Girls Like Us

Giles, Gail. Girls Like Us. 2014. 210p. ISBN 9780763662677. Available as an eBook on Overdrive.

Quincy and Biddy just graduated from high school in Texas. Biddy’s brain lacked oxygen at birth. Quincy was assaulted by her stepfather, who slammed a brick in her face, breaking an eye socket and leaving her permanently disfigured. Both of them have difficulty learning. Quincy can read slowly, but can’t write. Biddy can’t even read. Just because they are special ed students doesn’t mean that they don’t understand what is going on around them.

Since both of them are 18, they lose access to the foster care system for Quincy, and for her unforgiving grandmother for Biddy. In needs of housing, their social worker places them in the house of Miss Elizabeth, who has a small apartment for them next to her mansion. In exchange for food and lodging Biddy will help Elizabeth with her exercises and will keep house. Quincy will work at the market, and cook. Whereas Biddy is thrilled with the arrangement, Quincy is not enthralled. Everyone at school knew that Biddy was a “slut,” and she’s concerned that boys will come around calling on her.

A fighter, Quincy doesn’t put up with crap, but she is a hard worker. When she is raped by a co-worker who had previously assaulted her and gotten fired, Quincy doesn’t know how to deal. But Biddy does, because it happened to her too back in 7th grade. As both girls share details of their attacks, Quincy realizes that Biddy and Miss Elizabeth have truly become her family, and that she will never be alone again, moved from one foster home to another.

Told through diaries that both girls are keeping on recording devices, the reader is exposed to the bittersweet existence of those who think differently through no fault of their own. Compassion goes a long way to support those growing up in a violent and cruel world that doesn’t look beyond the superficial.