My Life from Air Bras to Zits

by Barbara Haworth-Attard

"Let's buy you some boobs," she said. Thanks to a freakish act of generosity on the part of her older sister, fourteen-year-old Teresa Tolliver is starting tenth grade with a brand-new bra―and the "womanly profile" she's always wanted. Maybe now she can finally attract the eye of her obsessive crush, Achingly Adorable Adam. Boys like big boobs, right? Or maybe they just are big boobs. But Teresa's bust isn't the only part of her that could use a lift; a panicked fear of falling to the bottom of the high school social hierarchy has left her self-confidence a little flat, too. Meanwhile, her soon-to-be married sister is a shrieking bridezilla, her grandfather is starting to show scary signs of dementia, and someone in the house is pregnant. By the end of the year, Teresa's ego is starting to feel as battered and worn as her air bra. Will either make it out intact? Or will they both end up popped and lopsided? "Barbara Haworth-Attard has crafted a juicy romp through the mind of an uncertain, hyperbolic, and delightfully-flawed 14-year-old girl . . . Highly Recommended."
― Canadian Review of Materials

Genres: Young Adult

273 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Barbara Haworth-Attard is a native of Elmira, Ontario, presently residing in London, Ontario with her family. June 1995 saw the publication of her first junior novel, Dark of the Moon. Since then she has written twelve novels in the historical fiction, fantasy and contemporary genres for middle-grade and young adult readers. Her thirteenth book, "Forget-Me-Not" a sequel to "Love-Lies-Bleeding" has been out since this Fall 2005 from HarperCollins Canada. Henry Holt and Company released the US edition of "Theories of Relativity" in 2006. This book has also been sold to Editions Thierry Magnier of France.

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (2010): Haunted

Reviews

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast, fun read that will appeal to teen girls who are experiencing any or all of the issues Teresa's facing in this first-person narrative. They will instantly connect with her slightly over the top way of dealing with everything from the air-bra her older sister buys for her, to the class system in tenth grade, her wonderful ethnic family and the way she sorts out her thoughts by talking to her Ken and Barbie dolls. Deft and very funny sum this book up very nicely.

[Anna Hardesty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, funny read. Some parts are VERY weird, like how she talks to her Barbie dolls and about nipples, but in the end, a very good read. Very realistic to how most girls feel growing up, that the only thing boys care bout are breasts. I also learned a few things about Malta. :]

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

Right from the start, readers will fall madly in love with Teresa Tolliver (the maltese version of Georgia Nicholson, but from Canada).

It's the beginning of her 10th-grade year, and Teresa has a lot on her mind. On her to do list:

1. Try to find the solution for getting bigger boobs... err, brains.
2. Devise clever yet sultry schemes for getting AAA, Achingly Adorable Adam, to finally notice her. Also, making sure that she does not end up with the wrong guy (although you just can't tempt fate... or a friendly match up).
3. Trying to become an AN, above normal, while not going below her current status, N, normal, and ending up being an SN, sub-normal.
4. Keeping her old friends, especially her best friend, Biff, while befriending the ANs and making sure that some friends are kept a secret.
5. Surviving 10th grade - who knew physical education could be such a pain, and that school life could be filled with so many embarrassing moments?

Then there is surviving her wacky family, with a mother who won't allow her to have a cell phone; a dad who is antisocial; a sister who just became a bridezilla; and a brother who all of a sudden became an AN and completely hot... if only he knew how to share the one bathroom they have. And who can forget her even crazier grandparents, Nanna and Nannu, who enjoy the old-fashioned way a little too much.

Accompanied with the occasional conversation and acting with her Ken and Barbie dolls, the creation of multiple lists and saying what's really on her mind, Teresa becomes a fresh new voice with a humongous heart. Readers will be by Teresa's side as she discovers the angst of high school, the trial and tribulations of fitting in, family problems that include an additional member and the memory loss of another - and ultimately learning that being herself is what matters the most.

Get ready to laugh your butt off as Teresa Tolliver goes through her 10th-grade year with the alphabet.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My life from air bras to zits is about a girl named Teresa, who have a great friend named Elizabeth by known better as Biff. SHe is going to 10th grade and she has a crush on Adam, a popular AN (Above normal). There school have social classes: AN(above normal), N(normal), and SN (Sub normal). Her sister buys her a air bras that makes her have big boobs because she thinks guys like big boobs. In order to became a AN she would do anything. This problems happens a lot because of different classes in schools and many people try to change themselves to fit in better and became someone they are not. Teresa ignores her true friends to hang out with the popular girls who are using her to achieve a goal but Teresa is too busy trying to impress them. Sometimes people make stupid choices without even thinking about it.

[Shannon Vanderhyde · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I usually get into...a teen girl with a crush trying to navigate her way through school and life. I just didn't like the main character very much. She wasn't nice to anyone, including her best friend. I ended up not caring if she got the boy (actually hoping that he would run the other way!). I can usually breeze through one of these kinds of books in an evening, but my dislike for the character led me to allow myself many distratctions until I just forced myself to finish it. I will not be recommending it to anyone!

[Andrea]

This book was soo hilarious!! Its kind of serious and scary at times, but if I ad a nickel for every time I cracked up, I would be filthy rich! This book is about a 10th grade girl who wants to desperately become popular. This boo is describing the whole year! I recommend for high schoolers!

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. I liked that it depicted the way girls feel about their bodies and how self-conscious they are. This book shows you that everyone can be beautiful and with a little effort, but all-in all its just like dozens of other youg-adult books.

[Tanita Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://readersrants.blogspot.com/2008...

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot like the Georgia Nicolson series, only I prefer those books.

I will say that this book got better towards the end.

[Shirley Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay book so far
no romance yet...

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Warm, funny and very very REAL!
(My 14 year old didn't like it. But she's not into anything girly, so what did I expect?)

[Marie Hertle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was reminded what it is truly like to be a teenager, but between talking to barbie dolls and the nice neat ending, I didn't feel that it was totally realistic.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this a while ago btw!

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun summer read. Teresa is a little self-involved at the beginning, but she does evolve.

[Miss Irah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly hilarious. I still could remember what i had read that makes me laugh. This is a fun book !

[Viola Sung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny

[Zack Dortches · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was ok...no romance in it tho

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! It was a really funny book!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.