Thank you to NetGalley and Peachtree for providing me with an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review!

I had an idea going into this book, based on the blurb, that this was going to be a tough read for me— an eldest former daughter. I was right! “Giddy Barber Explodes in 11” focuses on the titular Giddy Barber, the eldest daughter of her family (but not the eldest child) and all the responsibilities that are placed on her sixteen-year-old shoulders because of this title. The pressures that Giddy experienced, the issues that she faced, the stressors and tension were so raw and real and well written that you couldn’t help but root for her (even when she was being a little shit, as teenaged girls are wont to do).

The book as a whole was poignant, well written, well plotted, and speaks so well to the pressures teenagers face both inside high school and outside of it. Anyone who was ever an eldest daughter should read this book, you’ll understand Giddy the way she needs to be understood.

I connected with the protagonist, Giddy, greatly. Being the one in school who seemingly has everything put together, but still struggles I thought was a great theme to explore in this book. Additionally, symbolism and intertextuality added depth throughout the story. The most interesting parts to me were when Giddy was navigating the relationships and expectations of her family members.

However, there were parts of the book that I felt started to get a bit repetitive. Mainly when Giddy was in school and the story went through what happened in each class of the day. I thought some variation in the pacing or structure could have made things more interesting in those parts.

I was just emotionally eviscerated.

From the freaking stomachaches to the nemesis named Hunter to the complete overwhelm and confusion about why everything feels like a struggle, this book ripped into my heart and dug for the truth.

It's an incredible book and I wanted to sob though the whole thing.

I absolutely adored this book. It will live in my head for so long after reading it, You cannot help but root for Giddy, and I saw so much of my younger self in her. She's that internal younger you who is so confused and scared that you just want to hug and say, "It will be okay" to.
The author did a wonderful job getting into the mind of a young teenager, creating and solving problems as only that age can. This book reminds me of literary fiction, but to place it in the young adult genre creates such a unique reading experience. I wish it went beyond just the 11 days. I could have read on and on. I HIGHLY recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Giddy Barber Explodes in 11” is a powerful exploration of a teenager’s struggle under the weight of expectations and the quest for personal happiness amidst chaos. Dina Havranek, drawing on her experience as a long-time teacher, accurately portrays the pressures faced by today’s youth, particularly those who bear heavy responsibilities at home and school. I think this book will be extremely relatable to younger readers, especially those who are the eldest children and find themselves faced with immense amounts of pressure and responsibility. The characters, especially Giddy, felt so authentic and real with their raw emotions. I found myself connecting with Giddy throughout and finding myself feeling the strong emotions that Giddy experienced.

From the outset, the story grips you with Giddy’s palpable anxiety and determination. The book is fast-paced, mirroring Giddy’s frenetic attempts to regain control of her life. The vivid depiction of her stress and desperation ensures that readers feel every bit of her turmoil, making her journey toward self-discovery and relief deeply satisfying. Giddy’s growth in the end of the book gave me a big sense of relief and made me enjoy the book even more.

Havranek’s writing excels in balancing serious themes with lighter moments of humor. Giddy’s series of bad decisions and unconventional actions are not only entertaining but also serve as a stark reminder of the lengths to which individuals will go when pushed to their limits, especially teenagers who don’t have anyone present in their lives to guide them. Giddy’s struggles were very relatable, even for me who graduated from high school over 10 years ago. The book emphasizes the importance of prioritizing one’s own happiness, even when it seems easier to sacrifice it for others. This theme is especially important for readers who may see themselves in Giddy’s shoes, feeling the pressure to hold everything together at the expense of their own well-being, which is why I highly recommend this book should be placed in MG/HS libraries and English classrooms in order to help those readers who may connect with Giddy.

One of the book’s strengths is its realistic portrayal of family dynamics and the complexity of interpersonal relationships. Giddy’s interactions with her parents and siblings are depicted with authenticity, highlighting the often-unseen burdens carried by the eldest child in a family. The introduction of opposition therapy, where Giddy tries to do something different every day, adds an interesting dimension to the plot, showcasing her attempts to break free from her routine and find a new path. However, the book does not offer easy solutions. Giddy’s eleven-day experiment is not a magical fix but a catalyst for deeper reflection and change. The conclusion, marked by a family crisis, underscores the ongoing nature of Giddy’s journey and the reality that some problems require more than just a temporary shake-up.

Overall, “Giddy Barber Explodes in 11” is an insightful and heartfelt novel that delves into the struggles of adolescence, mental health, and the importance of self-care. Dina Havranek’s compassionate and realistic approach to storytelling makes this book a must-read.

What an excellent book written by a teacher who truly understands the responsibilities and problems students have at home, at school, and with friends. Giddy’s parents both work and her mom expects Giddy to do so much around the house including preparing dinner. Giddy finds out about opposition therapy, which is to try and do something different every day, and decides to try it for ten days. Once she starts, Giddy feels different and likes doing different things every day such as sitting with different people at lunch, not answering questions in class, and not doing what’s expected of her at home. Mom gets mad at Giddy, and says I’m counting on you and Giddy says no and refuses to do what she had been doing to help out. When something happens to a family member it changes things for everyone, Did the 11 days solve anything for Giddy?

In graphic detail, the story follows Giddy on her slow descent into parent-imposed madness. For students who have never experienced such severe neglect, this would be a very eye-opening story into how some of their peers live daily. The author pulls in some great sub-resources, with both Hamlet and The Yellow Wallpaper being incorporated via English class, to really highlight similarities and differences throughout history and across socioeconomic systems.