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threegoodrats's review against another edition
4.0
Review is here: http://blog.threegoodrats.com/2009/12/fat-cat-review.html
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
3.0
I expected a lot from this book because it's on the preliminary Gateway Award list, but it disappointed me. It's an interesting story, and I like that it has a lot going on--weight/self-esteem issues, our society's relationship with food, regret and forgiveness--but I didn't think it was spectacular enough to be a Gateway book. Also, I thought the main conflict in the story was pretty ridiculous. Perhaps my expectations were just too high.
reader4evr's review against another edition
5.0
I was totally worried about this book when I saw it was on the Gateway list for this upcoming year because I read another book by the same author (not mentioning the title) and hated it! But I loved this book!
Cat was a great character. I think a lot of teenage girls go through the whole weight issue and I think this story brings the topic to a head but it ends well. She was super funny and I felt like I could even relate to her even though I am not exactly a teenager myself. I liked her transformation that she went through and it was just amazing how much weight she loss. I really wish I had her motivation that she had to do it. Her and her best friend, Amanda, were a great pair and both girls really developed throughout the story. The back story with her "feud" with Matt totally interested me throughout the book and the author did a good way of keeping you interested and wanting to keep reading to find out.
The book was fast paced. I liked how some of the chapters were shorter and others were longer.
This is a book I can't wait to recommend to my science department especially the IB teachers because I think they will really like it. I think girls will like it more but I think boys might too.
Cat was a great character. I think a lot of teenage girls go through the whole weight issue and I think this story brings the topic to a head but it ends well. She was super funny and I felt like I could even relate to her even though I am not exactly a teenager myself. I liked her transformation that she went through and it was just amazing how much weight she loss. I really wish I had her motivation that she had to do it. Her and her best friend, Amanda, were a great pair and both girls really developed throughout the story. The back story with her "feud" with Matt totally interested me throughout the book and the author did a good way of keeping you interested and wanting to keep reading to find out.
The book was fast paced. I liked how some of the chapters were shorter and others were longer.
This is a book I can't wait to recommend to my science department especially the IB teachers because I think they will really like it. I think girls will like it more but I think boys might too.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Short review.
This was a really fun book, and I really loved to read it.
The main character decides for a science project to live how people in a certain time period did. That means no to certain foods and no to a lot of modern stuff. In the beginning it was difficult and she changes it to a bit easier quite soon, but I respect that. After all, it is just barely doable that you eat like them.
I loved how she dropped weight, and how she started loving her new body, though at times was also shocked at how much attention she gets from the boys all of the sudden. And then she changes her project again to something else. Which led to lots of fun and laughs. :)
We also got her best friend (who was absolutely marvellous) and a guy she used to love, but now hates. We slowly find out why she hates his guts so much these days.
This was a really cute book and I would recommend it to everyone.
This was a really fun book, and I really loved to read it.
The main character decides for a science project to live how people in a certain time period did. That means no to certain foods and no to a lot of modern stuff. In the beginning it was difficult and she changes it to a bit easier quite soon, but I respect that. After all, it is just barely doable that you eat like them.
I loved how she dropped weight, and how she started loving her new body, though at times was also shocked at how much attention she gets from the boys all of the sudden. And then she changes her project again to something else. Which led to lots of fun and laughs. :)
We also got her best friend (who was absolutely marvellous) and a guy she used to love, but now hates. We slowly find out why she hates his guts so much these days.
This was a really cute book and I would recommend it to everyone.
protoman21's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this mostly, but found it to be pretty preachy. Although Cat's story certainly was believable, as a suggestion for other people, it just didn't hold up. Yes, anybody who wants to could become a vegetarian, but her case was an extreme one and most people's results are not going to be on the same scale. I feel like this could make people feel bad about themselves and discourage them from continuing making healthy choices.
shorty_320's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this quick read! My only qualm with the story is that I felt that Cat's absolute hatred of Matt was a little too exaggerated. True, I know girls can hold their grudges, but for her to basically shun him for something she had overheard him say seemed a bit over the top. Either way, I found myself rooting for Cat and crossing my fingers that she would work everything out with him.
stephxsu's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliance like this unfortunately still rarely exists in YA lit, and it’s a real shame, because YA lit needs more authors like Robin Brande. FAT CAT is funny, wise, super-intelligent, and heart-stoppingly romantic. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile weeks after reading it as you remember why you still enjoy and read YA contemporary realistic fiction.
Readers of all shapes and sizes (body and brain) will be able to connect with Cat. Hers is the voice of a levelheaded, smart, yet insecure teenager. Brande does not dumb down her fictional teenagers, with the surprising yet joyful result that they will end up appealing to everyone. How often do we get to read about smart girls who are good at and into math and science? Not often enough; my inner physicist is jumping with happiness even as I write this and reflect on FAT CAT.
Cat—and thus, us readers—learns an important lesson without sounding aggressively moralistic. The theme of FAT CAT is a powerful one, hinting at the harmful effects of our modern-day materialistic, processed consumerist culture. Cat’s development from bitter girl with a low body image to a happier, healthier, more energetic, and more creative young woman may just about turn smart readers off of junk food. I honestly laid off the Oreos for several weeks after reading this book, so unappealing the thought of sweets were to me. Rarely does a book have so strong a hold on me in the rest of my life!
The first half of the story focuses on Cat’s science project, while the second half discusses more her relationships with other people. The change of scope is a little bizarre and disconcerting, most likely because the science part is so wonderful to read, but I appreciated the character development of this book. The main “cast” of characters is great, particularly Cat’s best friend, as well as Cat’s romance.
FAT CAT is a story you catch yourself thinking about randomly even weeks after reading it. It’s also the book you’ll want to talk about to your friends, your mother, your teacher, that random middle-aged lady sitting next to you at the bus stop….It’s the book that you’ll hold up and say, “See? This is what quality YA literature is like. Now excuse me while I reread it; you may get your own copy elsewhere, if you’d like.”
Readers of all shapes and sizes (body and brain) will be able to connect with Cat. Hers is the voice of a levelheaded, smart, yet insecure teenager. Brande does not dumb down her fictional teenagers, with the surprising yet joyful result that they will end up appealing to everyone. How often do we get to read about smart girls who are good at and into math and science? Not often enough; my inner physicist is jumping with happiness even as I write this and reflect on FAT CAT.
Cat—and thus, us readers—learns an important lesson without sounding aggressively moralistic. The theme of FAT CAT is a powerful one, hinting at the harmful effects of our modern-day materialistic, processed consumerist culture. Cat’s development from bitter girl with a low body image to a happier, healthier, more energetic, and more creative young woman may just about turn smart readers off of junk food. I honestly laid off the Oreos for several weeks after reading this book, so unappealing the thought of sweets were to me. Rarely does a book have so strong a hold on me in the rest of my life!
The first half of the story focuses on Cat’s science project, while the second half discusses more her relationships with other people. The change of scope is a little bizarre and disconcerting, most likely because the science part is so wonderful to read, but I appreciated the character development of this book. The main “cast” of characters is great, particularly Cat’s best friend, as well as Cat’s romance.
FAT CAT is a story you catch yourself thinking about randomly even weeks after reading it. It’s also the book you’ll want to talk about to your friends, your mother, your teacher, that random middle-aged lady sitting next to you at the bus stop….It’s the book that you’ll hold up and say, “See? This is what quality YA literature is like. Now excuse me while I reread it; you may get your own copy elsewhere, if you’d like.”
jaimeedarling's review against another edition
4.0
Spoiler
Despite what I read in some reviews, the girl had reason to be upset. I would have held that grudge for that long too, given the emotional damage it had given her. With that being said though, she lost that weight for herself. Matt may have been one catalyst in many for her motivation, but her science experiment was the initial goal, while weight loss came after.hnbb's review against another edition
4.0
This book made me rethink my eating lifestyle and my attitude about my body. It reminded me so much of myself in many ways. A good, quick read. Very little language, not strong language and no sex. Yea!