Gering Book Junkies discussion

Charlie's sister says that Sam and Mary Elizabeth have low self-esteem. Do you agree with her?
What do you think about Charlie's sister's self-esteem?
Does anyone in the book feel good about themselves?

I think that Sam and Mary Elizabeth have pretty good self-esteem actually, except, perhaps, in reference to how they feel about themselves in relation to boys/romantic relationships. While neither are the head of the class, they don't play stupid or act as if they know so little and the boys in their group know so much. They're comfortable with who they are for the most part.

Charlie's sister however, comes across as not having very high self-esteem. She stays with her boyfriend even after all that happens and her parents forbid her to see him, and she doesn't really have an answer for Charlie when he asks why she's still with him. She's actually a very smart girl academically, but that isn't apparent in how she carries herself or relates herself to others.

I'm not sure anyone in the book feels good about themselves all of the time, and some feel good about themselves much more often than others. The exception might be Bob who seems pretty happy with himself, although one might question the drinking and the pot. Everyone else though seems to have some sort of flaw or past experience that they are afraid or ashamed of, and that influences how they feel about themselves.

I agree, when I read it I thought it was a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Sherry had a good point- who does feel good about themselves in high school? Most people haven't quite figured themselves out yet, haven't found a balance.
Charlie's sister bothered me especially because she seemed to start liking her bf more when he was horrible to her. I almost wonder if there was more going on with Charlie's parents than the author lets on, because both of the kids have such problems with self-worth.