All the Wrong People Have Self-Esteem: An Inappropriate Book for Young Ladies*

by Laurie Rosenwald

Sometimes the craziest, funniest, wackiest ideas are simply the truest. "GO PURPLE!" advises Laurie Rosenwald in this original graphics-filled scrap-booky masterpiece of enjoyment aimed at teen girls who have grown way out of American girl, and may even feel cynical about Gossip Girl! "Of course you should keep recycling and wearing vegtarian sneakers and organic cotton underpants, drinking fair trade mochachinos, and using rhubarb/green tea conditioner . . . . it's just that I'm tired of all this green marketing!" She tells her own stories (Kicked Out of Yoga!) advises (Great comebacks to try!), interacts, makes mistakes, does a lot of art, and works with many a typeface in this one-of-a kind no-holds-barred take on modern life for today's young women.

Genres: Young Adult, Humor, Teen, Self Help, Art

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2008

About the author

Laurie Rosenwald was born in Manhattan and feels sorry for people who visit New York and don't know anybody who can show them the backstreets. An accomplished illustrator and designer, she has worked with such clients as IKEA, Coca-Cola, and Nickelodeon. Her illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker and the New York Times.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who wouldn't pursue a book with this title? When I found it in the library, it didn't look like what I thought it would, and in all honesty, the design - the collage technique - is not my style. But the tone and the writing are so clever. The tirade about yellowtail was "amazing." I was upset at the page telling guys not to drink tea or eat soup because it makes them look like a wuss. But then I decided it was sarcasm and that I could trust Ms. Rosenwald since she had just 10 pages earlier said, "Everyone should read The New Yorker." I found the book surprisingly relevant, considering it's "an inappropriate book for young ladies* *or, frankly, anybody else." It is both something I would have loved 15 years ago and something I pretty well love today. That's nice to know.

[Sally · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh, I don't think I'll finish it. I guess it's geared towards teen girls, but the material seems a bit mature for even older teen girls. Just the first few pages point out that teen girls and their mothers probably argue because the moms are noticing their daughters come into their sexuality and the mothers are jealous. uh? Casual mention of sex, assuming that sex is part of many teenagers' lives. um, shouldn't be.

Not my cup of tea, nor are the collage illustrations. Oh, well.

[Andee Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 32 and I was meant read this book today, tonight, at this exact hour in my life.
..amazing and awesome... (that's an inside joke with the author)
If you have ever had a worry or insecurity, then I recommend this book to you . It made me feel like the human equivalent of champaign .

[Ever · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this. There is enough material here to make you laugh, or annoy you, or feel bad, or think "Thank the gods there's someone out there who thinks the same way I do!". I just wish it was longer!

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book looked like something that was thrown together on a whim. It lacked relevant content and had no edifying or redeeming value. I read a library copy because the title caught my attention, and I am grateful that it took no more than a few minutes to get through it.

[Monica Edinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different, but so cool.

[Jessa Franco · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has no plot, specific tips, or even advice columns. Each page of the book is devoted to a different topic or a different method of approaching the topic. The book discusses a lot of issues in a young girl’s life, such as self-esteem, sex, fighting with their mom, the environment, beauty and much more. Each of the issues also includes the author’s opinion. Although the book is opinionated, it mirrors the opinions most teens have about the topic. In addition, she includes inspirational, yet sometimes random, stories and quotes. On the last page before the author blurb, Rosenwald tells a story about writing a children’s book. Instead of asking someone to illustrate a canary, she takes a piece of oddly shaped paper and makes it into a canary. Her message is that it is ok to make mistakes, to create chaos. As you try to be or create perfection, you typically result in disappointment and mistakes. She promotes the opposite, try for chaos and find perfection in it.

This book would be helpful for any teen or even adult female struggling with their identity and role in life. While reading the book, I did every task the author asked the reader to do, including playing a game with my friends, making a list of things that make me cheerful, and more. During the processes of reading the book, I had a new look on life and found myself sharing the insightful and confidence boosting pieces with my friends. It helped me and my friends, with its humor and distinct outlook; it would probably help other girls our age.

[Kricket · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun irreverent book of collages by laurie rosenwald that poke fun at teen magazines. i laughed out loud many times while reading, for example here:

"Join the purple movement! Ten purple things you can do:
Thing 1:
I hate lists like this. Here's what you can do with your *&%##@*!@ list:
Thing 2:
DON'T TELL PEOPLE WHAT TO DO!"

and so on.

many of the other reviews of this book are also making me laugh out loud many times while reading. "are these the messages we want to be giving to young ladies?" hint: read the subtitle of the book again.

[Mindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous. Great collage art. While I do not endorse all of Rosenwald's ideas, she can be hysterical.

I bought the book because of the following excerpt: "i finally decided to get some clothes that really fit me. so i go to saks...i hear they've got a special department for size 14 and up. i think it's called "salon z." i to in the store and there's the...i don't know what you call her...the info chick, at this sort of podium thing. and i say, "where's your big fat ugly girl department?"

and you know what she says?

"on 9."

[Robynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An advice book with some great bits and some funny bits. But then some of the bits I was rather unhappy about. Her message at some points was not the message I would want given to young ladies or for that matter to anyone. However, I really believe that if parents are doing their very best then the young people they are bringing up can make good judgements about what is wise and what is not wise. We all have to do that all the time for all of our lives.

[Sudi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In bold, artistic, colorful strokes, author Laurie Rosenwald offers an irreverent view of being a teenager. With funny anecdotes, short poems, and humorous lists, this is a fun page turner for adult and teen alike. Rosenwald put this book together as an artistic piece and it works on many levels. This book is a post-modern new-millenium answer to "Chicken Soup for the Soul." Instead of feel good articles and stories, it's a bold statement in quick colorful blurbs. Fun and freeing.

[Jill Pickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The anti-Seventeen: it's formatted as a magazine, but brutally challenges prevailing wisdom that teens are so often force-fed like, "you have to love yourself before anyone can love you." ("Like" is good enough, says Rosenwald.) It's Seventeen for sarcastic, trendsetting, backlash-loving kids, mixed with tell-all confessions. (She wears makeup religiously! Gasp!) All with one simple, hidden message: Be your f***ing self.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MAGAD! This book includes: 1) a DIY update on the Ian Dury song "Reasons to be Cheerful" 2) an advice for teens Mad Lib 3) some French and 4) thru 122) many many more useful and funny and brilliantly colored things.

PLUS it starts out by saying that nobody interesting ISN'T plagued by doubt. Yeah. Word. This is the NUTS.

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did I hear about this book? I'm honestly curious now. This is seriously awesome. It's YA, but I think any female over the age of 13 needs to read this. I say 13 only because there is a small bit of language. Not to mention the part about how babies are made. You know, how sex involves electrical sockets and the like.

Seriously, short and easy and visually appealing. Look it up.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and random.

Favorite Quotes:

The trouble with love is that pets don't last long enough and people last too long.

I taught my cats to spoon. They're from Queens so they picked it up right away.

Things to say when you don't know what to say: I'll have to talk to my horse about it.

Some believe sex is where babies come from, but we now know that babies come from France.

[Ubalstecha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very weird book. It is supposedly written for teenage girls, and certainly, the chaotic, 5 second sound-bite nature of the work might appeal to some of that demographic. Author Rosenwald has illustrated her rants and homilies with collages. In fact, there are times that the reader thinks the only reason for this book is the collages. The text is secondary.

A little disappointing.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good (and truthful) title, and a fairly creative (if somewhat dated-looking) artwork style. As for the content…meh. The artist just seemed to hurl everything on the pages without bothering to see what stuck (or fit). The running gag about being a “vegetarian who eats meat” was unfunny the first time around.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilarious book full of colorful collage art, irreverant humor, lists of pet peeves, confessions, and DIY advice. If you've ever: fought with your mother, been kicked out of class, or been caught shoplifting then this book may be for you.

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hmm, what to say. Well, this book got really good reviews and had a catchy title so I thought I'd give it a try. Although there were a few nuggets of wisdom to be gleaned and the layout and design was cool, it really wasn't worth the time I spent reading it.

[P · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book. I think that is suitable for teens with open minded parents. Educational. If I was recommending this book to a young person, I would be sure to have discussion time available for after the book was read.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphically Delicious!

Each new page held colors and pictures more enthralling than the last one.

Funny quotes and stories mixed with messages than everyone (not just teen girls) ought to hear and take to heart.

This book will leave a smile on your heart and a spring in your step.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like her idea that interesting people have doubts. But, I just didn't get a lot of the book. I think I'm too old for her demographic and I think she's just venting but disguising it as guidance for young women.

[Kealsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has the most disturbingly wrong message I've ever seen in a book (especially marketed towards young people). 'Don't be what society tells you to be,' it assures you. 'Don't even be what you want to be, be this cool counter-culture girl I've just discovered because being yourself is overrated.'

[Jeanette Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disjointed jumble of subjects. This is supposed to appeal to teens and I thought the best part of the book was the college work of the pages. I couldn't find the humor in most of it although the subject headings had some appeal.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh and laugh!

[What Possessed Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

More delicious than profiteroles.

[CLM]

Is this the best title ever? Perhaps not suitable for my way-sensitive nieces, however.

[Lupine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appealing for the younger teen. Some of it is a little toungue in cheek and I am willing to be the moms will enjoy it as well.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very visual and HILARIOUS.