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Book Review By Susan Coffey
Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

Matt Donaghy is "Big Mouth." A high school junior, he makes jesting remarks to friends in the cafeteria about blowing up the school and killing a million people. He is reported to the principal by unidentified students. The principal calls the police. He is interrogated but released and not charged. This is thanks to Ursula Riggs "Ugly Girl." Against the wishes of her parents, she tells the principal that she also overheard the remarks and that they were in no way meant seriously. Ursula is actually very sensitive, but projects a tough exterior to protect herself.

Thanks to rumors and media coverage, the incident is not forgotten, and Matt struggles to deal with the suspicions and avoidance from peers, teachers and even his family. He reaches out to Ursula via e-mail and phone calls. She must overcome her own fear of getting hurt to connect with Matt so that a friendship can develop. Together they are able to deal with and overcome the hostility of their community, and one family in particular, as Matt's parents pursue a law suit.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book? - thoughtful
Time/era of story - 2000+ (Present Day)
Kids growing up/acting up? Yes
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Age group of kid(s) in story: - high school
Wild kid(s)? - committing crimes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - a teen
Ethnicity/Nationality

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 ()
United States Yes
The US: - Northeast
Small town? Yes

Writing Style
Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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