Girl's Girl by Sonia Feldman
Fernanda’s Note - Based on a suggestion from one of my subscribers, I am changing the format of my book reviews to include some information on the location where the story takes place. If the story takes place in a fictional location, I will resort to creative sleuthing to see if I can find anything that might lead to a real location.
Girl’s Girl by Sonia Feldman is a realistic story about what teenage girls experience today as they grow up. Faced with puberty and highly active hormones, Mina, Eleanor, and Margaret try to navigate their place in school, with each other, and with their parents’ expectations.
Mina, the protagonist of the novel, takes her parents’ trust seriously and never goes against her mother’s rules. Margaret and Eleanor have very different relationships with their mothers, and it causes friction among the girls from the start. Being considered a 'rule follower' as a teenager is anathema to death, and Mina struggles with lying the her parents.
As Margaret pushes the boundaries to explore her sexuality with boys in school, Mina begins to have feelings for Eleanor, while Eleanor quietly confuses Mina both leading her on and ignoring her at the same time. I guess you could call this a coming-of-age story for girls born after 2000.
I don’t think this story was targeted for readers my age, but my daughters were born and grew up during this timeframe. The anguish the girls feel about fitting in is spot-on for what many teenage girls and boys feel today.
I can't imagine how challenging it must be for today's youth to be bombarded by thoughts on sexuality at every turn while they are still trying to figure out what is happening to their bodies. Sadly, I don't have any suggestions on how to change the system but I am glad my daughters are finished with the hormonal development stage.
This is Feldman’s first published novel, and I commend her for tackling the subject of fitting in. Teenagers have a tough time figuring out who and what they are, and this book acknowledges that.
So, Where Is Doan, Ohio And What Can I do there?
Girl’s Girl takes place in a town called Doan, Ohio. Quick Google research indicated that the town of Doan is fictional but was likely inspired by an old neighborhood in Cleveland. According to Case Western Reserve's Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, Nathaniel Doan "was a blacksmith and in charge of the cows, oxen, and horses of the 1797 second surveying expedition of the Connecticut Land Co." Doan later built a hotel and a tavern near current day Cleveland in 1799 which ran for about fifty years..
Doan’s Corner is historically known as Cleveland’s second downtown. It was an entertainment area during the twentieth century, where vaudeville shows, restaurants, and music clubs flourished. Elvis Presley played in Doan’s Corner in 1955!
Because Doan’s Corner no longer exists, I found several fun things to do in and around Cleveland if you want to visit the area where the novel likely took place. In fact, researching for this blog got me thinking that I may need to plan a family road trip to Cleveland in the future.
Fun Activity #1 – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
If you enjoy early rock, modern rap, or any other form of modern music, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame likely has artifacts and history about the performers who made those genres great.
The building itself is beautiful, so a visit for the architecture even if you aren’t into the music is worthwhile. But really, unless you are like my dad and only listen to Mozart, there will be something at the museum for you.
Every year, the Hall of Fame inducts a new group of performers into the museum. The 2026 inductees include Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Wu-Tang Clan, Iron Maiden, Ed Sullivan, and Gram Parsons. There is something for everyone in that list.
The museum is open daily and tickets are required. If you are a planner you can purchase tickets online before you go.
Fun Activity #2 – Cleveland Botanical Garden
A botanical garden has something for everyone, and the Cleveland Botanical Garden is a manageable size, with both indoor and outdoor exhibits to visit. Unlike a museum, where you feel the need to read every panel, a botanical garden can be quite enriching just to walk around in.
The Cleveland Botanical Garden was started in 1930. Located on the grounds of the former Cleveland Zoo, it has two glasshouses and several acres of outdoor exhibits to explore. Of particular interest are the Japanese Garden, the Hershey Children’s Garden, and the Western Reserve Herb Garden.
The gardens are open every day except Monday. There is an entrance fee, and you may purchase tickets in advance.
Fun Activity #3 – Cedar Point (In Sandusky, OH)
Located on the shores of Lake Erie about an hour outside of Cleveland, Cedar Point started out as a summer community over 150 years ago. Today, it is a place where people of all ages can go for an adventure, a day at the beach and a place to sleep.
Cedar Point is known for their roller coasters. There are currently 18 of them, with one for almost every member of the family. I used to be a roller coaster junkie and would finish a ride and then race back to get in line to ride again. Sadly, my equilibrium won’t allow me to race back for a second run, but the first is still an option.
The amusement park part of Cedar Point is open from mid-May to the end of September. They also run events for Halloween. Since the rides are all outside, I would encourage you to check in advance to see if they are open.
Summing It Up
I enjoyed reading the book and have recommended it to my girls. Feldman’s story made me think about what young women and adults go through today in a way I had never considered before.
And learning about Cleveland and Nathaniel Doan was quite educational. Perhaps when I do make a road trip to Cleveland, I’ll bring Girl’s Girl with me to see if I can spot any similarities between Cleveland and the fictional Doan.
What Did You Think?
Here is your chance to leave me a note. Do you like the new format? All your thoughts are anonymous unless you type your name in the comments. Thanks for your feedback!
Comments