Prettier on the inside!

Have you ever wanted to be included in something, or to fit in? My favorite literary character is Belly from “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han. Belly is a teenage girl who, every summer, has visited a beach house owned by her mother’s best friend, Susannah. Belly, her mom, her brother Steven, Susannah, and her two sons Conrad and Jeremiah would spend each summer swimming and not having a care in the world. However, it was not always fun for Belly. Her brother and the boys would constantly leave her out and ignore her, but one summer changed everything. Conrad and Jeremiah paid attention to her, and it was the summer she turned pretty. In the beginning of the story, Belly is expecting the usual. She is expecting that the boys will continue to leave her out and that she will never fit in. When they start to include her, Belly questions herself and how she has changed. As the story progresses, Belly realizes that she has not necessarily changed, but has grown up. She realizes that it has never been about being included, that it is about being yourself, and spending time with the people you love. I admire her for that. I think Belly is a relatable character because isn’t that what we all want at least one point in our lives? To fit in? I know I do. I think “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is a great read and can change your perspective on some things in life. I would definitely recommend it!