How Girls Are Made

Sex Education meets Euphoria in this dark contemporary novel that tackles perfectionism, emotional abuse, and the dark side of social media. Fallon is a fixer. From planning prom to organizing her college applications, she's got it all figured out...except for when her younger sister comes to her with very basic questions about sex. Shocked that she knows so little-and her fellow classmates even less-Fallon decides some practical education is in order. And Fallon isn't above practicing a little civil disobedience by creating a secret underground off-campus group. Shelby is a fighter. Having her nose broken is nothing new in her semiprofessional career...but this time it's her boyfriend who threw the punch. Now her phone is blowing up with texts from a new guy who tells her she's perfect, she's special, she's everything he's ever wanted...except for a few small details. Shelby's happy to adjust for him, because isn't that what a healthy relationship is about? Jobie is a failure. She doesn't have enough followers and her posts never go viral, no matter how hard she crushes challenges and applies exactly the right filter. But a friendly DM from a good girl just like her points her in the direction of a whole new audience of admirers. Guys who just want to talk. Guys who give her the attention she's always wanted. The lives of all three girls intersect in Fallon's secret class, rumors of which have parents up in arms. Fallon needs to keep herself anonymous, Shelby needs to keep her new boyfriend happy, and Jobie needs to keep her followers...who keep asking for more. Each girl finds herself trapped in an inescapable situation-that will leave one of them dead. .

"A blistering portrayal of girlhood; tautly written, emotionally devastating. McGinnis captures, with searing intensity, the psychological toll of growing up in a society that fails to equip girls with the knowledge, safety, or language they need to survive." - Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Keen and sharply truthful...a stellar portrait of what female teens endure." - Shelf Awareness (starred review) "Razor-sharp writing." - Kirkus Reviews "Readers looking for a grittier version of the television series Sex Education or those captivated by stories that aren't afraid to tackle big, difficult issues head-on will fly through this emotional roller coaster. Deeply affecting, this novel will stick in readers' minds long after the final heart-wrenching line." - Booklist.

Reviews

Mindy McGinnis is the author of several young adult novels, including How Girls Are Made, Under this Red Rock, A Long Stretch of Bad Days, The Last Laugh, The Initial Insult, Heroine, The Female of the Species, and A Madness So Discreet, winner of an Edgar Award. She writes across multiple genres, including postapocalyptic, historical, thriller, contemporary, mystery, and fantasy. While her settings may change, you can always count on her books to deliver grit, truth, and an unflinching look at humanity and the world around us. Mindy lives in Ohio. You can visit her online at mindymcginnis.com.