Diary of a Chav, Grace Dent

Dent, Grace (2008).
Diary of a Chav
New York: Little Brown
9780316034838
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Fifteen-year-old Shiraz tries to imagine a life for herself beyond the limited expectations of family and peers in her working-class English neighborhood.
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Done in diary form as Shiraz has received a diary from her grandmother for Christmas, the author presents us with a very strong and realistic teen voice in the form of Shiraz. Through her diary entries, we see Shiraz and her family and friends for what they are ....“Chavs” (Chavs are the British term for what Americans would call "trailer trash"). But slowly through the persistence of a new English teacher, Shiraz begins to realize that she is capable of much more than smart ass remarks she makes in class. Interestingly, the change comes about realistically with set backs and Shiraz questioning herself and her teacher along the way. It is mostly a two week stint at a food processing plant that causes Shiraz to open her eyes and see what her life would be like if she did not stay in school to further her education and increase her chances of making a better life for herself. Light-hearted at times, Diary of a Chav is pure entertainment; the cover begs the reader to pick it up and check it out!