North of Beautiful is Justina Chen Headley’s third book, and she just keeps getting more and more awesome. The protagonist of this novel, Terra Rose Cooper, is a girl who works hard to keep her body perfect, but that’s not what makes strangers stop and stare. Terra has a port wine stain covering the left side of her face. This blemish is all that many people notice, and it’s taken a toll on her life.
Another less-than-perfect aspect of Terra’s life is her overly controlling father. Terra can’t wait to escape to college three thousand miles away from him, but this is more complicated than it seems. Everything is always more complicated than it seems. Oh, and there’s also a romance aspect to this book–Terra meets Jacob and is falling for him, even though she’s already got a boyfriend who everyone thinks is perfect.
The backdrop of the book, so to speak, is Terra’s father’s profession. He is a cartographer, and location is a big part of this book. There’s maps (both actual place maps, and maps of a more artistic sort), geocaching (which I’d never heard of, but it sounds pretty awesome), travel, and Terra’s desire to get far away from her father. This is present throughout the book, and I really liked that aspect of it–it’s part of what made North of Beautiful stand out so much. It’s an original way of looking at a story that is really fairly common, in its most basic aspects. Terra’s port wine stain was part of what she had to overcome in this story, and that was also unique to this story.
There are many themes to this book. It’s a book about finding yourself, finding your way, finding your voice, finding real beauty, finding love…It’s about searching and finding and journeying, in a figurative and literal sense. And I loved it. I loved the wonderfully human characters. I loved the originality of this story that is, yes, in some ways predictable, but still amazingly unique. I loved Justina Chen Headley’s gorgeous prose, the way she makes Terra’s voice really come alive on the page. In case you couldn’t tell, I found North of Beautiful to be absolutely brilliant. It’ll be out in February 2009.
August 20, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I just got this book the other day! I loved Justina’s first two books and am so excited to get to this one whenever I do.
It’s a good thing I did have an ARC of it, or else I’d be like “SO. JEALOUS.”
August 21, 2008 at 3:22 pm
I too loved this book and I’m sure that others will be equally impressed with the “realness” of the characters, the wisdom of the plot, and the quality of writing.
August 24, 2008 at 12:32 pm
This sounds like such a wonderful book. I love the title.
August 24, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Sounds like a must read – thanks!
August 28, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I’ll be looking for it…
August 29, 2008 at 10:53 pm
[…] Framed (Sense and Sensibility)23. Framed (From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler24. Jocelyn (North of Beautiful)25. Jocelyn (The Spellman Files & Curse of the Spellmans)26. SuziQoregon (Harry Potter and the […]
September 2, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Definitely sounds really interesting! I’ll have to check it out. :)
November 3, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I’ve been reading this this afternoon, and I agree. Justina’s books are both intelligent and compelling.
December 15, 2008 at 4:28 pm
[…] up is North of Beautiful. Justina Chen Headley’s wonderful novel is about as far from an issue book as there is, but […]
January 15, 2009 at 11:02 pm
This book was so beautiful. Everything about it was truthful, vivid, realistic and enthralling. I really loved it, and read it in one sitting. It’s a must read.
July 26, 2012 at 10:18 pm
yea i agree it is one of my favorite books of all times and let me tell you i have read more than a few books loved it!!!!!!! you got to read it
February 13, 2009 at 11:00 pm
[…] new book, North of Beautiful (teen book review here) follows her other two YA lit picks that poignantly tap into girls’ psyches with realism through […]
February 14, 2009 at 3:24 pm
[…] YA lit author and readergirlz co-founder, has a new book out called North of Beautiful that TeenBookReview calls, “not an issue book by any means” but “awesome,” fresh, and real. (the lead character […]
May 25, 2009 at 8:48 pm
AMAZING BOOK
June 1, 2009 at 12:43 pm
are you going to have a saga how terra and jacob turn out is her mom is going to return with his dad i like this book finished in two days
June 17, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I love this book! At the very begining it was boring, until she met Jacob, then it got really good! I’m only 12 but iv always read at a higher level and i love books like this!
July 26, 2012 at 10:20 pm
me to!!! i am 12 and i loved it (13 in october)
July 12, 2009 at 9:37 am
gosh! very powerful and i’d love it!
July 28, 2009 at 1:08 pm
North of Beautiful is my favorite book. I picked it up at the library and couldn’t put it down–I actually started reading it there! But sadly I don’t own it. Which is why I am asking if anyone remembers what the artistic term was in the book. You know, the one in French? It was terrible beauty, or pretty ugly. Joli something. Please email me at firstsightx@live.com to let me know what it is. Please, please please :)
August 1, 2010 at 10:42 am
Jolie laide (French. In elisa’s store page 301)
August 11, 2009 at 10:59 pm
I could NOT stop reading it after I started. I love this book.
August 13, 2009 at 5:34 pm
tried to read this book & couldn’t get into it.
December 31, 2010 at 2:13 pm
OMG i felt the same way! I think its super boring but i have to read it for extra credit in Language Arts. I just tottaly agree on how u feel about the book.
April 16, 2013 at 7:47 pm
THE BOOK WAS AMAZING I LOVED IT I TOTALLY DISAGREE
August 21, 2009 at 1:01 am
hmm. Odd that the mark is supposed to be on the left side of her face yet the cover hides the right… is that a mistake maybe?
March 13, 2010 at 11:26 pm
no, it’s not a mistake. on the very first page of the very first chapter, it says and i quote “but who notices pearly whites when a red stained birthmark stretches across the broad plain of my right cheek?”
December 31, 2010 at 2:15 pm
but in all the summeries it always says that she has a port-wine stain that covers her left cheek.
August 22, 2009 at 7:58 am
that alomost the same cover as evermore by alyson noel
August 22, 2009 at 7:13 pm
OH MY GOODNESS!
This book is so amazing with wonderful characters that you come to love[or hate] the moment you meet them C:
October 9, 2009 at 8:18 am
i read it and i was taken away!!! one of th best books ever!!!
November 8, 2009 at 9:27 pm
This book took my breath away. Not like most other teenage love novels, it has an amazing story line & amazing characters. Justina Chen Headley’s style of writing is amazing! It’s a must read. :)
November 11, 2009 at 5:24 am
Liked the book and it’s message, but not really happy with the ending. I would have liked to know what her mom decided to do, stay or leave her crappy dad. How about her relationship with her brothers?
December 30, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I felt the same way about the ending. It leaves you hanging and wondering.
December 30, 2009 at 6:28 pm
to leave room for a sequel maybe?
April 16, 2013 at 7:49 pm
I think there needs to be a sequel
January 9, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I really want to read this!
February 11, 2010 at 1:15 am
[…] year, but it’s a good solid pick. North of Beautiful got lots of good buzz from everywhere: Teen Book Review, Presenting Lenore, S. Krishan’s Books, Miss Erin, and many […]
March 9, 2010 at 11:03 pm
The french term, that was first described as ‘pretty ugly’ and then described in much better detail by Elisa, is ‘jolie laide’. :)
March 23, 2010 at 10:21 pm
This book is AMAZING!!
I love it.
But i wish i would of read it all in one week. :/
because i got lost a lot.
But it’s a must read for those who haven’t done so!(:
April 24, 2010 at 2:53 am
I read this book as part of a class assignment, and I’m so glad I did. I loved this book, every single part of it. It’s a MUST READ. There’s no words to really describe how much I loved this book.
June 16, 2010 at 12:36 pm
i hated this book………
December 31, 2010 at 2:17 pm
AMEN sista!
November 29, 2011 at 11:19 am
U DUMBASSS
April 16, 2013 at 7:51 pm
THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING U NEED TO READ IT AGAIN BECAUSE TO ME WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LOVED THAT BOOK
July 10, 2010 at 12:10 am
This book was amazing. I just finished it today. Ive always wanted to go to China and this made me want to even more and when i get there adopt a little girl. EVERY one should read this. is shows true values and emotions. It shows the pain people wwho are “flawwed” go through. God created each person perfectaly to fit a certain plan. It doesnt matter how we look. Its what is inside is what is beautiful
July 24, 2010 at 6:11 am
Hey, i love north f beautiful. i’m in love with Doughy Samson, and i know how she feels, cause i’m already with Paul johns.
I love them both so…i’ve got two!
July 24, 2010 at 6:13 am
Yes, Melle, i’m in your class at school! And you stole Doughy from me! How could you? i trusted you!
July 24, 2010 at 6:14 am
Ugh-Janine, i’m so over you. just cause you aren’t drop dead gorgeous like me dosn’t mean you can wronly accuse me of boy theft! i won him fare and square and that’s something you can’t change!
November 29, 2011 at 4:17 pm
You go Girl!!!
July 24, 2010 at 6:15 am
Hey, you two, calm down, i don’t know much about this but, don’t blow you’re cool darlings!
July 24, 2010 at 6:17 am
Stay out of this cass, you don’t want to get involved. this is between me and Janine
July 24, 2010 at 6:18 am
you know what?
I don’t want to talk to you! But trust me, i will get doughy back-and maybe even steal paul! See how you like it!
July 24, 2010 at 6:18 am
Don’t you dare try!
I’m serious! Please, Janine, i worked so hard!
July 24, 2010 at 6:20 am
i’d like to whoo-hoo!
November 29, 2011 at 11:25 am
WTF, BOOK BLOG NOT SEX BUDDIES FUCK OFFFF
July 24, 2010 at 8:54 pm
I am in love with harry potter.
i begged him to marry me.
he just pushed me away.
then i smiled.
and laughed.
so will you.
November 29, 2011 at 11:21 am
IS THIS RELATED TO THE DAMN BOOK!!!!! NOOOOO I DIDNT THINK SO SOOO FUCK OFFFF
October 14, 2010 at 2:58 pm
i am just getting into this book so hopefully its good
October 19, 2010 at 5:44 pm
This book was very inspiring. I also loved the moral coming from this book; It’s all about finding true beauty and it makes you understand that there is beauty everywhere around you. Very good book. :)
October 27, 2010 at 3:47 pm
read it! love it!
November 3, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I think i’ll like this book, cause well i loveee, love story and I just can’t miss it. I’m really looking forward to it!
March 6, 2011 at 9:22 pm
I didn’t really like this book, i prefer other ones such as Stepanie Meyer’s Twilight saga. No pun intended to any of you.
March 14, 2011 at 2:31 pm
it is good so far even thoe im only on page like 23 lol but i meen i got it at my schools lybrary and im in middle school so its a good book if we have it in the lybrary
April 16, 2011 at 4:12 pm
I loved this book the ending was amazing and I couldnt wait until the next pages. Great job Justine
April 19, 2011 at 3:40 pm
On the right side of her face… It’s on the first page
April 19, 2011 at 3:44 pm
This is a great book… It’s hard to get started and alot of times I found myself flipping to the middle but when I saw that I would go back bc it has a great hook! Awesome job justina!!
July 6, 2011 at 6:52 pm
i agree!!!!!!!!!!!
July 6, 2011 at 6:40 pm
I absolutely loved this book. it has great morals! I have to do a book report on it and i was wondering if anyone knew on what page the narrator says something to the affect “he knew me in all the ways that truly mattered…”. I remember reading it but i cannot find it again. please help if you can! i would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!!!!!
October 27, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Pleassee check out my new site! its: bookboard.webs.com!!
OH! and this book is extremelyyyyyyyyyyy good!
November 6, 2011 at 4:51 pm
who were the major characters? and describe them.
November 29, 2011 at 4:23 pm
The major characters Jacob,Terra,and Terra’s Mother. Terra is a very self conscous girl, Jacob is goth and is sweet, and Terra’s mother is obeses
November 29, 2011 at 11:18 am
I LOVED NORTH OF BEAUTIFUL!!!
April 16, 2013 at 7:43 pm
SO DID I THE BOOK WAS AWESOME
January 2, 2012 at 5:23 pm
How to say I Love You In Spanish…
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July 21, 2012 at 3:21 pm
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April 16, 2013 at 7:42 pm
I think that Justina Chen Headly should make a sequel to North Of Beautiful because I LOVED the book
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