Day 11/May 11: Read a book (at least one chapter)
The book I read was called 'Anything but Okay' by Sarah Darer Littman. I began reading it at school and brought it home. The story is about a girl name Stella who started running for class president, but after her brother, Rob; who recently returned from the military; gets in trouble defending a Sikh kid, her chances dwindle. Soon, best friend Farida is dragged into the mess.
I love this story because it deals with social justice issues. Mainly racism but there is a chapter about sexism too.
(spoiler alert from here on out!!!)
I ended up reading two chapters; 13 and 14.
Stella loses, but she does get 2nd place so it isn't a complete loss.
She thinks about joining the school paper since she can't be class prez.
She wants to hang out with Farida but can't because there's a ton of business at her parents restaurant (which is good bc earlier in the story they were being harassed (is that the word?) for being Muslim)
Sad times. Stella watches a movie and eats some ice cream since she can't hang w/ Farida. Adam (her boyfriend *eye roll*) hangs out instead.
He suggests volunteering to campaign for Jack Witham, the rival of Mayor Abbot, who is the main reason that Stella's brother is in trouble in the first place.
Speaking of her brother, he talks to his university counsellor about the whole situation, and she advises going to a group therapy session with a ton of other veterans.
Stella + her family decide to do a plea bargain (for Rob) the Monday after the governor election.
Stella tells her family about the whole campaign situation, Rob says how he's always worse than Stella and stuff, an fight (not physical) breaks out, things were said, Stella rushes to her room to consult Farida.
The two talk, Rob comes in and apologises to Stella.
Then those two talk about how life is unfair and stuff, then Rob leaves.
Rob is doing well in the therapy group by the way.
(Not about the chapters, just my opinion on the book so far:)
One thing I don't like about the book is Adam, aka the love interest/soon-to-be-boyfriend. I find his character useless as he doesn't give any depth or plot to the story at all. Like they're talking about how racism is bad, and how we shouldn't sexualise minors, and then in between Stella is just like "ʷ⁻ʷᵉʷˡ 👉👈 ʰᶦˢʰ ᵈᶦᵐᵖʷᵉˢ 🙇 ᵃʷ ᵖʷᵉᵗᵗʸ ᶜᵘᵗᵉ 🦋🦋ᵘʷᵘ🥺👉👈"
I did end up shipping Stella with someone else because I dislike Adam so much. I won't say who it is yet because he's actually a complete jerk until you learn about his 🤽deep 📖backstory™️ in chapter 12. The character development was rushed, I will admit. But I still like this ship better. Maybe I just don't like the fact that Stella told Adam (her crush/someone she barely knows) before Farida (her BEST FRIEND who she's known for YEARS), maybe it's maybelline. Who knows. I don't.