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thriftylibrarian's review
3.0
I appreciate the Jewish-rep, Latinx-rep, medical issues-rep, and fat-rep, but a lot of this book fell flat for me.
Hudi is a middle school boy who is constantly told by doctors to lost weight, fat shamed by peers and adults, and struggles to make friends. Enter Chunky, his imaginary best friend and mascot who cheers for him and encourages him when he isn't as confident.
Hudi's attitude for a lot of the novel is very meh - he uses humor to alleviate tense situations and wants to make people laugh. Which, considering that this is a memoir, is fine, but it reinforces the whole "if I'm not good at anything, at least I can be funny" trope that is so often used for the supportive side character. Hudi eventually does find his place at school, but not a lot of time is spend exploring that or how Hudi grows because of it.
A lot of the problematic content goes unchallenged - talk of guns being cool and Hudi wanting to own a gun, theater being for boys in "makeup and tights", and sports being the only thing that masculine men can do. Memoirs can be tricky because you want them to stay close to life, but imo there should also be some commentary on how those things can be damaging as well.
Hudi is a middle school boy who is constantly told by doctors to lost weight, fat shamed by peers and adults, and struggles to make friends. Enter Chunky, his imaginary best friend and mascot who cheers for him and encourages him when he isn't as confident.
Hudi's attitude for a lot of the novel is very meh - he uses humor to alleviate tense situations and wants to make people laugh. Which, considering that this is a memoir, is fine, but it reinforces the whole "if I'm not good at anything, at least I can be funny" trope that is so often used for the supportive side character. Hudi eventually does find his place at school
Spoiler
theaterA lot of the problematic content goes unchallenged - talk of guns being cool and Hudi wanting to own a gun, theater being for boys in "makeup and tights", and sports being the only thing that masculine men can do. Memoirs can be tricky because you want them to stay close to life, but imo there should also be some commentary on how those things can be damaging as well.
geekwayne's review
5.0
'Chunky' with story and art by Yehudi Mercado is a graphic novel for younger readers about a kid with a weight problem and an imaginary friend named Chunky.
In a story inspired by the author's youth, we meet young Yehudi, overweight, but a sharp-witted kid. He's also prone to injury, so when his parents get him involved in sports, there is always the inevitable injury just waiting to happen. Yehudi tries out for baseball, soccer, swimming and football, but will he ever find his true passion?
I've read a few of this author's graphic novels and I'm a fan. The characters are fun wisecrackers (apparently like the author). The art is a great style and all the ones I've read seem well suited to younger readers.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
In a story inspired by the author's youth, we meet young Yehudi, overweight, but a sharp-witted kid. He's also prone to injury, so when his parents get him involved in sports, there is always the inevitable injury just waiting to happen. Yehudi tries out for baseball, soccer, swimming and football, but will he ever find his true passion?
I've read a few of this author's graphic novels and I'm a fan. The characters are fun wisecrackers (apparently like the author). The art is a great style and all the ones I've read seem well suited to younger readers.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
jpluff2334's review
3.0
This was a sweet graphic memoir about a young boy who was always feeling like he couldn't fit in because he was too fat or because he was Mexican and Jewish. He goes on to try a bunch of different sports because his parents feel he needs to lose weight. If it wasn't the author's true experiences, I feel like this could be triggering for anyone that has felt judged for being overweight. I know it bothered me at times. I did like that in the end he sticks to who he is.
gingerbread_void's review against another edition
4.0
I was unaware of who Mercando was before reading this graphic novel but now I would love to see some of his other work. This novel actually made me laugh out loud which is a rare thing. I loved rhe comedy in this book especially as someone who is athletically challenged.
I also really appreciated how this novel took on some heavy subjects with not only humor but grace. Mercando made sure he showcased some of the rougher aspects of his story without taking away from the sweeter or funnier aspects of thr plot.
Overall this was a really fun and heartwarming tale about a young boy finding his place and it is a great novel for anyone who feels they don't quite fit in.
I also really appreciated how this novel took on some heavy subjects with not only humor but grace. Mercando made sure he showcased some of the rougher aspects of his story without taking away from the sweeter or funnier aspects of thr plot.
Overall this was a really fun and heartwarming tale about a young boy finding his place and it is a great novel for anyone who feels they don't quite fit in.
booklover160's review
4.0
I thought Chunky was going to be about his weight and was going to be potentially triggering with attempts at weight loss. I was mildly surprised and much more pleased its more about being yourself to fit in. Hudi tries all these sports because his parents push him to try and lose weight in a healthy way but in the end follows his passion for drama and comedy. I liked it well enough!
jwinchell's review
4.0
Very funny! The art is so cute. Great story about following what you like to do, not what other people think you should do.
kice7788's review against another edition
2.0
This was definitely not what I thought it was! I really enjoyed the artwork and how he put his story onto paper but it was just not that super interesting to me. It was a graphic memoir about his life and trying to make his father proud. I liked Chunky but wish he was talked about more! Over all it was good but not my favorite.