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Fat Chance
Judi Liebowitz thinks she's fat. And she's convinced, as she confides in her diary, that she'd be happier if she were skinnier. So when Judi becomes friendly with pencil-thin, glamorous Nancy Pratt, she learns Nancy's secret and joins her in the secret binge-and-purge cycles of bulimia. Before long, Judi's life spins out of control and her obsession with food, calories, and pounds is no longer another typical eighth-grade problem--it's a matter of life and death.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
82 people are currently reading
816 people want to read
About the author
Lesléa Newman
107 books250 followersLesléa Newman (born 1955, Brooklyn, NY) is the author of over 50 books including Heather Has Two Mommies, A Letter To Harvey Milk, Writing From The Heart, In Every Laugh a Tear, The Femme Mystique, Still Life with Buddy, Fat Chance and Out of the Closet and Nothing to Wear.
She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations.
Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.
Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.
She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Ms. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage.
In addition to being an author, Ms. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.
She has received many literary awards including Poetry Fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Fellowship Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Highlights for Children Fiction Writing Award, the James Baldwin Award for Cultural Achievement, and two Pushcart Prize Nominations.
Nine of her books have been Lambda Literary Award finalists.
Ms. Newman wrote Heather Has Two Mommies, the first children's book to portray lesbian families in a positive way, and has followed up this pioneering work with several more children's books on lesbian and gay families: Gloria Goes To Gay Pride, Belinda's Bouquet, Too Far Away to Touch, and Saturday Is Pattyday.
She is also the author of many books for adults that deal with lesbian identity, Jewish identity and the intersection and collision between the two. Other topics Ms. Newman explores include AIDS, eating disorders, butch/femme relationships and sexual abuse. Her award-winning short story, A Letter To Harvey Milk has been made into a film and adapted for the stage.
In addition to being an author, Ms. Newman is a popular guest lecturer, and has spoken on college campuses across the country including Harvard University, Yale University, the University of Oregon, Bryn Mawr College, Smith College and the University of Judaism. From 2005-2009, Lesléa was a faculty member of the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine. Currently, she is the Poet Laureate of Northampton, MA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
August 4, 2015
I rarely give books five stars. Not only does it have to be flawless, but it generally has to accomplish something absolutely marvelous. But this book got the rare five stars. Though it is an ordinary, enjoyable read, I gave it the rating it did because of how well the author captures the confusion of middle school. Some of Judi's thoughts were exactly my own when I read it. I was in eighth grade, just like Judi. Though the writing is excellent, this book is no Steinbeck. It will win no Pulitzers, no Nobels. But in my recollection no author has so accurately written about what it's like to be a teenager, and if that is not the true purpose of books, I'm not sure what is.
May 31, 2023
sometimes i like to turn my brain off and read about fat 13-year-olds bemoaning their weight for 200+ pages
July 7, 2015
You guys, I always understood that Judi was not actually overweight (she hovers around 127 lbs for the entirety of the book, at 5'4"), but at the time of rereading this, we weigh exactly the same and I am four inches shorter than Judi. Yeah, I still have some baby weight and whatnot, but I still think I'm looking aight. That just kind of blew my mind a little bit and made me realize how hard Judi was on herself.
Original review, November 2007:
So maybe other people wouldn't give this five stars, but really, it's one of my favorite books of all time. I remember buying it at a book fair in middle school, and just being blown away by it. I had never read a book dealing with eating disorders, and this one pretty much made me never want to experience one. I read it almost every year because it has many other good qualities, besides handling such a weighty topic (no pun intended--that's for you, Judi). The main character is charming and refreshing. Also, while reading this book, you end up really remembering being in the 8th grade, hating your body, wishing to be the beautiful, popular girl, daydreaming about the ridiculously handsome guy, thinking your mother just won't understand. Ugh, the angst. And then you get to the end of the book and cry because it's just so sweet, and also, from a writing point of view, really wraps up just in the most perfect way. God, I really, really love this book.
Original review, November 2007:
So maybe other people wouldn't give this five stars, but really, it's one of my favorite books of all time. I remember buying it at a book fair in middle school, and just being blown away by it. I had never read a book dealing with eating disorders, and this one pretty much made me never want to experience one. I read it almost every year because it has many other good qualities, besides handling such a weighty topic (no pun intended--that's for you, Judi). The main character is charming and refreshing. Also, while reading this book, you end up really remembering being in the 8th grade, hating your body, wishing to be the beautiful, popular girl, daydreaming about the ridiculously handsome guy, thinking your mother just won't understand. Ugh, the angst. And then you get to the end of the book and cry because it's just so sweet, and also, from a writing point of view, really wraps up just in the most perfect way. God, I really, really love this book.
January 21, 2016
I read this in middle school. At this point in my life, I had been dealing with an eating disorder on-and-off for a number of years, although I had yet to recognize that I was struggling with an eating disorder, seeing my activities more as "dieting" and less as a disease. Instead of this book helping me to realize my disordered way of thinking and eating, I found that it gave me more ideas on how to hide my symptoms from friends and family. I understand that this review doesn't necessarily have to do with the writing of this book, but for me, this book pushed me further down the path of self-destruction and deceit.
September 9, 2022
Dated but still an applicable and worthy read, as we follow Judi struggle with middle school angst and body dysmorphia fueled by unrealistic and damaging expectations for how girls “should” look.
July 21, 2012
Usually I love weight loss novels - or at least the idea of them. But this one, like too many others, become a tiresome tale of how the girl loses weight, feels better, goes through a bad time, gains most of it back, then finds a support system and learns to love herself while slowly becoming healthy again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2010
What a waste of time. Boring and preachy.
November 7, 2014
It was just okay.
August 13, 2025
I'm giving this one five stars, and not just because I'm a bit biased. I first read this book when I was in 7th or 8th grade, and I can still tell you exactly where it was in the school library, 20 years later (ouch).
Judi Leibowitz is an 8th grader who is struggling with her weight and the stigma around being fat or "big boned," even at 127lbs. She wants a boyfriend and she wants to be popular, but that won't happen unless she loses enough weight. One day at School, after lunch, Judi finds Nancy Pratt, the most popular girl in the 8th grade, throwing up in the bathroom. Nancy shares her secret of throwing up her food so that she can get down to 100lbs and become a supermodel.
Throughout Judi's diary entries, you learn about her friendships, the junior high dating pool, and Judi's relationship with her mother. Judi has also gotten close with her english teacher Mrs. Roth, who assigned the diaries.
I still really enjoyed this book, reading it as an adult. I remembered why I enjoyed it so much as a kid. Now, I was able to resonate with both Judi and with her mom, and even though I'm not a mom, I understood the perspective.
Judi Leibowitz is an 8th grader who is struggling with her weight and the stigma around being fat or "big boned," even at 127lbs. She wants a boyfriend and she wants to be popular, but that won't happen unless she loses enough weight. One day at School, after lunch, Judi finds Nancy Pratt, the most popular girl in the 8th grade, throwing up in the bathroom. Nancy shares her secret of throwing up her food so that she can get down to 100lbs and become a supermodel.
Throughout Judi's diary entries, you learn about her friendships, the junior high dating pool, and Judi's relationship with her mother. Judi has also gotten close with her english teacher Mrs. Roth, who assigned the diaries.
I still really enjoyed this book, reading it as an adult. I remembered why I enjoyed it so much as a kid. Now, I was able to resonate with both Judi and with her mom, and even though I'm not a mom, I understood the perspective.
February 23, 2021
Very easy to read. It reflects what goes on in the brains of young teenagers and all the pressure they face.
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July 19, 2014Although published in 1994, FAT CHANCE by Leslea Newman still rings true today, in fact, with the increased prevalence of eating disorders, its message may be even more important today.
As an eighth grader, Judi dreams of having a boyfriend and going on exciting dates, but she is convinced that can only happen if she loses weight. Her mother insists she is a "growing girl" who needs to eat three nutritious meals a day. Judi is sure that isn't the path to happiness. It doesn't help that Judi's classmates are typical kids who tease and taunt about any perceived physical flaws with little regard for the feelings they hurt or the self-esteem they damage.
When Ms. Roth, the new English teacher, requires each student to keep a diary, Judi uses the assignment to pour out her feelings as she records her attempts at weight loss and relationship difficulties. She learns tricks to avoid eating breakfast, consumes only diet Coke for lunch, and tries to get away with eating as little as possible of her mother's home-cooked dinners. She is able to shed a few pounds, but is frustrated by the need to binge when she is feeling stressed.
The answer to all her problems seems to appear the day she stumbles across popular girl and future model, Nancy Pratt, vomiting in the restroom. When Nancy explains that vomiting is her secret to weight control success, Judi is disgusted at first, but as she becomes more desperate to be thin, she gives it a try. It is easier than she ever imagined. Now she can eat enough to keep her mother from nagging and lose weight at the same time.
Keeping her secret is difficult, and when Nancy ends up in the hospital as a result of her bulimia, Judi begins to have second thoughts. Losing weight has some positives, but the strain it has created in the relationships with her best friend and her mother involve more negatives than she may be willing to endure.
In FAT CHANCE author Leslea Newman captures the emotional turmoil created in those suffering from eating disorders. Through Judi's obsession to lose what to some may seem an insignificant amount of weight, it becomes clear that the mind of a person with bulimia is far from normal and their body image issues produce increasingly irrational arguments most of us would never understand. Newman's message that eating disorders require outside intervention and commitment on the part of the struggling individual makes this novel instructional as well as entertaining. Unlike more recent books written about the same subject, FAT CHANCE does not dwell on the horror and debilitation of the eating disorders, however, it still provides an important view worth reading.
As an eighth grader, Judi dreams of having a boyfriend and going on exciting dates, but she is convinced that can only happen if she loses weight. Her mother insists she is a "growing girl" who needs to eat three nutritious meals a day. Judi is sure that isn't the path to happiness. It doesn't help that Judi's classmates are typical kids who tease and taunt about any perceived physical flaws with little regard for the feelings they hurt or the self-esteem they damage.
When Ms. Roth, the new English teacher, requires each student to keep a diary, Judi uses the assignment to pour out her feelings as she records her attempts at weight loss and relationship difficulties. She learns tricks to avoid eating breakfast, consumes only diet Coke for lunch, and tries to get away with eating as little as possible of her mother's home-cooked dinners. She is able to shed a few pounds, but is frustrated by the need to binge when she is feeling stressed.
The answer to all her problems seems to appear the day she stumbles across popular girl and future model, Nancy Pratt, vomiting in the restroom. When Nancy explains that vomiting is her secret to weight control success, Judi is disgusted at first, but as she becomes more desperate to be thin, she gives it a try. It is easier than she ever imagined. Now she can eat enough to keep her mother from nagging and lose weight at the same time.
Keeping her secret is difficult, and when Nancy ends up in the hospital as a result of her bulimia, Judi begins to have second thoughts. Losing weight has some positives, but the strain it has created in the relationships with her best friend and her mother involve more negatives than she may be willing to endure.
In FAT CHANCE author Leslea Newman captures the emotional turmoil created in those suffering from eating disorders. Through Judi's obsession to lose what to some may seem an insignificant amount of weight, it becomes clear that the mind of a person with bulimia is far from normal and their body image issues produce increasingly irrational arguments most of us would never understand. Newman's message that eating disorders require outside intervention and commitment on the part of the struggling individual makes this novel instructional as well as entertaining. Unlike more recent books written about the same subject, FAT CHANCE does not dwell on the horror and debilitation of the eating disorders, however, it still provides an important view worth reading.
March 7, 2014
Come morire per la bellezza e salvarsi accettandosi
Libro semplice e diretto, che racconta con semplicità il dramma adolescenziale del confronto con un aspetto fisico che non piace. La protagonista non sopporta i suoi chili di troppo e decide di provvedere, aiutata dal cattivo esempio: la più bella della scuola, la ragazza invidiata, col ragazzo fantastico... la ragazza con uno scheletro nell'armadio più grande di lei, fatto di digiuni e corse in bagno quando mangia, fino a finire in ospedale, ancora ossessionata da una realtà che vede solo deformata (ingrandita) allo specchio. La protagonista prova a seguire la sua strada, attratta dal risultato finale, ma non perde la ragione, riesce a fermarsi in tempo, comprendendo che, in fondo, qualche chilo in più o in meno non fa nessuna differenza.
Libro semplice e diretto, che racconta con semplicità il dramma adolescenziale del confronto con un aspetto fisico che non piace. La protagonista non sopporta i suoi chili di troppo e decide di provvedere, aiutata dal cattivo esempio: la più bella della scuola, la ragazza invidiata, col ragazzo fantastico... la ragazza con uno scheletro nell'armadio più grande di lei, fatto di digiuni e corse in bagno quando mangia, fino a finire in ospedale, ancora ossessionata da una realtà che vede solo deformata (ingrandita) allo specchio. La protagonista prova a seguire la sua strada, attratta dal risultato finale, ma non perde la ragione, riesce a fermarsi in tempo, comprendendo che, in fondo, qualche chilo in più o in meno non fa nessuna differenza.
June 22, 2013
I thought the book was way too... I don't know, naive? Judi was so two dimensional. I couldn't connect with her and often found her very annoying. And every time she said "fat chance" I wanted to punch her in the mouth. It was very unrealistic. Even in the 90's, 8th graders are more mature than her. She's like that one kid that hasn't quite grown up yet and still sleeps with a nightlight on, after being tucked in by Mommy. All in all, it was a waste of time, and will be for anyone else who wants to read something worth their time. If you want to read a book about eating disorders that's actually good, try Purge or Wintergirls.
October 15, 2009
This really delves into what every girl thinks about at least once in her life. Am I fat? Judi is in highschool and is trying to start the year off well. She knows she's not the smallest girl in the bunch but she also knows she can't change it overnight. Or can she? Judi walks into the bathroom at school one day, to here someone throwing up in the stalls, but when she asks if she's okay the girl acts as if Judi should never had been there at all. What exactly WAS the girl doing in there, and furthermore, why is she mad at Judi for being there?
March 25, 2013
Another eating disorders title. It's no Wintergirls and it's dated; it's from the 1990s. There are references to the TV series, Roseanne. What I liked about this one is that 8th grader Judi, the main character, is not the one who ends up in a hospital with a full-blown eating disorder. Instead, she is shown as flirting with one. It's Nancy who ends up in the hospital. Nancy is a girl that Judi idolizes; she's super skinny, wears make-up and dates a 9th grader. Nancy befriends Judi and Judi helps Nancy hide her secrets that keep her skinny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2015
I read this book in the 8th grade. The book really open my eyes and how I learn what was a eating disorder. I re-read the book again. As an educator, I would definitely show this to my students and tell them they are beautiful they way look and never change for anybody. Eating Disorders is an important discussion to talk about to students. I would know because I was feeling terrible the way looked in the mirror but I realized I am perfect the way I am. I highly recommended to read this book and such a great book and powerful message.
January 21, 2010
I can't remember exactly when I read this book, but I remember absolutely loving it. I read it as I was struggling to admit I had an eating disorder and completely related with the main character. I remember crying for the character and crying for me.
I'm not going to lie, I don't remember the quality of the writing or character develop, but over ten years after I read it I remember it's impact on me, so I think that says something.
I'm not going to lie, I don't remember the quality of the writing or character develop, but over ten years after I read it I remember it's impact on me, so I think that says something.
October 20, 2011
Well right now i think the book is about 4 stars i really like it so far i hope it turns out amazing. Well im nearing the end and it is amazing! It is a realistic fiction book and it is good. It actually is not boring. If you need a realistic fiction i would say to read this one. You might think it would be a little wierd, but it isn't. If you start reading you want to read it to the very end. If you need a short book this is your book.
April 16, 2009
deftly handles scary and important topics like eating disorders, fitting in, family dynamics, and growing up. this book helped me realize that starvation and/or binges are not glamorous, and definitely not the answer to loving myself. this fictional diary makes the mistakes for us, so that we will know not to.
May 28, 2015
This is one of the first eating disorder themed books I read. I remember asking the librarian in my middle school - I was in 7th grade at the time - if she had any books on the subject and she was stunned that I had asked. This was the only one they had and I read it in about three days. At twelve, this had been a very good read for me. It got the point across and I connected with the character.
April 10, 2013
I personally really liked Fat Chance.
The book is really easy to read and the story makes you want to continue reading!
When I read that book, I told everyone about it and the school librarian told a lot of kids came asking for it.
I recommend this book to everyone because I think it explains you pretty well how certain kids feel at this point of their life.
The book is really easy to read and the story makes you want to continue reading!
When I read that book, I told everyone about it and the school librarian told a lot of kids came asking for it.
I recommend this book to everyone because I think it explains you pretty well how certain kids feel at this point of their life.
December 24, 2007
I remember this book really well, eventhough I read it a long time ago. It's about a girl who thinks she could be skinnier and she tries to throw up her food after she eats it because the popular girl does this, but it brought consequences.
August 25, 2010
Since starting to read YA books, I never realized how many stories there are about bulimic girls. It's almost like a porn movie, you've seen one, you've seen them all. BUT, I like the dairy format and first person perspective of the book.
October 23, 2010
this was published in 1994; heavy-handed problem novel written in diary style; too much Adult creeping in to control the morality/lesson -- and the refrain of "fat chance!" is cringe-inducing. still the mother-daughter lovefest at the end brought tears - blargh.
June 25, 2012
A fairly average young adult novel written in the style of an 8th grader's diary. Judi is worried about her weight and wants to do anything to be skinny. It was a quick read, but I didn't find it as amazing as my friend did who leant it to me.
June 5, 2013
I read this book when I was young and sans eating disorder. Then I was older(but still young) and with an eating disorder. I can't remember how much I liked it after developing an eating disorder, but when I read it over and over again when I was younger.
January 26, 2016
This book was a very touching book about a girl who wanted to be the thinniest girl in her grade and she would do anything to achieve that goal but her forcing herself to throw up after she ate might not have been a good choice. So she could either stop that or die.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2015
Nice book to read if you don't have much time. Definitely one of my favorites, despite the old publication date.
October 30, 2020
Ehhh, not the best issue book, not the worst issue book. I think it had some good words to say, and some weird words to say--but then again, it's from 1994, so that's to be expected.
August 31, 2016
I can relate to the story and I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews