Smile Like a Plastic Daisy

by Sonia Levitin

Book Overview

A high school senior, concerned about the fight for women's rights, finds herself suspended from school and the focus of community debate following a confrontation at a swim meet during which she... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689310242
• ISBN13: 9780689310249
• Release Date: March 1984
• Publisher: Atheneum Books
• Length: 182 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Memorable

I read this book years and years ago. I was in elementary or middle school and I picked it up from the school library because it had an unusual name- no joke!"Smile like a plastic daisy, what the heck does that mean?" I thought that day.The story carried me away. I didn't read it for 'feminist theory' or anything like that (I think I was 11) I read it because I enjoyed the story. But yes, the theme of the gender double standard definatley struck a cord and stayed with me. In adition, the idea of kids being activists and standing up for their beliefs where also empowering ideals imparted by this book.This is probably the first book that I ever read that was political in any way, and nearly 20 years later, I remember that book, and I understand what it means- and even what it feels like to 'Smile like a plastic daisy.'I would recomend this book because it was a great story and it was thought provoking. It's been a long time since I read it, and I would love to read it again. Maybe then, I'll come back and tell you all a little bit more about it.Five stars!

Intro to critical thinking and feminism for young adults

Great way to get young people thinking about contemporary issues of double standards toward women; great basic conversation-starting book about critical thinking, protesting, and the costs associated with taking a stand. Although this was simple reading (grade 6-9), the issues are compelling even for a much older audience. I have never read a book that covers these issues with this amount of balance and finesse; incredibly thought-provoking. This would make for some fantastic classroom discussions with teenagers.