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trix21's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
eh.
libwinnie's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to love this book since I am a sucker for body positive books. But this one just didn't sit right with me. I appreciated that the author made issues around weight and size complex and multifaceted, and the deeply felt pain around the bullying Ari experienced was a truly visceral experience. But, I hate when books tie losing weight to a better life experience and I thought this book really walked that line a little too closely.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more will be found on my blog on 1/15: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This middle grade novel in verse chronicles a seventh grade boy’s struggle with his weight, but it also goes much deeper than that. While, on the surface, Ari’s issues stem from his weight and the bullying that comes with it, the underlying issues that have led to his unhealthy eating are at this story’s forefront. Ari sees his family breaking apart, he has trouble adjusting after a move and he feels like an outsider in almost every area of his life (even in his religion—he’s trying to prepare for his bar mitzvah, but he’s already a year late, and he has no real support from his family).
Baron’s verse is used beautifully to describe Ari’s uncomfortableness in his own skin: the way his clothes feel because they don’t fit him right, but also the way his self doesn’t seem to fit the image everyone has molded of him. After a particularly nasty bullying incident, Ari is put on a strict diet and he loses weight—but it’s not until he takes control of his own life and his own destiny that he starts to feel true change. I will say that part of Ari’s transformation is physical, so if you’re sensitive about the concept that weight loss is helpful and/or necessary, this book might not be for you. And I’ll confess that there were moments in the book where I worried that too much emphasis was being put on his strict diet. But Ari’s real growth comes from his realization that his outer self doesn’t define who he is as a person and the book shows his journey toward self-love, whatever the number on the scale might say.
This middle grade novel in verse chronicles a seventh grade boy’s struggle with his weight, but it also goes much deeper than that. While, on the surface, Ari’s issues stem from his weight and the bullying that comes with it, the underlying issues that have led to his unhealthy eating are at this story’s forefront. Ari sees his family breaking apart, he has trouble adjusting after a move and he feels like an outsider in almost every area of his life (even in his religion—he’s trying to prepare for his bar mitzvah, but he’s already a year late, and he has no real support from his family).
Baron’s verse is used beautifully to describe Ari’s uncomfortableness in his own skin: the way his clothes feel because they don’t fit him right, but also the way his self doesn’t seem to fit the image everyone has molded of him. After a particularly nasty bullying incident, Ari is put on a strict diet and he loses weight—but it’s not until he takes control of his own life and his own destiny that he starts to feel true change. I will say that part of Ari’s transformation is physical, so if you’re sensitive about the concept that weight loss is helpful and/or necessary, this book might not be for you. And I’ll confess that there were moments in the book where I worried that too much emphasis was being put on his strict diet. But Ari’s real growth comes from his realization that his outer self doesn’t define who he is as a person and the book shows his journey toward self-love, whatever the number on the scale might say.
jaij7's review against another edition
4.0
Great book for middle schoolers. Not sure there are any books like this and it is definitely needed. Many kids could use this book as I am sure they would identify with the main character's body image issues.
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
“The life in my head seems/so different from the life outside,/where I am so big/that everyone stares,/but no one sees the real me.”
earlybirdie94's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty boring. Nothing really happens and it’s a story that’s been told over and over. It reads between YA and middle grade. The diet he follows isn’t good at all and worrying, instead of learning a healthy way to lose weight it was a crash diet. Which don’t last long for weight loss. Kids today have obesity issues and should be taught that it’s okay to love yourself but should be a healthy weight for your body type.
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
4.0
“The life in my head seems/so different from the life outside,/where I am so big/that everyone stares,/but no one sees the real me.”
kiperoo's review
5.0
What a gorgeous book! There is so much to this story, all circling around Ari's search for himself beyond his weight (which is certainly a piece of him). From painful moments that include bullying and self-harm to the highs that come from time spent with friends, Ari gradually becomes comfortable in his own skin and worthy of all the love, including self-love. Such a great story to tell in verse, with lovely images peppered throughout. Absolutely loved this!
ginny23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
maria_elisabeth's review against another edition
3.0
2,5⭐ - It was fine
I think the idea was good, writing was good and the message was something that many can relate to, if you are chubby/were chubby in school.
But it was a bit repetitive on the subject, which made me bored....
I think the idea was good, writing was good and the message was something that many can relate to, if you are chubby/were chubby in school.
But it was a bit repetitive on the subject, which made me bored....