-size fairy with fuschia hair, who is Barbie's best friend, guidance counselor and, on occasion, psychiatrist! She is the best part of a fantastic book.

Yes, I liked this book. I loved this book. I will read this book until the end of time!

first of all, i'd like to state that i am a huge fan of lia block and also a very harsh critic, so i hope other FLB fans don't get offended. i do not wish to discuss the actual summary of the book, that would be tedious and you can click on the whole 'look inside' thing for that, so rather i'll just share my opinion. i found barbie to be one of the must un-sypmathatic, shallow, vile, and boring character in any FLB book. i could not relate to her -at all- and was extremely upset upon finishing this book. FLB claims to write books about real girls for real girls, and i believe she did a much better and more complete job with characters such as weetzie bat, voilet (never was a big fan of claire), and especially lady ivory and albaster duchess (of 'girl goddess #9' fame). there are more obviously, but i felt a connection with them, i cared for them, and especailly for non-'cookie cutter' girls like the aforementioned lady ivory and albaster. while FLB claims every girl is uniquely beautiful, why does she continue to write mostly of conventionally beautiful and seductress girls? albaster, who was described as 'voluptous' and ivory who apparantly does not remember her natural haircolor (a tad ditzy, i suppose) seemed a little more real, because not everyone in l.a. is blond and rail thin... and i don't think all the girls FLB writes about should be either. another thing was that i found barbie's virtual muteness extremely nerve-racking. this was not the kind of girl i thought FLB should choose, one who was totally dependent and frankly pathetic, even in her incarnate, 'selena moon' (i'm sorry, but francesca, what were you on that night?!). i also get irritated by little kitsch punk culture nods, as can be found in IWATF. the only book i found where i felt it was real and appropraite was weetzie bat, not with some dumb sheltered supermodel the reader has no sympathy or patience for. lastly, i am appalled by angry parents proclaiming this book is inappropriate for teenagers. i read this book for the first time when i was 13 and did not find it unnerving at all. most teens and pre-teens are exposed to the 'horrors' described in IWATF (sex and drugs mostly, hopefully not molestation :) and would not find them shocking. i don't think virginal teens would pick this book up anyways. and if they do, and then find it offensive, they can always stop reading it, this is a so-called democratic nation and nothing in that book is john waters material or would scar a child for life. trust me, it would do more damage to plop your children in front of 'the man show' (hehe. althoughi have to admit i find it funny. when the juggies aren't on.)... in conclusion, if you are an avid FLB fan i recommend you read it anyways, just for common knowledge, but if you are a block virgin i suggest you start with the (way better) weetzie bat series, voilet and claire, or girl goddess #9, all of which are much betterly developed and altogether zesty...

When I was told about this book and that it would help me, a past victim of Child Molestation...I thought what? Especially when I picked the book up and saw the cover. How can this help me in any way? But I decided to go ahead and purchase and read....I found that even though this was a fictious book, my life and my feelings related to the past pains suffered. The fantasy of the book helped me to understand my reality.
What a remarkable book this is.
I also want to mention Nightmares Echo as being another book I was told to get, also helps with healing. To say i am amazed at this book is an understatement. thank you to the author

I Wasa a Teenage Fairy by Fransesca Dia Block was a very magical, invigorating, bizarre, and startling story. I loved this story. It had a realistic feel with a fairy tale twist
This story is about a girl, Barbie, who is forced by her mother to model. Her mom didn't make it as a model and thought she could fix her mistakes through her daughter. When she was about 8 she met a fairy named Mab. Mab was about 4 in. tall with a 8 foot tall sex drive, she had the attitude of a girl with permanent p.m.s.
Something happened at one of her modling shoots that would change her forever. Barbie wanted to tell her mom but couldn't, Even if she wanted to her mom wouldn't listen. If it wasn't for Mab all of Barbies feelings would be locked up inside.
16 year old Barbie, more beautiful than ever still being forced to model. Barbie meets a some friends and enimies that will change her life always.
This was a great book and I recomend it to you who have just read my review.

This gritty novel isn't quite like Block's other books. It's still fantastic and a definite for any Block fans, but it's more real and harsh. It's the story of Barbie, the daughter of a has been model whose life is suddenly turned upside down when the "crocodile pedophile" Hamilton Waverly gets a hold of her, and her father leaves. It's the story of Mab, the pinkie sized fairy who is Barbie's only friend. With Mab by her side, Barbie can find the courage to go on. It's also the story of Griffin, another victim of the crocodile, and his actor friend Todd who loves Barbie. This sweet yet sinister (at times) story is fantastic, but can be hard to read if you don't like the subject. However the scenes aren't all that graphic, as in some of her other books. I highly recommend this book to any die hard Francesca Lia Block fan. It's a winner all the way!

Also read: Dangerous Angels, Violet and Claire and Girl Goddess #9, all by Francesca Lia Block.

Francesca Lia Block's books are very light and pleasant... teenage love stories with a hint of the fantastic. I am not a teenager (college grad), but i love her books for a step away from reality. She deals with modern issues (homosexuality, tattoos, popular music, rape, sex, etc.), but adds details like fairies and magic to keep it light-hearted and wonderful.

This book was sweet and entertaining... but by far not her best novel. I'd recommend Violet & Claire (a story about 2 best friends), Nymph (her book of adult erotica short stories) or Girl Goddess #9 (a young adult book of short stories.)

This book is amazing! I never thought that it would contain such incredible writing in it. This book makes you laugh, and smile, and giggle. It makes you feel like your concience is nibbling at your ears. This book is incredible, and I assure you that it is worth all of the money you spend on it.

I never had, until I read this book. Mizz Block's writing is absolutely amazing!! I could not put the book down. From its catchy beginning to the very last sentence, it will make you think and ask yourself how an author could be so brilliant. I encourage anyone to read this book. It's whitty, smart, and modern. Do yourself a favor and read it