Paint Me a Monster

Gr 7 Up—Born to a superficial mother and a selfish dad, Rinnie is the proverbial middle child. It doesn't take long before she notices how her mother dotes upon older sister, Liz and younger brother, Evan, but neglects her. Curious and inquisitive, the protagonist is often ignored by her parents, but it's from the sidelines that she is able to surmise early on her family's breakdown. Often left in the care of others-along with her siblings-she is only ever the focus of her mother's interest when Rose is seeking Rinnie's opinion on her makeup. When the girl asks Rose why she is treated differently than her siblings, her mother responds by saying, "I created a monster." As a teen, she tries to rid herself of the "monster" with an eating disorder, while seeking love and acceptance from her housekeeper, nurse, and Gaga, her grandmother. Rinnie escapes reality by living in her dreams and finding deeper meaning through writing and art, especially when tragedy strikes during the novel's climax. Baskin takes readers through a tug of war of emotions, punctuated by short, lyrical chapters that include poems, letters, and lists. Teens will follow the protagonist's tumultuous journey from innocent little girl to heartbroken teen and eventually a brave young adult. By helping others, Rinnie discovers a kindness only she knows how to give.—Keisha Miller, South Orange Public Library, NJ