Reviews

Husky by Justin Sayre

migimon2002's review against another edition

5.0

What a sweet little book. I appreciated the strong first-person narrative, as it made for a smooth and engaging read. I also enjoyed that the protagonist - compared to those portrayed in a large number of mainstream YA fiction - was a fairly unconventional male lead. This was a coming of age story filled with little quirks I wouldn't have expected (such as the inclusion of famous operas for theatrical comparison). This is one of those books where not a lot actually happens, yet A LOT happens...if you know what I mean. It's a slice of life.

allyx's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.5

The lack of plot is not an inherently bad thing, but such a character-focused novel is hard to get into without relating to protagonist. I don't think the protagonist was generally unrelatable, but it has been decades since I was a pre-teen trying to navigate my own identity and the complexities of fast-changing friendships. 

apotts's review against another edition

4.0

I hadn't really thought about my high school adjective...ever. In fact, I think this book made me realize how much of that time period I've blocked out of my memory. However, in Husky, Davis's weeks before starting high school bring back that all-too-fun (yes, sarcasm) feeling of knowing your world is changing on multiple planes, not being ready to accept it, but realizing there is nothing you can do to stop it. Change is scary, but necessary, and (often) good.

Mature 6th graders would be able to handle this book (there is some offensive language that would need explanation and context), but is more appropriate for 7th and up.

molly_dettmann's review against another edition

2.0

Absolutely nothing happened and Davis is the most winey character I've ever read. Kind of wish they focused more on Mrs. Martinez because that interaction was the most interesting the story got.

rbdeschamp's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm a big fan of Justin Sayre. He has an absolutely marvelous gift of storytelling. His voice lends to the story so well, and overall I enjoyed the nuances of some of the characters. However, Davis, our protagonist of the story, if you can call him that, quickly devolves from someone who has a biting wit and honesty to a petulant child. It's frustrating when someone is mad at everyone and everything but never takes the time to try and resolve their grievances. Strangely enough, I thought Davis and Nannie were shockingly similar in their stubbornness and inability to consider someone else's point of view. Still, Sayre does such a wonderful job telling the story so that I can look over a particularly unlikable character or two. 

sc104906's review against another edition

2.0

The summer before high school, Davis is determined to change the adjective that he will be stuck with. He does not want to be known as the "husky" kid. Davis's friends are moving into their own personalities and changing the friendship dynamics. How can he be cool with his very uncool grandma and mom hovering around him?

I didn't find the book interesting. The lgbt theme wasn't really well written, nor presented in a way that would make it a main theme. I thought the characters were jerks, some even cringe worthy. Not a fan.

someweirdthing's review against another edition

This book is incredibly repetitive and annoying. All he does is complain and does nothing to fix anything 

book_nut's review against another edition

3.0

Hm.

coconutlavender's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

anika222's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Despite it's title, this book was not overly centered on fat experiences, but a wide variety of typical pre-teen experiences through the eyes of a chubby boy. Overall, I think I would recommend this book, but it would be best read with a fat positive family member who could help process why the protagonist felt adverse to being labeled husky and gay. I think there's a lot of things people might take away from this one. For me, it was that our labels, the ones we choose for ourselves and the ones that are thrusted upon us, don't define us completely, but they do shape our experiences in the world.

While I think the story is told very well from the main character's perspective, it fell short for me in leaving the fatphobia unaddressed. This young man learned he's seen as less than for his size (and possible sexuality/gender presentation) from something in his life (we're not born knowing this), but it almost felt gaslight-y to me that all his friends and family said they didn't care and fully accepted him as he is (though a wonderful message that people who love you should not treat you differently because of your size.) One possible explanation is he's not actually fat at all but simply in his pre-adolescent growth phase; which would make this book pretty problematic. The other explanation is he is fat, and no one in his life thinks to talk to him about the fatphobia in the world. Which also is not great.

Ultimately, I wouldn't classify this as fat positive, but it is a good portrayal of the world from a fat preteen's perspective.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia and Homophobia

Minor: Death

Death of grandparent (in the past)