Piglettes by Clémentine Beauvais is a bold, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming young adult novel that tackles online bullying and beauty standards with courage and wit.
The story begins with a social media poll at school that labels three girls, Mireille, Astrid, and Hakima, as the “three ugliest girls” in their year. At first, they're kind of sad about it but not for long. Instead of hiding in shame, the girls decide to take control of their own story. Climbing onto their bikes, they set off on a summer road trip to Paris, to the President’s summer garden party. What follows is an unforgettable bike road trip across the country filled with unexpected friendships, media attention, and moments of both vulnerability and empowerment.
One of the good aspects of this novel is its simple, easy-to-follow plot. The story moves forward clearly and steadily, making it highly accessible for young readers while still being entertaining for adults. The clarity of the narrative allows the important themes to shine without becoming overwhelming.
While the simplicity of the plot makes the novel accessible, unfortunately, it also makes parts of the story feel somewhat flat. At times, it feels less like reading a fully immersive novel and more like reading someone’s letters recounting events. The emotional depth occasionally takes a backseat to the message, which may leave some readers wanting more complexity or character development.
I also deeply appreciated how Beauvais does not shy away from difficult or controversial topics. The book openly discusses themes like online bullying, body image and weight, periods, disability, and society’s obsession with physical appearance. These themes are handled with honesty and even humor, which makes them approachable without minimizing their seriousness.
The bike road trip is one of the most enjoyable parts of the novel. There’s something wonderfully liberating about three teenage girls reclaiming their narrative while cycling across the country, selling sausages, attracting media attention, and discovering unexpected fame along the way. The journey feels adventurous, chaotic, and empowering all at once.
At its heart, Piglettes delivers a clear and uplifting message: what truly matters is who you are on the inside, not how you look on the outside. It’s a life-affirming story about friendship, resilience, and setting yourself free from society’s narrow definitions of beauty.
Overall, Piglettes is a fun, hilarious, and empowering read that delivers an incredibly important message. It balances humor, activism, adventure, and heartfelt friendship in a way that feels refreshing and sincere.
I think this book is well-suited for younger readers because of its accessible language and engaging plot. The themes, while meaningful, are presented in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelmingly heavy. That said, older readers can absolutely enjoy it too, especially those who love stories about female solidarity, social commentary, and bold, unconventional road trips.
If you’re looking for a YA novel that blends humor, friendship, and adventure, Piglettes is definitely worth the ride.
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