How to Build a Girl

Set in 1990, "How to Build a Girl" follows fourteen-year-old Johanna Morrigan as she reinvents herself as the bold, unapologetic Dolly Wilde after a public mishap, aiming to escape her humble circumstances through writing and daring adventures. By sixteen, she immerses herself in the punk rock scene, navigating relationships, fame, and self-identity with humor and honesty. The novel is a witty, heartfelt exploration of self-discovery and the challenges of reinventing oneself, echoing themes of youthful rebellion and personal growth.