An amazing memoir by Ariel Henley about her life with Crouzon Syndrome. Ariel is startlingly honest about what she and her twin sister (Zan) went through as they had their faces completely changed throughout their childhood due to Crouzon Syndrome. The book talks about societies ideal beauty and how easy it is to be called "ugly" when you differ from that ideal.

Ariel suffered immensely, not only from the pain of surgery, recovery and the very real chance she could die, but from the ridicule she received, the mistreatment, the abuse, and the lack of courtesy from other people.

Because of the way some teachers treated her, Ariel would rebel and refuse to do her work, feeding into the belief that she was not smart (because of the way she looked). Because of the way her family talked about her body, she developed an eating disorder. Because of the way their peers belittled the sisters, Ariel held very little trust in others.

For so long Ariel and her sister believed they were chasing some standard of beauty, that their next surgery would make them "normal", "beautiful." And while some of the surgeries were life saving, often times the surgery erased the confidence they had built, erased who they were, turned them into someone they no longer recognized.

This story was heartbreaking, but it was also a story of resilience, strength, and learning to love one's self. Because, as Ariel said, "My face did not resemble the work of Picasso. I am a face for Picasso." It is her otherness that deserves to be loved and cherished, and the ideal of what is beautiful needs to change.

She fully relates to Picasso's mistresses who he mistreated, abused, and changed in his paintings. Using what he thought as deformity as a kind of control over those he "loved," without realizing what he was really displaying was his own depravity and the ugliness inside himself. It is through art, and the art of one of Picasso's mistresses, that Ariel truly begins to see herself and her worth.

I received this book in a giveaway. I really appreciated the opportunity to have this book. I received this book in a giveaway. I really appreciated the opportunity to have this book.

What an amazing book! I struggle to find nonfiction titles that my high school students want to read. This novel is not one of them. The story is engaging, fresh, and relatable to anyone who struggles with how they look. Thank you to Ariel Henley for sharing her heartfelt story and the struggles she has gone through over society's idea of beauty.

I think this book gives good representation for disabled people. It was very informative and sad at times. While, it wasn't really for me, I think everyone would benefit from reading it!

I loved the memoir parts of this, but hated the Picasso theme. Especially when she was like “I know Picasso was racist but I don’t go into it in this book other than this one page” (not a direct quote)....but it’s like, Ariel! You’re talking about how terrible beauty standards can be to the psyche and body, and you’re only going to slightly brush your fingers over the racism…? Like whiteness isn’t the ideal standard...but like everyone else said, at least she showed with a BLEEP Picasso actually was.

But back to the memoir part--she brought me right back to middle school! Her descriptions of her own life, around and apart from Crouzon, were so vivid and insightful that they not only made me reflect on my own, but made me further explore the different facets that live with, alongside, on top of, and despite of ppl’s disabilities. I think pre-teens and teens need this kind of voice.

Absolutely loved this book. It is hugely important for disabled teens to read books by and about disabled people. written for disabled people. Well written and groundbreaking.

I don't think I'm the right person for this book, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a friend!

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

I confess to choosing this book by the title. It just sounded interesting, I didn't realize it was a memoir until I read the blurb. A Face for Picasso is the memoir of Ariel (and by association her twin sister Zan) Henley - girls born in 1990 with the rare Crouzon's Disease which causes the bones in the head/face to fuse prematurely.

Ariel Henley writes with honesty, emotion, and frailty. It is moving and heart-wrenching. At the same time, it is inspirational and really fascinating to learn about the facts of her over 60 surgeries as well as what it felt like to grow up in her skin.

Sometimes I didn't love the writing-it felt a bit simple or too conversational, but I suppose that should be forgiven in a memoir!

Highly recommended.

This was a fascinating, vividly written memoir - written in a style that is easy to read, and yet so painfully honest that it can be difficult at time, in a way that makes the author's story come to life.

Born with Crouzon Syndrome, a disorder characterized by the early fusion of the sutures in the skull, Ariel and her twin sister Zan spend their childhood undergoing surgery after surgery, intended to release the fused sutures and allow their brains proper room to grow, while preparing them for future surgeries intended to normalize their appearance. Gifted with an incredibly supportive family, the twins struggle with the pain of repeated surgeries, along with the greater, if less physical, pain of the misunderstanding, derision, and prejudice of those around them, based solely on their appearance - directed at them by peers and adults alike, including a few truly misguided teachers.

This is a volume that explores what it is like to have a highly visible disability, from the inside out, as Ariel Henley tells her story in a painfully honest and incredibly descriptive way. While this memoir covers Ariel's life up through college, it focuses on middle school, and most particularly on 7the grade. This is a volume that would be beneficial, and likely fascinating, for older middle school and high school students, especially if there is the opportunity to discuss it. It is recommended for adults, especially those who work with children of any age, particularly those with disabilities of any type. I can only hope that Ms. Henley is able to apply her incredible writing ability to other stories as well as she applied it to her own.

I was initially drawn to this book because I had no idea what Crouzon Syndrome was but after this book I feel so much more educated about it and the physical and emotional toll it can take on those who have it. However, what I liked best about this book was that it wasn’t designed to be a pretty depiction of what having this syndrome was like. Instead parts of the book were difficult to read because they were so insanely painful to imagine, from the depictions of difficult surgeries to what life was like growing up being different.The writers writing made you feel as though you were right there with her, and her sister, as they went through this experience. I can’t wait to bring this book into my classroom!

I absolutely loved this book! It should be mandatory reading for high school students.

This was the first time I learned about Crouzon Syndrome and Picasso. I knew of Picasso's art but not his abusiveness. What an interesting comparison Ariel makes between how she feels about her facial appearance and the art of Picasso.

I feel the pain Ariel and Zan go through with the surgeries and the remarks from people who see them. I also feel the joyous moments when Ariel receives great news about college. It is clear the Henley family is very loving and supportive of one another.

I think Ariel would be a great author to have present at schools to share her story of strength and perseverance.

A Face for Picasso written by Ariel Henley is an intensely raw and personal glimpse into life with Crouzon Syndrome. This memoir is brutally honest about the physical and emotional struggles she faced growing up with a disability/condition that was readily apparent to those around her. She and her twin sister who also has Crouzon Syndrome underwent numerous surgeries on their faces to address the medical and aesthetic aspects of their condition. But more than that, the book describes the emotional toll all of this had on her. I too grew up with a readily apparent physical disability and am around the same age as Ariel. Therefore I can relate to the things she discusses in the book. As Ariel mentions, mental health wasn’t something that was often discussed back then. I applaud Ariel’s ability to dig deep into her past and work towards healing from the trauma she has been through. While hard to read at times, A Face for Picasso is a book that everyone should read.

Raw and harrowing, A Face For Picasso pulls zero punches. I appreciated how author Ariel Henley interspersed her personal experiences with in depth discussions of historical standards of beauty and the work of Picasso, to which she and her twin sister were cruelly compared as children. In doing so, Henley creates a narrative about living with a very rare condition relatable to a very wide audience. Not an easy read, but an important and worthwhile one.

Ariel Henley's memoir, "A Face for Picasso," is a powerful, often heart-wrenching recollection of one young woman's life and struggles with Crouzon syndrome. I'd never heard of Ariel Henley or this condition, but now I'm absolutely engrossed in her story. The themes of identity, beauty, and sisterhood are weaved elegantly throughout this book, which is broken into three sections. I'd highly recommend this book!

The world is often not kind to people who deviate from societal norms. Ariel Henley will be the first to inform you of that fact. Born with Crouzon Syndrome along with her twin sister Alixandria, Ariel and Alixandria have faced more than their fair share of bullying and torment in their lives due to how they look. Yes, the world is a cruel place, and Ariel is here to remind you of that fact in her eye-opening memoir A Face for Picasso.

Crouzon Syndrome is a disorder in which the bones of the skull fuse together before they are supposed to, leaving the afflicted child literally "no room to grow." The skull cannot expand to accommodate the child's growing eyes, teeth, and other organs. Because of this, children with Crouzon Syndrome often look as if they belong in a Picasso painting due to their distorted and exaggerated features.

Ariel and Alixandria were fortunate enough to be born into a family that could provide them with medical treatment for their condition, and thus, they faced numerous surgeries throughout their childhood in which their bones were broken to accommodate their growing bodies and their features were rearranged to help them look "more normal."

A Face for Picasso is Ariel's account of what it was like growing up with Crouzon Syndrome. She details the relentless bullying and suffering she faced due to her appearance, and even shows how she was discriminated against because of how she looked.

A Face for Picasso is an important book for our times. Although many of us will never meet someone with Crouzon Syndrome, we all have met someone who has been bullied for their appearance. Ariel's impactful story shows how destructive teasing is in children and young adults, and will hopefully make readers pause and reflect upon how they treat others.

Let's face it. Growing up is hard. Middle school years are usually the toughest for any kid,but imagine being a kid with Crouzon syndrome which affects how you look! Crouzon Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder which causes premature fusion of the skull bones.

A Face for Picasso is a powerfully written memoir by Ariel Henley. It's about the setbacks, ridicule, bullying and trauma that she and her twin sister, Zan, faced growing up and trying to live a normal life. For me it solidified what I have always known - that kids are mean! It also made me look at how disfigurement is portrayed in the media and in Hollywood. It made me think about how we are conditioned to believe that beauty is a certain image and anything outside of that is perceived to be ugly. It is also a reminder for those with any kind of medical situation to make sure they have an advocate.

I was intrigued by the Picasso theme and his life throughout the book. When Ariel was in Middle school she felt drawn to Picasso's work. It was there that she learned how he mistreated women and often painted distorted faces. She felt like his art symbolized her disfigured face.

I highly recommend this book and think it is one everyone should read!

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Fierce Reads and NetGalley for the #gifted copy of the book.

I was really interested in reading this book after seeing the description, but it just didn't grab my attention. I do think it's an important topic for teens to read about, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

I don’t usually finish books in a sitting or two, but I could not put A Face for Picasso down. It follows the early life of Ariel Henley and her twin sister growing up with Crouzon syndrome, which causes facial disfigurement. After reading her work in Disability Visibility and hearing that she was writing this memoir, I knew I had to read it.

I can’t praise Henley’s writing enough. Her voice is so powerful in this memoir that it’s hard not to feel a range of emotions while reading A Face for Picasso - and with that, emotions that will lead to meaningful change about how we view appearance and treat people with visual disabilities. There’s so much brought to light in this book that many people, such as myself, have not experienced, such as only seeing the media portraying characters with facial disfigurements as villains, being denied opportunities from our looks, or having less trust in our intelligence and skillsets - all because of how we look. I found myself angered when she was treated poorly, saddened when she was bullied, but also uplifted when she founded Girl Talk. There’s a lot to take away from A Face for Picasso and a lot to think on well after reading it.

Her journey with her relationship with the artist Picasso was another element to the story that added so much. These chapters do so much to emphasize the experiences Henley has, what she’s felt throughout these experiences, and showed how she’s grown from them too.

In conclusion, I can’t recommend this memoir enough! Henley has such a talent for telling stories, and her story is one that more people should know about.

A Face For Picasso is a riveting memoir by Ariel Henley that depicts her experience with Crouzon syndrome - a rare condition where the bones in the head fuse prematurely.⁣⁣

Henley’s book explores a multitude of themes including beauty, self-discovery, body image, and discrimination, with a tad bit of art history thrown in. I really appreciated Henley’s clear cut and descriptive writing. I felt like I was living life through her eyes and I could not look away.

This was not an easy read by any means. The ableism and discrimination Henley faced (and still faces) turned my stomach. I’m in awe that she managed to find her voice and very proud she is now sharing her story. Through her insightful words, she spreads a powerful message to those with facial differences: you are not alone.

My only complaint is I wanted to read more, especially about her life during and after college. The healing section was not nearly long enough for me and I want more. I hope she writes a sequel!

⁣⁣Content warning for graphic medical procedures, bullying, ableism, and disordered eating.⁣⁣

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for my early review copy!

When I started A Face For Picasso, I wondered "how exactly can I review someone's life?". Which, valid, right? But it turns out that it isn't so hard when what you plan to say about the book can be summarized as "I recommend this to all people everywhere". More than recommend, I wish I could require this book for all people everywhere. It's beautifully written, and the story itself is absolutely heartfelt. You can tell that the author poured her soul into telling the world her story, and I wish I could properly express how much it moved me.

The author does a tremendous job of writing her story in a way that is beyond engaging. Add to it, she is such a fantastic storyteller that I felt immersed in each moment she tells us about, each feeling she's experiencing. I bought this book as soon as it was released, to share with my whole family. For my son with a craniofacial syndrome of his own, and for my daughter who is often unsympathetic to his struggles. The book also made me realize how imperative it is that I am my son's advocate. That I follow his lead when it comes to surgical procedures, that I always, always keep lines of communication open.

As you read Ariel's story, you'll be enraged at how she and her sister were treated, far too often. People can be cruel- not just kids, people, because make no mistake, there are many adults who let these women down along the way. I also loved how insightful the author was- not just about the world around her, but her own traits that she needed to work on. Truly, this story blew me away, and I am so, so thankful to have read it- and to be able to share it with my kids.

Bottom Line: Every single human should read this book, full stop. Truly the best memoir I have ever read, by a large margin.

P.S.: Did you know that Picasso was the worst? Cause wow, that guy was the worst. Thanks to the author for all of the info so I can properly hate that dude.