Girls Like Us

This is a fictional story about two young ladies who graduate from a "special education" program and begin their adult life together. The story is related in first person from the perspective of the two young ladies. I thought it was a really great story and reading experience.I purchased this book on Kindle and Audiobook and read and listened simultaneously. I am so glad that I did so. The narrators, Lauren Ezzo and Brittany Pressley, were both terrific. They assisted me with what I refer to as my "flawed inner narrator" and added completely to my reading experience.In format, not the story itself, but rather having two female protagonist narrators, this novel put me in mind of "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd.I really enjoyed this book so much. I had not been familiar with the author, Gail Giles, but I am going to look for another work of hers. Thank You...

I am a 9th grade Health teacher in Kansas. It is a required class in our district so every 14-15 yr old suffers through it. I decided to read this book to my students, a few chapters at the beginning of each class. I wasn't sure they would like it. Oh my. They are entranced. Parts are very difficult to read/hear but there are so many important aspects that need to be shared, listened to, talked about. We just finished our mental health unit. One thing we talk about is personality development: Nature v. Nurture. We talk about Biddy and Quincy. We're soon to start our sexuality unit. This will be an amazing discussion starter as we talk about sexual decision making, how to treat others, how they can start to destroy rape culture. I read this book 5 times a day and I LOVE IT.

Book #13 Read in 2015Girls Like Us by Gail Giles (YA)Giles is one of my favorite young adult authors and this book does not disappoint. Quincy and Biddy are special education students who are graduating high school and having a work/apartment program set up for them to be roommates. The two are very different but fundamentally the same...hurt and abandoned girls. This story shows that people with special needs can be successful--at life, at being friends and at being good people. A short, quick read, this book has power to it. I recommend it.http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

This is one of those rare books that draws a reader in with its first line, and for this reader--leaves her sobbing with the last page. What a journey Girls Like Us takes you through, as you root for characters so real you're sure you've met them, who become so dear to you you'll never forget them. The tension is taut in this novel, and the author's compassion and understanding for her characters with special needs shines through. How I rooted for a happy ending, but instead was given a deeper and more satisfying conclusion than I could have imagined. Masterfully done, Gail Giles. Please write a sequel for Biddy, Quincy, and Elizabeth. The world needs their voices!

What an amazing book. I was required to read this for a college class, do an analysis and a whole bunch of other things. Normally, this ruins a book for me, but not this one. I read this about three times after I was done. I did find it slightly difficult to read the book, as the girls use a dialect I am not used to reading, but by my second read-through, it was much easier.Reader beware-There are situations that happen to the girls that may trigger the reader.

I bought this book because it was a required reading for a class. I am so glad that it was! I am not sure that I would have chosen this book on my own to read but I would have been missing out. This book is a quick and easy read. Perfect for sitting next to the pool or beach. It grabbed my attention from the beginning and exceeded my expectations.

A powerful novel about a topic that isn't talked about very often: transition out of the public school system by people with disabilities. Giles takes this topic head-on and writes from the points of view of two young women with special needs. The perspective is eye-opening and very well done.As I recommend this book to everyone I know who is a reader, a teacher, or cares about "the state of the world," I thought I'd write a recommendation here. A difficult read, but a necessary one.

A wonderful, caring and empathetic story about two teenage girls and their discoveries about themselves and each other. I could not put this book down. The characters were just so well written and the story line rich and deep about lives I know nothing about, but should. This book has been nominated for all kinds of awards, and it is richly deserved​.