Short & Skinny

by Mark Tatulli

New from syndicated comic strip artist Mark Tatulli comes a full-color middle grade graphic novel that centers on Mark's own experience in the summer after seventh grade.

As a middle schooler, Mark finds himself on the smaller side of the physical spectrum--being short AND skinny has really wreaked havoc on his confidence. So to end his bullying woes and get the girl--or at least the confidence to talk to the girl--he starts to explore bulking up by way of the miracle cures in the backs of his comics. But his obsession with beefing up is soon derailed by a new obsession: Star Wars, the hottest thing to hit the summer of 1977. As he explores his creative outlets as well as his cures to body image woes, Mark sets out to make his own stamp on the film that he loves.

Mark Tatulli's graphic novel debut is a humorous and heartfelt take on body-image, finding a creative outlet, and spending a summer in the 70's.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Biography, Humor, Memoir, Comics, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2018

About the author

Mark Tatulli is a comic artist and film maker, mostly known for his dark comedic newspaper strip Liō. He is the recipient of three Emmy Awards. He works for Banyan Productions. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and children.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What have I been telling you, Tatulli? CONFIDENCE! It doesn't just come from the gym. Sometimes it comes in ballet slippers. Or fixing car engines. Even making movies. Confidence, Tatulli. Then you can do anything." -- Mr. Lauer, physical education teacher

Although I know that we're a bunch of open-minded and well-read folks here on GR, I'll say right up front that potential readers should take caution to NOT simply judge Short & Skinny by its cover art. While this graphic novel memoir does have its silly and comedic moments, it also nails that nostalgic tone in the best sense of the word (that is, nostalgia - "bittersweet yearning for the things of the past" - is meant evoke both the pleasure and the pain) and speak to a teenage and adult audience.

Author Tatulli recalls his time in 7th grade back in the New Jersey suburbs of 1977, when he was lacking in height and weight (per the title) but also in direction in his young life. All that changes in the course of two hours during one summer afternoon when he views Star Wars: A New Hope during its initial release. (Tatulli's 'reaction' thoughts and illustrations as he sits in the theater were sublime.) He then sets out to make a low-rent parody/tribute version of the film using homemade props plus friends and family as the cast. Oh, and he also has to dodge a trio of bullies and find the courage to speak to his classmate crush Lisa as well. Short & Skinny walks that tricky line in being humorous and heartwarming but yet not sugarcoated, and some of the little details - such as Tatulli's phys-ed teacher surprisingly being a thoughtful and supportive type - provide reassurance that tough times (and I think junior high can be a hostile environment) will indeed build character in a person.

[Meag McHugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The graphic novel world is full of realistic stories about girls and middle school - Roller Girl, Real Friends, anything Raina Telgemeir - but I have a hard time finding good recommendations featuring boys navigating the many social and emotional pressures of middle school. I hope Short & Skinny is a sign of more to come. It hits on a lot of middle-school-boy-problems - body insecurities and bullying being the main ones, but also embracing your talents and surrounding yourself with good friends. I loved seeing all the creativity that went into creating Star Bores, too.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 1977 release of Star Wars helps a bullied seventh grader with body image issues realize that his intelligence and creativity offer a better route to popularity than any of the Charles Atlas get-fit-quick schemes advertised in the back of his comic books. A worthy moral is undercut by ho-hum delivery of this rather bland and cliched memoir.

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a good book i really liked it i liked this comic and the full book

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh.. can you just be whelm?

The graphics were good, but I didn't get the humor, and all the complaining was bothering me, I've always been fat and I still couldn't connect with this kid.

This felt a bit like the TV show The Goldbergs a story about a nerdy small kid that loves to make films, only thing is that I like that one, and with this, eh, I was just bored and wishing that he really made a compelling exiting story like he dreamed.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this graphic novel! Such a great message for kids about being true to yourself.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short & Skinny by Mark Tatulli, 249 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Little, Brown and Company, 2018. $25.

Content: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Mark is a short and skinny 7th grader. This makes him the perfect target for bullies, and overlooked by most of the girls. He really likes Lisa Gorman but his self confidence is keeping him from letting her know. While reading a comic book, he see an ad for a "get-big and strong quick" plan, so he subscribes. In the meantime - it's 1977 and he sees Star Wars - what better way to spend the summer than by making a parody of the hottest movie - that'll build his confidence!

Tatulli's graphic novel memoir about the summer between 7th and 8th grade tells a timeless story. It is a great graphic novel. Nostalgic like Roller Girl and Real Friends but this is about a boy, I really loved it - the references to drive in movies, 7-11, Slurpees and a Schwinn Stingray with a banana seat - took me right back. I hope my readers have enough context about the 70s to appreciate this as much as I did.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get that this would be a fun read for some kids who like funny, graphic memoirs. But it's set in the 1970s, and the author/protagonist is a white, suburban boy, and the author and editors just haven't done enough to either reflect on or cull out the casual racism and sexism of the time.

The book is about Mark Tatulli's middle school years when he was short and skinny (hence the name) and didn't get a lot of respect from his male peers or much attention from the young women he wanted to impress. I totally believe that kids called him "pygmy" when he was a kid in the 70s, but that's also racist and not OK. I totally believe that he completely subjectified his female classmates and had posters of "hot women" up on his walls--but I still don't want to see that depicted in a book for kids (or anyone) now, at least not with some recognition that it's an unacceptable way to treat girls.

So..yeah. Not sure what I think about this one.

[Mr. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Confidence! It doesn't just come from the gym. Sometimes it comes in ballet slippers. Or fixing car engines. Even making movies. Confidence Tatulli. Then you can do anything. See you in school."

[Raina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because a middle schooler talked about it in one of my teen book share events ("Pizza & Paperbacks") at the library.

I liked the parts about how this kid chose to manifest their fan fervor (i.e. filming their own version of Star Wars). Moviemaking is inherently interesting to me.
I also appreciated the body image stuff, from a cis male perspective.
I was also into the from-the-ground perspective of what it was like when Star Wars came out - what it meant to people who had lived in a Star Warsless universe before that.

The fullcolor illustrations are a little more raggedy than a lot of the genre peers. They have a little bit more of an edge. But as a Graphic Novel fan, I'm generally game for new ones. Even though I'm more excited about ones made by BIPOC authors.
But kids will rip right through this.

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun graphic novel that hasn't circulated at my library because it is stuck in the biographies where the kids who like comics will never find it. Sigh. It's the story of a short, skinny, middle-schooler who decides to spend the summer bulking up, but things don't quite work out as he thought. It's the summer of the release of Star Wars and he decides to make a parody movie of Star Wars on his very limited 1980's style film-making, special effects, and budget. A feel-good graphic novel that could be a good one to recommend to fans of Wimpy Kid, Timmy Failure, etc.

[C.W. Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I loved the idea of making a film after watching a film. This book also talks about issues with being different from other people that you are friends with as well as having confidence. I liked the fact that at the end of the book you got an update of where everyone is today in the world.

[SABRINA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute graphic novel about learning to accept yourself!

[Naima]

you can be anything you want

[Michelle Glatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read for fans of Raina Telgemeier and/or Star Wars.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for Tween boys!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute graphic memoir. Good things often come in small packages.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute one. <3

[Amy Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, slop! It’s the summer of 1977, and 12-year old aspiring cartoonist Mark Tatulli has had it with being short and skinny. In a last-ditch attempt to bulk up, Mark orders a bodybuilding kit that's advertised in the back of a comic book. Maybe by the beginning of eighth grade he’ll have the height, muscles, and confidence to talk to his crush, Lisa Gorman. 1977 is also the summer of Star Wars, and Mark is inspired by the game-changing movie. Mark Tatulli’s vivid artwork perfectly depicts the 1970s, while the relatable storyline captures the universal preadolescent angst. A variety of panel sizes and layouts gives every page a fresh look. Even better, the story is laugh-out-loud funny while still inviting empathy (and a touch of commiseration). Short & Skinny fits in perfectly right between Smile by Raina Telgemeier and Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

In junior high, Mark Tatulli is still short and skinny when most of the other guys in his class are taller and musclebound. He’s sick of being bullied and teased by his classmates and siblings, and decides to do something about it. His gym teacher’s suggestion that he exercise to build up his muscles (as well as his self-confidence) lingers in the back of his mind, but Mark seeks an easier way to achieve his goals and finds it in an advertisement in the back of one of his comic books. He’s sure by the end of the summer he’ll have “Miracle Muscles.” Things don’t go exactly as planned (Miracle Muscles is such a scam!), but Mark does see the movie “Star Wars” for the first time (the original film!) and gets so excited about it that he decides to make his own movie spoofing it – “Star Bores.” His enthusiasm is infectious and soon his whole family and a bunch of friends want to be involved. And, even though it’s a huge amount of work, Mark throws all of his energy into making it happen. At the end of the summer he’s still short and skinny, but he’s also really proud of himself, too, when he’s able to finish the editing of his movie and show it to the whole town on the last day of summer. Awesome. This funny, graphic autobiography will resonate with lots of kids who are waiting to come into their own (and a growth spurt sure wouldn’t hurt!). Star Wars fans and those who grew up in the late 70s will appreciate the excitement around the release of the first film.

[tony dillard jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was born in 1977. As a result, I am addicted to anything from that turning point year in pop culture history. Short and Skinny is the true story of how a certain movie from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away forever changed the life of junior high school student Mark Tatulli.


When the story opens, it's the last few days of the 1976-77 school year. Mark is the next-to-shortest kid in school. Lacking confidence and muscle mass, he's the target of bullies and ridicule from even the closet of friends. But then one day while at the movies, Mark sees a trailer for a little picture called Star Wars. As a result, what appears to be the worst summer break ever now might not be so bad.

Nostaligia is huge right now. The economic crisis, the war on terror and our volatile political climate has left many longing for the good old days of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Shows like Fresh Off The Boat, The Goldbergs and The Kids Are Alright are big hits because they remind us old folks of the fun of being a kid without much to fear. Short & Skinny is one of those books that I could see becoming a TV series. But I think it would be better at an animated show than live action.


One reason for this is how Mark Tatulli adds like segments like his dossiers on the bullies of his hometown as well as skits on how to make a model of the Death Star with zero money down. These kind of elements just scream the need to be animated instead of ever performed in live-action. Plus Tatulli’s art style is one not to be missed. It’s got elements of Calvin & Hobbes and Bloom County that would be sorely missed if a bunch of human actions were to play the roles of Mark and his family and friends.

This was a book that I didn’t want to end. It reminded me how 1977-1983 was a great time to be alive. Star Wars was king. Comic books were still considered for ‘all ages’. And while there was still the dangers of drugs and kidnappings and the Cold War, it just seemed far, far away. I know that that time period wasn’t perfect. But I appreciate Mark Tatulli’s look which removes many of the warts and winkles that sullied that time in history.

And if Short & Skinny can’t be developed into a series, then hopefully, we’ll get a sequel in which we see how Empire Strikes Back impacted Mark Tatulli’s life.

Short & Skinny is rated for those ages 8-12. Fans of Star Wars and parents who grew up in this era and want to share it with their kids or grand-kids will love this late 70s time capsule.

Short & Skinny debuted in print and digital formats on October 16, 2018.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel is the autobiographical account of young Mark Tatulli. As the title implies, he is short and skinny. He is the second shortest boy in his school. The book begins at the end of 7th grade and during his last few days of school, the reader gets a glimpse of what school is like for him because of his size - being the target of bullies, the ridicule from other kids, sometimes even his friends and the embarrassment of gym class. He describes his secret crush on Lisa and how he is too afraid to speak to her. Mark lacks confidence, something his gym teacher is trying to instill in him.

The rest of the book takes place during summer of 1977. This summer is not shaping up to be a good one, until one day he goes to the movies and sees a new film called Star Wars. This movie changes his life! Mark, who is an artist begins drawing pictures and writing a script of his own version of the movie, a spoof which he calls Star Bores. With the help of his siblings and friends, Mark films his movie. He works really hard on it and it turns out great! He gaines confidence when his film is shown at the beginning of the school year.

This graphic novel is funny and I loved the artwork. The author does a good job of describing life in the late 1970's. It was fun reading about things that I remember from my childhood, like waiting 2 weeks for film to be developed! Something kids today can't even imagine! This was a fun and enjoyable read. I think kids who like like autobiographical graphic novels with not be disappointed in this one especially if they are fan a Star Wars!

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graphic novel autobiography of the author's middle school years when he felt insecure about his body shape and stature, but found confidence through making a movie spoof of the newly released Star Wars.

These graphic novel autobiographies are insanely popular with the middle grade crowd right now, and Tatulli's book adds fills a much-needed gap. He's the first guy to write such a book. Though the book takes place mostly during the summer of 1977, the themes of insecurity and discovering your unique gifts transcend time. Star Wars is also still super popular and something that will help the new middle graders further find common ground with Tatulli's past middle grade self. It was fascinating to watch how Mark made his vision of a movie become a reality. Current readers will have their minds blown by the "ancient" technology Mark had to work with to make his movie. He put in a very impressive amount of work into it. I really love how his art-inclined father encouraged and guided him, and how his annoying siblings come through when he needs them showing they really do love him even if they don't always show it. Hand this to middle schoolers (or upper elementary students) who feel like they are inadequate and all alone in their struggles. They'll likely find comfort from Tatulli's story. Also a great pick for reluctant readers or readers who think they don't like biographies or nonfiction.

Notes on Content: No language issues. No sexual content. Some bullying, but no serious injuries.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and heartwarming autobiographical graphic novel for kids and tweens, good for "Wimpy Kid" fans. Mark is the shortest 7th grader in his junior high, too shy to talk to the girl he's crushing on, and picked on by older creepy boys. When he sees Star Wars: A New Hope for the first time in the theater (this takes place in 1977), he loves it and is inspired to write his own spoof script of it. He spends the whole summer creating costumes, buying film, recruiting his equally dorky friends to be actors in it, and filming it. He has setbacks, like getting his bike stolen or lacking proper film editing equipment, but eventually he is able to make the movie and have a local neighborhood screening. Through the story he gains confidence, realizing that "Luke is THE SHORT GUY" [from the famous line by Princess Leia, "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?"] but that he still is the hero who saves the day, and he, Mark, can be just as heroic in his own right. Just adorkable, especially when you read the author's afterword about writing it and his updates on the real-life family and friends from the book. Tatulli went on as an adult to be an Emmy-winning animation and syndicated comic strip creator and book author. The art is great, a perfect cartoony style that shows the 70's styles and fits the story.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark is short and skinny. The bullies love to pick on him. He has no self confidence. He's considered a dork. He has a secret crush on Lisa Gorman but can't get the courage up to talk to her. He has a trusty bike, a stingray he named Thunderbolt which he cherishes for the freedom it brings him. Mark draws comics and wants to be a cartoonist someday but he sort of keeps that to himself. His life changes when the new movie....different than anything else he's ever seen....comes out....Star Wars! Mark and everyone else is blown away by the story, the special effects, the sounds. Mark instantly wants to make movies like that. He starts on an adventure to produce a movie spoof. Problems arise but Mark keeps going towards his dream. He spends most of his summer alone writing, designing, making costumes and sets...his movie his only focus. When he finally takes a day off to go to the local carnival with his best friend Allan things go bad. Mark loses focus, loses his will to get up in the morning and more things happen adding to his misery. After going for his dream so strongly you can only hope he finds a way to recover and complete his movie.
Being a boy of small stature isn't easy. This book shows the struggles, the feelings and the pain that brings. Kids can be mean. But watching the underdog find his way through is uplifting.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle Grade Graphic Novel, Genre: Memoir. This story was a fun story about a young man growing up in the late 70s. He has trouble with many things, stemming from a lack of confidence due to his "short & skinny" physique. He is bullied at school and outside of it, he can't make the official swim team so his races don't count, and he certainly can't talk to the girl he likes. He passes his time doodling and creating stories. When he sees the original Star Wars in the theater, a light bulb goes off and he realizes his passion for storytelling would be well-served in movie making. His friends and family get together to create their own spoof Star Wars film. I absolutely love that his dad sees his passion and does what he can to support his dreams.

There is a lot to this book. It is a cultural time period snapshot, of the frenzy created by the first Star Wars movie. It is also a tale of finding your true passion and the people you can share it with. There are messages about body image and bullying. Overall, a good story that encourages me to seek out more work by this author.

[Michelle Tuite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading 2020
Book 7: Short & Skinny by Mark Tatulli

Remember graphic novel binging 😎. Put on hold after reading some list or other. The cover drew me and and got me excited to read this title.

The story is of the author's seventh grade year in middle school and the summer that follows in 1977. Mark is dealing with being small for his age and bullied by all the bigger guys at school and his own brother. Then a life changing event occurs, the release of the Star Wars movie. Mark decides he wants to write and film his own movie over the summer, a spoof of Star Wars.

I was drawn in by the cover of this book, and by the Star Wars connection on the inside. Star Wars was a part of my own childhood and even though my brother had all the Star Wars toys, we still had fun sharing occasionally. We even accidentally melted one of his Star Wars figures to my bedside lamp. The art in this book was great, the story really funny and endearing, a good middle grade graphic novel. Reviewed for ages 9 and older, grades 4 and higher. Another classroom library add, this one would be checked out a bunch. My rating 4.5 ⭐️

[Suebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A large majority of the coming-of-age / middle school realistic graphic novels are written for girls, and this is a wonderful, funny, solid entry that boys will enjoy because it features the author's life in middle school in 1974. Mark is short and skinny and bullied by the typical bullies in his NJ town, but he escapes on his "banana seat" bike to places like the Fox movie theater to see the first STAR WARS film, the pool, or to his basement to make homemade props for his own Star Wars parody. His mom calls him "Spark Fat" and his dad is a creative director for an advertising firm, so it's nice to see how he supports his son in various ways in the book, including purchasing an early birthday present of a film editing/splicing machine.

As a school librarian-turned-homeschool mom, this appeals to me because it shows the benefits of creative kids having large swathes of time to themselves. He spends the whole summer writing scripts, making costumes, making sets, setting fireworks to props for "special effects filming," filming with his friends as actors, then editing the Super 8 film into a 15 minute movie.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark is a short and skinny 7th grader. This makes him the perfect target for bullies, and overlooked by most of the girls. He really likes Lisa Gorman but his self confidence is keeping him from letting her know. While reading a comic book, he see an ad for a "get-big and strong quick" plan, so he subscribes. In the meantime - it's 1977 and he sees Star Wars - what better way to spend the summer than by making a parody of the hottest movie - that'll build his confidence!

Tatulli's graphic novel memoir about the summer between 7th and 8th grade tells a timeless story. It is a great graphic novel. Nostalgic like Roller Girl and Real Friends but this is about a boy, I really loved it - the references to drive in movies, 7-11, Slurpees and a Schwinn Stingray with a banana seat - took me right back. I hope my readers have enough context about the 70s to appreciate this as much as I did.

For this and more of my reviews visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

It is 1977 and Star Wars is ready to hit the theaters. Mark is in the market for a get rich quick scheme, so he tries to use an ad, which ultimately turns out to be a scam. After seeing Star Wars, Mark's life is completely turned around and he decides that he wants to make movies too. Using family and friends, mark sets off to make the next best parody film yet.

I know that this book was funny and that the illustrations were great, but I am having such a difficult time remembering the book. It is a readalike for things like Big Nate....it kinda feels like the kid friendly/ comedy version of Stranger Things. This is basically what everyone does with their life at age 12.