Book Review: He Numbered the Pores on My Face by Scarlet Hiltibidal

He Numbered the Pores on My Face
by Scarlet Hiltibidal

                I reviewed Afraid of All the Things: Tornadoes, Cancer, Adoption, and Other Stuff You Need the Gospel For by Scarlet Hiltibidal back in February and I enjoyed that book, (Find my review here: https://www.krystenlindsay.com/blog/afraid-of-all-the-things-tornadoes-cancer-adoption-and-other-stuff-you-need-the-gospel-by-scarlet-hiltibidal ), so I was eager to read her new book for teens.  He Numbered the Pores on My Face has Hiltibidal sharing her own teen experiences with readers to show how she understands the pressures they go through to fit in and feel accepted and how she eventually learned through the gospel that the only thing that would truly bring fulfillment was God.

Hiltibidal shares her own embarrassing moments and painful experiences such as the time a friend heard her joining in with others who were making fun of him and the hurt she experienced knowing she couldn’t take back what she did. You can also feel her pain as she shares how a guy asked her out as a joke in front of others and the whole situation of wanting to look like someone else in your class and feeling less than when you don’t feel you measure up.

Being that I also explore my own teen years for my writing, I appreciated her willingness to share those cringe-y moments with readers. It’s not easy to delve into that world of embarrassing moments and situations which you wish you would have handled better. Readers will be able to relate to her moments of wanting the “right” backpack to fit in or trying to follow a trend that ended pretty much the second she bought the item. The thought process of, “if only I had this then I would be accepted.” is one I remember vividly from my own preteen years and, just as she says, it never manages to truly satisfy. She shares scriptures showing how only God can do that.

                While the book is aimed at teens, I would recommend it for preteens and really grades 4th and up as they would get a lot out of it. I find my own readers like reading about situations before they get there themselves, which is why so many of them love reading about the high school years before they’ve even hit middle school themselves. This book would definitely benefit them as it prepares them for that teen world.

I received this book from BH Publishing and Lifeway in return for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
               
 
 

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