Inside Out Girl
by Tish Cohen
List Price: $13.95
Pages: 352
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780061452956
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Inside Out Girl is the story of Rachel, a single, working mother of two, who begins dating a man with a learning disabled daughter, much to her children’s chagrin.
Rachel’s life is anything but calm. She’s a single mother of two and publisher of a sinking Parenting magazine left to her by her father. Although she tries to be easy going, she’s constantly aware of the statistical dangers lurking around every corner just waiting to damage herself and her children. So it is out of character to say the least when she pulls over on the side of a busy highway to help a man and his quirky daughter change their tire.
The quirky young girl, Olivia, actually has an NLD (non-verbal learning disorder) and is the most made-fun of child in Rachel’s children’s school, know as the “inside out girl” since she often shows up to school with her clothes on wrong. So it is to her son and daughter’s dismay when Rachel begins dating the inside out girl’s widowed father, Len. But when Len learns he has a brain tumor and short time left to live, he’s desperate to find a suitable parent for his wild, special, and accident-prone little girl. Along the way, Rachel unravels a mystery from her own past and learns to love and respect every aspect of her children’s lives, including her daughter’s crush on the girl next door.
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1. Rachel Berman gave up an infant when she was very young. Would committing a similar act, either by choice or by not, change the way you parent subsequent children? Would you tell your children about their missing sibling?
2. Do you believe a teenager who gives up her baby for adoption is incredibly selfless or selfish? If you were in Rachel’s position as a teen, faced to do the same, do you think you might regret giving up the infant or would you feel you offered the child a better life?
3. Rachel’s teenage daughter Janie eventually reveals herself to be a lesbian. If a child of yours were to tell you he or she was gay, how would you feel? What, if anything, would change in your parent-child relationship?
4. This story is populated by children. If Rachel had never had children, how would her relationship with Piper differ? How would it differ if Piper had never been penniless?
5. Bullying is a central theme of the book. If you were the parent of a child involved in bullying another, how would you react? And as you reprimand your child for his or her actions, would the slightest part of you be secretly relieved your child was in the position of power vs. weakness?
6. As a result of giving up her firstborn, Rachel is petrified of losing her remaining children. What role does Dustin play in changing his mother? Have you ever felt overly protective of your own kids? If so, did anything in your past provoke this?
7. Len’s parents must relinquish the proposed guardianship of Olivia to Rachel. Do you think they would be accepting of this? As a grandparent, would you?
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"Inside Out Girl had me from the very first page. Each character is richly drawn and the story poignant and tender. Olivia is a memorable character who will stay in my heart for a long, long time."
— Patricia Wood, author of Lottery
"Inside Out Girl is brimming with heart, spirit, and most of all, hope. Tish Cohen has written a life-affirming novel about the families we choose, those that are chosen for us, and the possibility of second chances."
— Michelle Richmond, New York Times bestselling author of The Year of the Fog
"A spirited, fast-paced novel, Inside Out Girl is rich in character and heart."
— Marti Leimbach, author of Daniel Isn't Talking
"Inside Out Girl is a wise, witty gem, populated with characters who will live with each of us long after the last page has been turned. Olivia Bean has taken her place alongside my favorite literary heroes."
— Michael Palmer, New York Times Bestselling author of The First Patient
