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Button Pusher #2
Extra Large
Tyler Page returns with a touching middle grade memoir about a boy dealing with weight gain, bullying, and gendered expectations all while starting a new school year.
It’s the start of a new school year for Tyler, and with it comes brand-new problems. There are new bullies, new rules, and Tyler’s starting to have a new understanding of his body. In the gym locker room, he notices how his body’s soft curves contrast with the thin frames and toned muscles of the other boys. And on TV, it seems like someone who looks like Tyler never gets the girl. But is being thin the same thing as being healthy? What’s wrong with being fat, anyway? When his dad forces the Page family to start dieting, Tyler discovers the difference between building a body that conforms to society’s expectations and one that actually feels good to live in.
It’s the start of a new school year for Tyler, and with it comes brand-new problems. There are new bullies, new rules, and Tyler’s starting to have a new understanding of his body. In the gym locker room, he notices how his body’s soft curves contrast with the thin frames and toned muscles of the other boys. And on TV, it seems like someone who looks like Tyler never gets the girl. But is being thin the same thing as being healthy? What’s wrong with being fat, anyway? When his dad forces the Page family to start dieting, Tyler discovers the difference between building a body that conforms to society’s expectations and one that actually feels good to live in.
208 pages, Paperback
Published March 11, 2025
2 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Tyler Page
31 books20 followersTyler Page is an Eisner-nominated and Xeric Grant winning comics artist and educator based in Minneapolis, MN.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 21, 2025
“Everyone wants to fit in.”
👕
It’s a new school year for Tyler and it’s time for him to buy new clothes. When Tyler realizes his usual size doesn’t fit anymore, he begins paying more attention to how he looks compared to other kids around him. He notices bullying happening and doesn’t want to be the one ridiculed so he keeps quiet and hope no one turns their taunts his way. His family works on getting healthy, but Tyler struggles with body image issues throughout.
👕
This is the second graphic memoir from TP and it’s just as enlightening and relatable as his first one. This upper MG/lower YA graphic novel deals with societal & gendered expectations that we don’t see enough representation of in books As someone who has always struggled with my weight, I saw myself on so many of these pages, especially since Tyler and I grew up around the same time and many of the references from the 90s were spot on. Fans of Pizza Face and Chunky will love this one as well. I highly recommend this memoir when it releases March 11.
CW: bullying, fat shaming, body image issues, toxic friendships
👕
It’s a new school year for Tyler and it’s time for him to buy new clothes. When Tyler realizes his usual size doesn’t fit anymore, he begins paying more attention to how he looks compared to other kids around him. He notices bullying happening and doesn’t want to be the one ridiculed so he keeps quiet and hope no one turns their taunts his way. His family works on getting healthy, but Tyler struggles with body image issues throughout.
👕
This is the second graphic memoir from TP and it’s just as enlightening and relatable as his first one. This upper MG/lower YA graphic novel deals with societal & gendered expectations that we don’t see enough representation of in books As someone who has always struggled with my weight, I saw myself on so many of these pages, especially since Tyler and I grew up around the same time and many of the references from the 90s were spot on. Fans of Pizza Face and Chunky will love this one as well. I highly recommend this memoir when it releases March 11.
CW: bullying, fat shaming, body image issues, toxic friendships
February 8, 2025
Set in the late 1980s, the book follows Tyler, a middle school youth grappling with body image. He is larger than many of his peers and begins to suffer bullying because of it. In addition, his father is on a health food kick and insists that his entire family participate in his diet while dropping cruel digs against his wife and two sons about their weight. Though Tyler’s feelings are hurt, and he is embarrassed on several occasions, he also engages in teasing other classmates about their perceived flaws. A shift away from childhood friendships to new and kinder friends makes him slowly realize that he has hurt others as much as he has been hurt himself. The art is colorful and cartoony and will appeal to young readers, although some 1980s references might not land. The graphic novel’s tone is very message-heavy, as issues like physical appearance, toxic masculinity, and bullying are depicted. Tyler and his family are white.
This coming-of-age memoir addresses body image in males, a topic not often found in middle school books, making it a solid purchase for libraries to fill that gap.
I reviewed this graphic novel for the School Library Journal magazine: https://www.slj.com/review/extra-large
This coming-of-age memoir addresses body image in males, a topic not often found in middle school books, making it a solid purchase for libraries to fill that gap.
I reviewed this graphic novel for the School Library Journal magazine: https://www.slj.com/review/extra-large
August 7, 2024
Always looking for more guy main character kid/teen graphic novels, similar to Short and Skinny by Mark Tatulli.
This one is fictionalized memoir-ish graphic about Tyler growing up in the late 80’s as a larger kid. I’d add to a graphic collection but it lacked much emotional awareness/growth of the main character (MC). There were bullying incidents the MC was a part of and one he was a victim of, but incidents were brief; even if the author was trying to stay true to a memory, there could have been more expansion into them. I didn’t always like the main character and there was a too quick wrap up at the end when I wished there was more about how the MC handled diet, image expectations vs his body and size.
This one is fictionalized memoir-ish graphic about Tyler growing up in the late 80’s as a larger kid. I’d add to a graphic collection but it lacked much emotional awareness/growth of the main character (MC). There were bullying incidents the MC was a part of and one he was a victim of, but incidents were brief; even if the author was trying to stay true to a memory, there could have been more expansion into them. I didn’t always like the main character and there was a too quick wrap up at the end when I wished there was more about how the MC handled diet, image expectations vs his body and size.
August 19, 2025
Having tacked ADHD in his last middle school book, Button Pusher, Tyler Page moves on to body image and bullying. As he begins seventh grade, he's self-conscious about his weight and worries about being teased or bullied for it even as he teases and bullies others for their flaws.
I hope this helps any kid who needs a relatable story, but I think the topics have been handled better and more sensitively elsewhere. It sort of reminded me of Judy Blume's Blubber, which I also disliked, though it goes for a more upbeat ending.
I hope this helps any kid who needs a relatable story, but I think the topics have been handled better and more sensitively elsewhere. It sort of reminded me of Judy Blume's Blubber, which I also disliked, though it goes for a more upbeat ending.
October 26, 2025
Intended for my 11year old as a bonus book from his fundraising campaign in elementary school, I sat down to peruse and was pleasantly surprised at the candid portrayal of Page’s experiences as an overweight GenXer trying to navigate his way through middle school. I have vivid memories of having to wear “husky” pants myself as well as being mocked for my large frame. It takes MANY years to develop a thick enough skin to internalize even the most casual remarks. They still sting, but it’s easier to accept yourself the more people with kind hearts you meet and experiences you have to understand the world isn’t entirely a hellscape. Kudos to Page for the courage to put it in a book.
June 26, 2025
I think this felt really honest- even vulnerable, by depicting situations that don't make the mc look great. But... for a book aimed at kids, I was hoping for more self-awareness, more growth; the end felt kind of abrupt. As an adult, I can appreciate that no person is perfect, and I can appreciate the ideas of male body image being highlighted. I also felt the shared traumatic memory of family diets and body shaming from the ones you love. Oof. But for a kid, I want them to walk away with some tools for when they encounter these situations, and I don't think it was there.
September 14, 2025
Relate quite heavily to this short memoir, thinking about dealing with my size/weight in middle school was something that’s stuck with me strongly. I’ve recognized now how negatively I saw myself in my middle school years, it’s hard to look back on that personally as middle school was the height of my health and I certainly wasn’t thin but if I could go back in time to let myself know I was healthy and my size was perfectly fine, it would make middle school so much better.
April 9, 2025
I use button pusher as a lit circle option for a Memoirs unit. When this came out I wanted to read it. It is very well written and a great memoir to follow the first one.
June 24, 2025
Author/illustrator Tyler Page’s graphic novel uses experiences from his own life to create a book focused on encouraging readers to find the friends who share the same interests and treat each other with the respect and kindness deserved by all of us. Junior high school aged Book-Tyler has been friends with the same group of boys for years and together, they tackle everything from video games to the social hierarchy of school. But things are changing, Tyler begins noticing that some of the boys he has always known are beginning to develop well-defined muscles and there is way more armpit hair than there has ever been. Along with the physical changes, the teasing that has been par for the course over the years steps up and is becoming far more personal and hurtful and Tyler and his friends begin to join in. But when he becomes the object of harassment and name-calling due to his less than svelte physique, Tyler begins to wonder about his own actions as well as those of his friends. Circumstances put Tyler in the same circle as Katie and Len and he finds new friendships based on mutual respect and without worries about how he looks.
The overall messaging in Page’s book is positive but I was disappointed in a few things:
*The verbal abuse doled out by Tyler and many of his classmates towards new girl Jenny is vicious and even after Tyler’s realization that he wants friends who build him up instead of tear him down, he never apologizes to her for his part in the bullying. Similarly, Tyler’s participation in a cruel prank against his friend Tony gets a half-hearted, mom-required apology but no real remorse.
*Tyler’s dad changes his eating habits and joins a softball team in order to improve his health and wants his family to join him but the lack of participation by Tyler and his brother is very obvious and closing remarks by Book-Tyler make it clear that he has no plans to try and change his waistline. And then in the final pages of the novel, Tyler’s dad is pictured lying on the couch in his underwear shoveling cookies into his mouth with his wife next to him with a bag of chips, further making diet changes seem like a joke. While no one should feel shame about their appearance and bullying is wrong, a lifestyle of regular exercise and a diet with more healthy foods than snacks should be a goal and not something to be avoided. To be fair, in the author info, real life Tyler mentions briefly and without details that he does change his body shape later in life but kids generally skip end notes of any kind.
*Lastly, there was the unnecessary use of “dick” as part of name-calling. Couple that with the tighty-whiteys shown several times throughout the book and it is, even with overall positive messages, clerly only for the junior high and up age group when without them, younger readers would also benefit.
As noted, the themes of “Extra Large” are ones that kids should hear often-Finding friends who support you, not tear you down & the harm of verbal harassment even when supposedly delivered as a part of so-called goofing around. Librarians should consider this graphic novel for collections serving grades 5-8.
Thanks, Tyler Page and First Second, for providing a signed copy of this title at the 2025 Texas Library Association annual conference.
The overall messaging in Page’s book is positive but I was disappointed in a few things:
*The verbal abuse doled out by Tyler and many of his classmates towards new girl Jenny is vicious and even after Tyler’s realization that he wants friends who build him up instead of tear him down, he never apologizes to her for his part in the bullying. Similarly, Tyler’s participation in a cruel prank against his friend Tony gets a half-hearted, mom-required apology but no real remorse.
*Tyler’s dad changes his eating habits and joins a softball team in order to improve his health and wants his family to join him but the lack of participation by Tyler and his brother is very obvious and closing remarks by Book-Tyler make it clear that he has no plans to try and change his waistline. And then in the final pages of the novel, Tyler’s dad is pictured lying on the couch in his underwear shoveling cookies into his mouth with his wife next to him with a bag of chips, further making diet changes seem like a joke. While no one should feel shame about their appearance and bullying is wrong, a lifestyle of regular exercise and a diet with more healthy foods than snacks should be a goal and not something to be avoided. To be fair, in the author info, real life Tyler mentions briefly and without details that he does change his body shape later in life but kids generally skip end notes of any kind.
*Lastly, there was the unnecessary use of “dick” as part of name-calling. Couple that with the tighty-whiteys shown several times throughout the book and it is, even with overall positive messages, clerly only for the junior high and up age group when without them, younger readers would also benefit.
As noted, the themes of “Extra Large” are ones that kids should hear often-Finding friends who support you, not tear you down & the harm of verbal harassment even when supposedly delivered as a part of so-called goofing around. Librarians should consider this graphic novel for collections serving grades 5-8.
Thanks, Tyler Page and First Second, for providing a signed copy of this title at the 2025 Texas Library Association annual conference.
October 14, 2024
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Returning to middle school is tough for Tyler, especially since his father is on a health kick where he doesn't want the family to eat as much sugar so that HE can lose 20-30 pounds. The father hints that the mother could also stand to lose weight, and Tyler and his brother aren't thrilled with the idea that there will be less ice cream and fewer treats. At school, however, Tyler starts to worry about his weight, especially since the boys have to change for gym, and his classmates all seem to be thinner and to know intuitively that tighty whities are out and boxerr shorts are in. Tyler sees a lot of the toxic masculinity bubbling over in every class; there's an unkempt boy who is constantly attacking others who eventually disappears, pranks at a sleepover that make a boy cry, and constant belittling of others because of their weight or appearances. He also notices that the other boys seem to be in better physical condition (he has trouble keeping up with all of the running on Halloween), and seems to think that this helps them be popular with girls. When his bus route is changed, he makes friends with two other students who don't seem to be as mean as his old friends. He even partners on the project with a girl, and finds that she is fun and easy to talk to. As his father loses weight, Tyler does start getting more exercise, but never tries to implement a program to change his body, even though it makes him uncomfortable.
Strengths: I'm glad that Mr. Page has been able to take his very uncomforatble middle school experiences (see also Button Pusher, about his struggles with ADHD and some behavioral issues) and turn them into lightly philosophical graphic novels that encourage readers to examine their own relationships with their bodies. The father's behavior seems very typical at the time; I can still list all of the fad diets that my own father went on in the 1970s; the ketogenic diet, the thousand calorie diet, the cabbage soup diet, etc. I wish I could say that people were nicer to each other during this time period, but the depiction of students making fun of each other rings unfortunately true. My favorite part of this is the picture of Mr. Page's favorite shirt, which became too small, but then too large, as well as very worn out, but still hangs in his closet. I see that shirt and raise him a pair of denim overalls from 1981 that are still in MY closet!
Weaknesses: By today's standards, Tyler would be quite normal, if not on the thin side. It's worth pointing out to students that this takes place in the early 1990s, because the behavior of most of Tyler's friends would absolutely not be acceptable today.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want to see how people treated others in the twentieth century, as evidenced in books like Ogle's Pizza Face and Four Eyes, or Mercado's Chunky.
Returning to middle school is tough for Tyler, especially since his father is on a health kick where he doesn't want the family to eat as much sugar so that HE can lose 20-30 pounds. The father hints that the mother could also stand to lose weight, and Tyler and his brother aren't thrilled with the idea that there will be less ice cream and fewer treats. At school, however, Tyler starts to worry about his weight, especially since the boys have to change for gym, and his classmates all seem to be thinner and to know intuitively that tighty whities are out and boxerr shorts are in. Tyler sees a lot of the toxic masculinity bubbling over in every class; there's an unkempt boy who is constantly attacking others who eventually disappears, pranks at a sleepover that make a boy cry, and constant belittling of others because of their weight or appearances. He also notices that the other boys seem to be in better physical condition (he has trouble keeping up with all of the running on Halloween), and seems to think that this helps them be popular with girls. When his bus route is changed, he makes friends with two other students who don't seem to be as mean as his old friends. He even partners on the project with a girl, and finds that she is fun and easy to talk to. As his father loses weight, Tyler does start getting more exercise, but never tries to implement a program to change his body, even though it makes him uncomfortable.
Strengths: I'm glad that Mr. Page has been able to take his very uncomforatble middle school experiences (see also Button Pusher, about his struggles with ADHD and some behavioral issues) and turn them into lightly philosophical graphic novels that encourage readers to examine their own relationships with their bodies. The father's behavior seems very typical at the time; I can still list all of the fad diets that my own father went on in the 1970s; the ketogenic diet, the thousand calorie diet, the cabbage soup diet, etc. I wish I could say that people were nicer to each other during this time period, but the depiction of students making fun of each other rings unfortunately true. My favorite part of this is the picture of Mr. Page's favorite shirt, which became too small, but then too large, as well as very worn out, but still hangs in his closet. I see that shirt and raise him a pair of denim overalls from 1981 that are still in MY closet!
Weaknesses: By today's standards, Tyler would be quite normal, if not on the thin side. It's worth pointing out to students that this takes place in the early 1990s, because the behavior of most of Tyler's friends would absolutely not be acceptable today.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want to see how people treated others in the twentieth century, as evidenced in books like Ogle's Pizza Face and Four Eyes, or Mercado's Chunky.
March 24, 2025
Middle Grade graphic novel, realistic fiction. This autobiographical story features a young Tyler, who is in middle school and coming to terms with his weight. His dad wants to lose some weight, so he encourages the whole family to eat less sugar. Tyler has to get "husky" sized pants and is embarrassed to start changing for gym class. There also seems to be a prevalence of mean comments in the school, not just about weight, but ear size, bad teeth, and more. Tyler starts off as a silent bystander but ends up participating in some of the bullying. On Halloween, he is acutely aware that is harder for him to run around trick or treating than it is for his friends.
When the school changes the bus routes, Tyler finds himself with other kinder, quieter kids. As he befriends them, he realizes that the way his previous group acted was not normal. There is a bit of reflection, and some hint of acknowledging that he can ride his bike without it being a competition, but overall the ending seemed rushed and not quite enough. Still a good story focusing on bullying and male body image in the popular graphic novel format.
When the school changes the bus routes, Tyler finds himself with other kinder, quieter kids. As he befriends them, he realizes that the way his previous group acted was not normal. There is a bit of reflection, and some hint of acknowledging that he can ride his bike without it being a competition, but overall the ending seemed rushed and not quite enough. Still a good story focusing on bullying and male body image in the popular graphic novel format.
December 5, 2025
There needs to be more books in this realm-- it's really a slice of life coming-of-age. There isn't one monumental life-altering thing like the death of a parent or abuse, but everyday life. A family that wants to be healthier by eating healthier and going on outings. A kid who is bullied for being overweight while he sees other kids in school getting sculpted or just comparing himself while in the locker room. He has a strong reaction to his friends not stopping a water fight when he wanted them to. He gets invited over to a girl's house to watch a movie with her and her cousin after working on a project with her. Basic. Every day. Stuff. And Page's reaction works towards a growth mindset where he knows he's growing up and out but can be proud of who he is.
The graphic novel format is a visual reminder of the mundane but also the little things that can defeat us but are universal. It's about attitude and having people who help you through. I liked the positive messaging amid the hardship of growing up and school life.
The graphic novel format is a visual reminder of the mundane but also the little things that can defeat us but are universal. It's about attitude and having people who help you through. I liked the positive messaging amid the hardship of growing up and school life.
July 21, 2025
Very well written graphic novel about middle school, trying to fit in but also be yourself. Tyler gets teased for being fat but everyone gets teased for something. He tries to not let it bother him and he even joins in when others tease kids...he tries to fit in. His father decides to go on a no sugar diet to lose weight. I thought that would get Tyler to try it as well....but it does not. I liked that the book took that path. It shows how to learn to accept who we are. Tyler struggles with body image. Mostly he just tries to hide. He feels uncomfortable because he knows others can be mean, it's not because he's uncomfortable with his body....it's that others are. We get to watch while Tyler examines his life. From his friendships, his diet, his family to himself....he looks at it all. This story is a common lament but tackled in a new way.
November 25, 2024
** 3.5 stars **
I was so excited to come across a middle-grade graphic novel that tackles a boy's journey with body image—a topic that often seems to focus exclusively on girls. It was refreshing to see this perspective explored.
That said, I wish the main character had shown more overall growth. While I appreciated his progress in becoming more accepting of himself and his body, his role as a bully felt unresolved. The book included several instances of bullying, and while there were moments where he seemed to grasp the impact of his actions, he never took the step of apologizing to any of his victims. It felt like a missed opportunity.
Elementary librarians, I would save this one for the middle schools due to some language.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I was so excited to come across a middle-grade graphic novel that tackles a boy's journey with body image—a topic that often seems to focus exclusively on girls. It was refreshing to see this perspective explored.
That said, I wish the main character had shown more overall growth. While I appreciated his progress in becoming more accepting of himself and his body, his role as a bully felt unresolved. The book included several instances of bullying, and while there were moments where he seemed to grasp the impact of his actions, he never took the step of apologizing to any of his victims. It felt like a missed opportunity.
Elementary librarians, I would save this one for the middle schools due to some language.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
April 17, 2025
Tyler is a typical middle-school boy. He likes hanging out with his friends, playing sports, fitting in.
When some of his friends make fun of kids who are different (big ears, "husky," less cared for by parents), he either says nothing, or joins in. He's also struggling with his own weight and trying to figure out what it means to be a man. His mother stands out as a voice for kindness and empathy, while his dad decides to lose some weight and the whole family gets dragged in.
A well-written, thoughtful but also fun graphic memoir that teaches readers to stand up for others and view their health as important while also pointing out the ways media can confuse boys about what it means to be manly.
When some of his friends make fun of kids who are different (big ears, "husky," less cared for by parents), he either says nothing, or joins in. He's also struggling with his own weight and trying to figure out what it means to be a man. His mother stands out as a voice for kindness and empathy, while his dad decides to lose some weight and the whole family gets dragged in.
A well-written, thoughtful but also fun graphic memoir that teaches readers to stand up for others and view their health as important while also pointing out the ways media can confuse boys about what it means to be manly.
June 10, 2025
Like others, I was excited to read this due to the topic. The biggest problem with this book is that the author didn't leverage the opportunity to tell a story about his past from the present in a way that would have shown the growth of thinking both personally and culturally. I wasn't even clear this was a memoir or that it took place in the 80s when I started reading, and if I'm confused, a kid certainly would be too. The way it was ok to bully anyone who was fat at the time is culturally significant. The pervasive diet culture and shaming also requires some historical framing and some thoughtful retrospective analysis.
Unfortunately, this book felt both slow and also felt like it unintentionally reinforced the body shaming norms of the 80s, especially the last panel.
Unfortunately, this book felt both slow and also felt like it unintentionally reinforced the body shaming norms of the 80s, especially the last panel.
September 26, 2025
Tyler Page told his story of growing up with ADHD in Button Pusher, and his story continues with Extra Large. Tyler is becoming self-conscious as he notices that his clothes are getting tighter, and he now needs to change for gym class because his body isn't as thin and fit as the other kids. He can goof around until everyone else changes so that no one sees him undressed. His dad cuts sugar from the house and is not subtle about wanting his wife and kids to lose weight. Tyler is allowed to go trick-or-treating, but he is out of breath running from house to house with the kids. Another problem is that Tyler’s friends can be jerks, and sometimes he goes along with the crowd, hurting his friends and classmates. Tyler is also trying to find himself in the media images of muscle-bound men. It’s a lot for a middle schooler to handle.
November 11, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
I really enjoyed Tyler Page’s previous graphic memoir, Button Pusher, and was excited to get my hands on this one. While it was still well done and fills a need in the middle grade graphic nonfiction genre, I wish it could have been a bit longer. I feel like it didn’t delve into the author’s emotional development enough when it came to his weight. I got to the end and thought “That’s it?” I just wanted more. I do love that there is much more to read now about boys’ weight and boys being sensitive than there used to be!
I really enjoyed Tyler Page’s previous graphic memoir, Button Pusher, and was excited to get my hands on this one. While it was still well done and fills a need in the middle grade graphic nonfiction genre, I wish it could have been a bit longer. I feel like it didn’t delve into the author’s emotional development enough when it came to his weight. I got to the end and thought “That’s it?” I just wanted more. I do love that there is much more to read now about boys’ weight and boys being sensitive than there used to be!
April 29, 2025
Page presents an engaging graphic memoir about a middle grade boy who struggles with his weight, and his journey to self-acceptance. I'd forgotten about the difficulties of this stage of life (perhaps deliberately), and just how much the taunts of peers can sting. And, what a relief it can be to find a group of friends who like and accept you.
This would make a great addition to any library's graphic novel collection.
Thanks to First Second Books and NetGalley for the read.
This would make a great addition to any library's graphic novel collection.
Thanks to First Second Books and NetGalley for the read.
May 25, 2025
Oh gosh, this actually gave me all the icky feels of middle school again! I’m so glad that the author shared his experience as a boy because I don’t think there’s as much out there about boys being bullied as there is about girls being bullied for weight. He handles a sensitive topic with grace and humor. I really wish that kids weren’t like this though…I’m going to hazard a guess that things haven’t really changed that much based on what I see and hear from middle schoolers today.
June 25, 2025
Graphic novel about a boy going into middle school when everyone is trying to fit in. There were nods to Kansas City which was fun, but there were moments in the book that definitely made you feel uncomfortable. Middle school kids can be mean and say mean things and there were moments like that in this book. I’d probably say 5th or 6th grade and up.
CW: bullying, comments could be S.A., body shaming, toxic friendships
CW: bullying, comments could be S.A., body shaming, toxic friendships
July 15, 2025
I think the issue of body image is important, especially when it comes to boys. I felt, though, that there wasn't really a plot - or maybe, there were too many small ones. I never really got why Tyler's friends - who for all intents and purposes were real friends - would suddenly turn on him and become such bullies. It didn't ring true for me. This was an easy read and the picture were engaging.
July 15, 2025
Tyler Page tells a story of his childhood, about being pudgy, and dad being on a diet. It's about friendship and learning who your friends aren't. I liked this look at having a body that feels different and figuring out how to live in it, how to figure out messages from parents and friends that aren't entirely clear. I liked it but I wanted more, more story, more depth, more about the other characters and what Tyler is doing.
March 22, 2025
👦🏻reviews: I enjoyed this one with plenty of laughter and also some realistic moments. This memoir graphic novel is simply entertaining yet surreal. Tyler’s story is everybody’s own tale. Bullying is unacceptable but high school is tough, but going on diet is the only healthy solution? Should we conform to the “thin” standard or should we simply eat healthy? This is a great graphic novel.
April 5, 2025
I like seeing a boy with some body image issues for a change. I also liked seeing him figuring out that some of his friends are jerks and growing enough to move away from those relationships into more positive choices.
May 18, 2025
It’s nice to see a book about a fat kid learning to accept himself and enjoy the things he likes. I was infuriated by how his father treated his mother but I can see why Page didn’t go into this in this book.
September 16, 2025
It was good having the guys perspective on weight and bullying. It felt really raw. I grew up with family diets and forced expectations and it still traumatizes me. I wish this didn’t end so quickly.
November 19, 2025
This memoir is based on the author's middle school experience of being overweight and often bullied. It's so hard to see kids being so wretched to one another. Highly recommended.
Grades 5 and up.
Grades 5 and up.
March 18, 2025
I didn't connect to this sequel as much as the original. I think it's an important graphic novel for a lot of middle school boys out there right now
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