
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the transition from childhood insecurities to the weight of adult responsibilities. It is particularly helpful for girls who have overcome past struggles with body image or self-esteem but now find themselves facing complicated ethical dilemmas in their first serious relationships. The story follows Elsie, who has transformed from the fat girl of fifth grade into a slender seventeen year old, yet still carries the internal shadows of her younger self. As Elsie navigates a steady relationship with her boyfriend Cracker and manages her first job, she is confronted with a difficult moral choice regarding her boss's dishonesty. This narrative models how to maintain personal integrity and set boundaries even when it feels socially risky. It serves as an excellent bridge for discussing how our past identities influence our current choices and the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it might cost us a comfortable situation.
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Sign in to write a reviewMain character witnesses workplace fraud and must weigh the cost of honesty.
References to past bullying and childhood insecurities regarding weight.
The book touches on body image issues and past bullying (direct, realistic). It also deals with ethical corruption and white-collar crime (secular). The resolution is realistic, emphasizing that doing the right thing has consequences but leads to personal growth.
A high schooler who feels like an underdog or 'late bloomer' and is currently navigating the pressures of keeping a job or maintaining a long-term relationship while trying to figure out their own moral compass.
Parents should be aware of some dated 1980s social norms, but the ethical core is timeless. Review the scenes regarding the pharmacy fraud to help discuss workplace ethics with your teen. A parent might see their child struggling to speak up against a peer or an authority figure who is doing something wrong, or notice their teen is overly reliant on a romantic partner for validation.
Younger teens will focus on the romance and the 'glow up' aspect of Elsie's journey. Older teens will resonate more with the career-related stress and the complex decision to whistle-blow.
Unlike many YA novels that focus purely on romance, this book spends significant time on workplace ethics and the lingering psychological effects of childhood obesity, making the 'transformation' feel earned rather than magical.
Seventeen and In-Between follows Elsie Edwards, the protagonist of DeClements' previous books, as she navigates her senior year of high school. The story focuses on her steady relationship with Cracker and her job at a local pharmacy. The central conflict arises when Elsie discovers her employer is involved in insurance fraud. She must decide whether to keep quiet to preserve her job and status or risk everything to do the right thing, all while managing her own lingering insecurities about her appearance and worthiness of love.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.