Earth Hates Me: True Confessions from a Teenage Girl

Gr 9 Up—For 16-year-old Karp, life consisted of going to school, practicing for the ACT, performing improv comedy, and writing this book for her peers to help them navigate high school. Karp uses her story as a template for those who want to make it out of their teens with their dignity and self-esteem intact. Raised by a single mom, Karp is Jewish, lives in Manhattan on the upper west side, and attends a huge public arts school in the city. She states quite frankly that she can only speak to what she knows and what she has experienced, but she provides advice on many subjects including: social media and bullying; love and unrequited love; pressure from family, school, and peers; feminism; friendships; and family life. She encourages readers to find their own voice and use it to be a changemaker; she has strong opinions and does not fear expressing them. The writing is clear and straightforward with a voice that will appeal to young people. There are many current pop culture references as well as mentions of older TV shows and movies that Karp loves.