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afrokyhn's review
3.0
it was a mixed experience, I really liked some of the stories, and then I disliked others.
msbethreads's review
4.0
Lovely compilation. The short stories were all different genre and took place in a variety of places: modern day, distant planets, mystical forests. All the endings were happy/triumphant (at least for the main character) and it was a great read. I’d say it’s YA only because of the age of the characters (they all seem to be between 13 and 18-ish). I'm going to recommend it for my nieces - the body positivity was fabulous.
becandbooks's review
3.0
Trigger warnings:
I loved everything that this anthology stands for and what fiction like this means for young readers. But sadly, as a whole, this collection largely felt repetitive when considering the majority of the stories. Many of the stories follow a typical plot of a young fat main character overcoming and/or being accepted in the face of society's ugly view of larger bodies.
But this doesn't mean that there weren't some absolute standouts that I truly want you to read. In particular, Shatter is a stunning sci-fi short that tackles that becomes so much more hard-hitting than you would originally expect. Or Breathe You In, which may be one of my favourite fairytale retellings of all time.
Newbould has put together something that is critical for all young readers, even if not every story hit me the way I wanted. If you are looking for your next anthology, this should definitely be considered.
Individual ratings
Guilt Trip by Claire Kann 3.5/5
Shatter by Cassandra Newbould 4.5/5
Prom Queers by Alex Gino 4/5
Dupatta Diaries by Nafiza Azad 3/5
Food is Love by Chris Baron 3.5/5
Orion's Star by Catherine Adel West 3/5
Weightless by Sheena Boekweg 3/5
Outside Pitch by Kelly deVos 2/5
Filling the Net by Monique Gray Smith 3/5
A Perfect Fit by Jennifer Yen 3/5
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire by Rebecca Sky 3.5/5
Letters to Charlie Brown by Francina Simone 1/5
love spells & lavender lattes by amanda lovelace 4.5/5
Breathe You In by Hillary Monahan 5/5
Unpleasant Surprises by Linda Camacho 3/5
Letting Go by Renee Watson 4/5
Spoiler
car accident, death, domestic abuse, fatmisia, body shaming, toxic diet culture, drowning, murderI loved everything that this anthology stands for and what fiction like this means for young readers. But sadly, as a whole, this collection largely felt repetitive when considering the majority of the stories. Many of the stories follow a typical plot of a young fat main character overcoming and/or being accepted in the face of society's ugly view of larger bodies.
But this doesn't mean that there weren't some absolute standouts that I truly want you to read. In particular, Shatter is a stunning sci-fi short that tackles that becomes so much more hard-hitting than you would originally expect. Or Breathe You In, which may be one of my favourite fairytale retellings of all time.
Newbould has put together something that is critical for all young readers, even if not every story hit me the way I wanted. If you are looking for your next anthology, this should definitely be considered.
Individual ratings
Guilt Trip by Claire Kann 3.5/5
Shatter by Cassandra Newbould 4.5/5
Prom Queers by Alex Gino 4/5
Dupatta Diaries by Nafiza Azad 3/5
Food is Love by Chris Baron 3.5/5
Orion's Star by Catherine Adel West 3/5
Weightless by Sheena Boekweg 3/5
Outside Pitch by Kelly deVos 2/5
Filling the Net by Monique Gray Smith 3/5
A Perfect Fit by Jennifer Yen 3/5
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire by Rebecca Sky 3.5/5
Letters to Charlie Brown by Francina Simone 1/5
love spells & lavender lattes by amanda lovelace 4.5/5
Breathe You In by Hillary Monahan 5/5
Unpleasant Surprises by Linda Camacho 3/5
Letting Go by Renee Watson 4/5
Note: Review copy received from NetGalley. This does not impact opinions within this review.
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ari76's review
3.0
It's hard to rate short story collections as whole, but 2.5 starts rounded up to 3 feels like a fair representation of my enjoyment. It was refreshing to see literature centered around the experiences of fat folks, primarily fat youth. Like others though, I found myself torn about wanting to read stories that detail the realities of living fat (e.g., having difficulties finding clothes that fit, constant commentary from family, friends and others, insecurity) and stories that detail a fat person's reality. There's need (and space) for both, but I think the collection tended toward the former which made me less enthused about reading it sometimes. That being said, there were some gems! My favorites were Prom Queers, Orion's Star, Filling the Net, Unpleasant Surprises, and Letting Go. While most of these stories do mention anti-fat rhetoric/actions, they did so in a way that gave me a peek into the whole person and their desires. For example, Orion's Star deals with insults about the MC's fatness, but also talks about how that fits into broader family dynamics and the MC's dreams. Honorable mentions are Guilt Trip, Outside Pitch (though Mom having no repercussions was a JOKE and unbelievable), and the creepiness that is Breath You In.
In short, I'm glad this exists and authors about being thoughtful about the experiences of different characters. I also expected more fabulosity, so I'll look out for more works doing just that.
In short, I'm glad this exists and authors about being thoughtful about the experiences of different characters. I also expected more fabulosity, so I'll look out for more works doing just that.
anjelica's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
koreykit's review against another edition
3.0
About 3/4 of the stories were 4 or 5 stars, I didn't vibe with a few of them. I also wish that there wasn't fatphobia in almost every story. Sometimes I just want to read about a badass fat person without also having to read other characters disparaging their weight. I loved Weightless and Prom Queers. I recommend not reading them all in one sitting, some of the stories brought up body shame in me, which was the opposite of what I was hoping for in this anthology
crabbytaco's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
megs_s's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
brinastewart's review
3.0
I read some of the reviews and I was surprised at what they had to say. I think because it was they didn't like the negative talk/view of the stories? I am guessing so, I can be wrong but that was the idea I had when reading them. I think it painted an accurate portrait of what some fat people come across and the self talk that they have. I liked that they didn't make it all pretty and confident and accepting because some of us had to work and are still working on those... some are more familiar with the negative. I think it is important for readers to try and understand those situations and struggles.
I have not read a compilation of short stories in a very long time and this was a nice one to read. My favorites are 'Dupatta Diaries' , 'Outside Pitch', and 'Perfect Fit'.
I have not read a compilation of short stories in a very long time and this was a nice one to read. My favorites are 'Dupatta Diaries' , 'Outside Pitch', and 'Perfect Fit'.
samanthamurk's review
4.0
YA Fiction, Short Stories, LGBTQ, Body Positivity
This book is a compilation of short stories about fat teens in a variety of situations. Many of the characters are queer, and many are BIPOC.
I did enjoy this book however, I didn’t expect so much fat phobia. I assumed there would be some obviously since sadly that is the reality of being fat. But, I was not expecting so much from the characters themselves, and their loved ones. That being said I do think this is good representation and I would love so much to read more about each character.
I loved this book, each character was unique and likeable. Each story was well written and interesting.
This book is a compilation of short stories about fat teens in a variety of situations. Many of the characters are queer, and many are BIPOC.
I did enjoy this book however, I didn’t expect so much fat phobia. I assumed there would be some obviously since sadly that is the reality of being fat. But, I was not expecting so much from the characters themselves, and their loved ones. That being said I do think this is good representation and I would love so much to read more about each character.
I loved this book, each character was unique and likeable. Each story was well written and interesting.