Easy

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

If there was ever a book that captures the extreme discomfort of coming into your own self, then EASY is that book. Fourteen-year-old Jessica lives a life in turmoil. Whether all of the turmoil is real or imagined doesn't matter. What's important is that for this girl who once knew exactly who she was and what place she held in the world, she no longer knows anything at all. It was simple once. There was her mom, and dad, and older sister, Anne. There was school and her best friend, Elisabeth. Most of all there was photography, and Ruth, the art teacher she's had since seventh grade. But now her parents are divorced her mom is unable to cope, and her dad has a new girlfriend, Dana, who caused her parent's split. Anne is busy alternately hating their father and being the parent to their mother. Ruth is equally busy hounding Jessica for her self-portrait that's to be entered in the national high school art contest. But Jessica doesn't find the same comfort behind the camera that she'd once took for granted. In fact, Jessica doesn't take comfort in much of anything, except the new-found confidence she has when she's around members of the opposite sex. She finds herself lying in bed at night, reconstructing scenes with Jason, her crush. Somehow, though, it's not enough, this wanting from afar. Her body has changed, almost beyond recognition, and the catcalls and whistles from guys on the street give Jessica a feeling she hasn't had before--that of being admired, wanted, needed. When she meets Ted, a guy in his twenties who stops for her on the highway, her initial wariness quickly turns to feelings of power. This guy desires her. He needs her. She, the girl who hasn't felt loved or wanted for such a long time, finally has the type of power that makes her feel alive. This type of power doesn't last, and it's only a matter of time before Jessica figures this out. While her father is planning to marry his once-mistress, and her sister gets an actual boyfriend, and her mother revels in her misery, it will take some drastic circumstances before Jessica realizes just what, exactly, she's become. When she finally figures out which photograph to use for her self-portrait, it's not pretty. But neither, she realizes, is real life. This is a book that, like its title suggests, is terribly easy to relate to. Even in this day and age, it is extremely simple for females to equate desire and attraction with self-worth and love. Whether it's the way of our society or the fault of the media, young girls especially learn from an early age that being wanted by males makes you a better female. EASY shows, without ever being preachy or self-effacing, the fallacy in this way of thinking. This is a definite winner that I highly recommend to anyone and everyone. Kudos to Ms. Hoffmann for such an emotional, heartfelt story.

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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A person who cant stand reading.

I LOVED this book. and i HATE reading. I picked this book up and couldnt put it down. I read it in 2 hrs. i no wow. Its a great book. and i recommend it.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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A reviewer

I loved this book alot! I couldn't put it down i finnished it in one day. This book is so relateable. I urge you to read it :]

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Fantastic Book

I found this book at the library and thought it was good by just reading the back- I was right. From start to end, Jessica's character is real and someone that I can relate to. This book was just great...

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Reviewed by Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius" for TeensReadToo.com

If there was ever a book that captures the extreme discomfort of coming into your own self, then EASY is that book. Fourteen-year-old Jessica lives a life in turmoil. Whether all of the turmoil is real or imagined doesn't matter. What's important is that for this girl who once knew exactly who she was and what place she held in the world, she no longer knows anything at all. <BR/><BR/>It was simple once. There was her mom, and dad, and older sister, Anne. There was school and her best friend, Elisabeth. Most of all there was photography, and Ruth, the art teacher she's had since seventh grade. But now her parents are divorced; her mom is unable to cope, and her dad has a new girlfriend, Dana, who caused her parent's split. Anne is busy alternately hating their father and being the parent to their mother. Ruth is equally busy hounding Jessica for her self-portrait that's to be entered in the national high school art contest. <BR/><BR/>But Jessica doesn't find the same comfort behind the camera that she'd once took for granted. In fact, Jessica doesn't take comfort in much of anything, except the new-found confidence she has when she's around members of the opposite sex. She finds herself lying in bed at night, reconstructing scenes with Jason, her crush. Somehow, though, it's not enough, this wanting from afar. Her body has changed, almost beyond recognition, and the catcalls and whistles from guys on the street give Jessica a feeling she hasn't had before--that of being admired, wanted, needed. <BR/><BR/>When she meets Ted, a guy in his twenties who stops for her on the highway, her initial wariness quickly turns to feelings of power. This guy desires her. He needs her. She, the girl who hasn't felt loved or wanted for such a long time, finally has the type of power that makes her feel alive. <BR/><BR/>This type of power doesn't last, and it's only a matter of time before Jessica figures this out. While her father is planning to marry his once-mistress, and her sister gets an actual boyfriend, and her mother revels in her misery, it will take some drastic circumstances before Jessica realizes just what, exactly, she's become. When she finally figures out which photograph to use for her self-portrait, it's not pretty. But neither, she realizes, is real life. <BR/><BR/>This is a book that, like its title suggests, is terribly easy to relate to. Even in this day and age, it is extremely simple for females to equate desire and attraction with self-worth and love. Whether it's the way of our society or the fault of the media, young girls especially learn from an early age that being wanted by males makes you a better female. EASY shows, without ever being preachy or self-effacing, the fallacy in this way of thinking. This is a definite winner that I highly recommend to anyone and everyone. Kudos to Ms. Hoffmann for such an emotional, heartfelt story.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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One of the best books i've ever read

i love this book, i finished this in one day i couldn't put it down

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Well..Outstanding!

This is a very good book. I really liked it. Easy is a must read. There might be a few flaws but what book doesnt have any. So just read and find out for yourself!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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GREAT BOOK!!!

I loved this book! It was great! I think that for a first time writer Kerry Cohen Hoffmann, this book was amazing. I think that teens should really take a good look at this book, it will teach them something about good attension and bad attension. As they follow Jessica, through some tough things and decions. Jessica goes through some tough problems in her life and will try to get attension from men and boys, because she doesn't get any at home or school. But it ends up to be something more than just struting in her mini skirt and tight shirt. But soon she will realize that she doesn't need attension to feel needed or wanted.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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College Comp 4th period.

Easy is an emotion stirring book that puts you in the mind of a confused girl at the start of highschool. The struggle in finding her own identity and her parents divorce leads Jessica (main character) through a search for love. She becomes sexually promiscuous as a replacement for love because she doesn't know any other way to get it.I found the teen dialogue amazingly real. I believe it is something most girls going through highschool can relate too. Hoffmann's distinct writting style pulls you into the book like superglue, and you wont be able to put it down.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Yes.

Written amazing,. Random plot but good build up.

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I wish i could say i liked it better...

I must say i was diappointed a little. I sometimes found it hard to follow, the scenes would change suddenly without much explanation. Although i couldnt wait to see what happened in the end, i would of rather borrowed this book from the library. Maybe im to old, or maybe im just picky, either way it was just ok for me.

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Pretty decent read

I read this book in about four hours and although it is not the most intense book I have ever read, it was real and interesting and I couldn't put it down.

I really enjoyed the book although I had a hard time imagining that someone would mistake a fourteen year old for an eighteen year old and that parents would let their fourteen year old go to parties in cabs.

I would recommend this book to any girl who is thinking about messing around with older guys and trying to grow up too fast.

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Amazing

I couldn't stop reading. More for TEENAGERS over 13. Its really an amazing book that makes you think<3

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Ew

This book was to graphic and we kinda allknow we dont need to flaunt orselves to feel liked!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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It's alright.

this book was good but there are a lot of spelling and grammar errors. And it is really short.

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Book

This was a very good book! Many spelling errors though.

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emotional

i think this book teaches a lesson aabout trying to grow up too fast and chasing after the wrong people. i know what its like to hit an artistic block like jessica, but in the end i like how she pulled herself together and found who she realy is. she should enjoy her childhood to th fullest. the grammar was realy off as if this book was never edited, though.

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I love this book !!!!

this book is amazing. it is definitely something to read about it always keeps on the edge of your seat. you must read it !!

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waste of time

I saw the angle at which the book was trying to go, but the story line and events seemed to be rushed and at times unbelievable.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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read "Loose Girl" instead

loose girl iz very similar only better because it iz a true account of kerry cohens life as a promiscuous girl....i loved itt...couldn't put it down.........this book iz similar but doesnt compare

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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