What is Not a Babe about?
Sexism in the sport of surfing, and how best friends Jerri and Frida (who are so different), step up against it.
Through their own surfing skills, and turning a school project into something so much more, Jerri finds the courage not only to confront something that deeply offends her, but to courageously put aside that hurt – to save lives.
Plot summary of  (No Spoilers)
Jerri is sick of it. Despite being skilled surfers, her and her friend Frida are constantly put down, whistled at, commented on and even photographed by men – young and old.
Told to stay on the beach where they belong, or at least in the shallows, Jerri knows they are just as good, and often even better than any of the guy surfers who they wait among out on the swells to catch the next wave.
Frida is even more confident in her abilities on the waves, competing with surfers older than her in Surf Comps. Even if her sponsors provide inappropriate bikinis and wetsuits for her sport, she brushes off the catcalls, the inappropriate photos on social media, and the sexist opinions of the adult male surfers.
With a school project as the catalyst, Jerri finally sees an opportunity to portray her disgust at the way teenage girls are objectified, and made to feel somehow less because they don’t fit a stereotype. With Frida’s help they open a door for any girl who wants to surf, to take the next step.
Along the way Jerri learns about her mother’s surfing past, her father before she was born and another local tragedies. Her secret mini crush becomes something more, and together they help prevent yet another surfing tragedy in their small New Zealand Surfing-Mad town.
My thoughts
Although not a surfing fan, or even one for sea swimming, I wondered what I’d find among the pages of Sarah Johnson’s new novel. I found a tale of strength, conviction, courage and roaring ocean action.
The contrasts between best friends Jerri and Frida allow thought provoking themes to emerge, which can be applied to all sports, not just surfing – and even among non sports fans.
Jerri shies away from any attention, but when hurtful issues burn too bright within her to ignore, she steps bravely into the mix to address them. The initial animosity from an older character is intriguing, along with revelations from another about Jerri’s mum’s own surfing life.
Jerri becomes stronger throughout the novel in so many ways, and is an inspiration to herself and others around her. Readers (whether interested in surfing or not), will enjoy this multi-layered Young Adult novel.
(Thanks to OneTree House for my ARC)
Writing Style
26 Chapters – 346 Pages – In main character Jerri’s POV
FAQS
What age is it for?
Age – 12+
Where & When is it set?
Raglan, West Coast, Nth Island, New Zealand
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
Third Person / Paste Tense
Is there Violence?
No – But there are altercations among the waves
Is there any Sex?
No.
What genre is Not A Babe?
Real Life / Contemporary Young Adult Fiction
Themes
Friendship / Surfing / Sexism / Misogyny / Courage / Sport
Is it part of a series?
No
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Author
Sarah Johnson
Publisher
OneTree House
(2026, OneTree House, Aotearoa New Zealand, New Zealand Author, Friendship, Action, Sport, Girl-Power, Surfing, Waves, Ocean, Sexism, Sexist, Misogyny, Proving Yourself to yourself – not others, Wetsuits for Women, Dare)