The Fat Boy Chronicles

by Diane Lang, Thomas H. Inge (Foreword), Michael Buchanan

"I'm the diet-challenged kid who sits in the last seat by the door. I'm probably bigger now than I was this morning because your class is right after lunch and homeroom," writes Jimmy Winterpock. At age fourteen, 5'5" Jimmy weighs 187 pounds. Outside the comfort of his family and church, life for Jimmy is a constant struggle. The cruel taunts of his classmates make going to school or playing sports a humiliating experience. Yet, he still manages to focus on his goals--to lose weight and win over the girl of his dreams.


Inspired by a true story, THE FAT BOY CHRONICLES reveals to readers the emotionally painful world obese teens experiece in the face of a thin-obsessed society.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, High School, Middle Grade

228 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

An effervescent speaker and impassioned naturalist, Diane Lang began working as a docent at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek, California in 2001. Over the next decade, she presented public programs about the various wild animals that reside at the museum, led class tours, visited schools, and worked directly with the museum’s non-releasable hawks, owls, falcons, and yes, vultures. Before long Diane was also docenting at Sulphur Creek Nature Center in Hayward and at Eaton Canyon Nature Center back in her hometown of Pasadena where she helped to create innovative nature-focused curricula for student groups.

She’d already served as a reader in the public schools via the Pleasanton Public Library and had read countless books to her son Peter. And before that, she’d honed her writing skills in the publications department at the California Institute of Technology. She holds a B.A. from Cal State Los Angeles.

Diane has written verses for fun all her life, but she started spending more time at it just a few years ago, when she wondered if putting some of the animal information into rhyme would help children remember it. During some programs, she would say to the children that even though we don’t send birthday cards or valentines to spiders and insects, we probably should, because they are some of our best friends! As she wondered what such valentines might sound like, she started having fun with the idea, and Vulture Verses: Love Poems for the Unloved was born.

After sharing her fascination with the natural world and its more exotic animals with children at these three nature centers, Diane goes home to her husband, the acclaimed origami artist and physicist Robert Lang, and her menagerie (which includes the tarantula she travels with), and writes poems about her favorite critters.

Reviews

[Tammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT WAS A FANTASTIC BOOOK! My teacher read it to me and it was fuuny and sad! LOVED IT! I RECCOMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE! This is on of my top 5 favorite books! But what i hate is that my teacher wouldnt read out the party scene or any other bad scence so right now im going to be reading the parts me and my class mates missed out on!

[Ricardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just wow. I like how the main character Jimmy was portrayed. He was 5'5 and 187 pounds. He was a Freshmen in a new high school. his family always moved him for some reason. He was a friendly person but he had no friends. On his first day of school he sat with this other loner kid and was not so great. He was pushed around by the jocks. In gym class he was called piggy. one time in order to make friends he decided to dare a "friend" to run across the gym and back in his underpants. He did that too but instead they closed the door on him, he was naked on the hallway. Since he was tired of people calling him piggy he decided to loose wight and started to run a lot. He met this girl in English Julia, who he fell in love with. He was given this journal to write his feelings everyday for English homework. He mostly wrote about Julia. He invited her to church and then just started to date. When they started to date this guy bullied him for taking his girl. One day he was tired of him being bullied bu that guy he decided to kiss his girlfriend in the cafeteria in front of the whole school. Then school was over and they lived happily ever after. i really enjjoyed the book because i can relate to him but i didnt get a girlfriend or get called piggy. i just did it for myself. My favorite part was when he kissed Julia in front of the whole school. My least favorite part was when he was being bullied. My cousin and i did a dare on netflix he would watch a movie based on a book and i would read the ok which was fine by me. I proved him that the book was better. i would reccomend it but be aware you might get emotional.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this for my son and read it first and am glad I did because I will not be giving it to him. I found the book condescending and preachy and am shocked by reviews that say it has a positive body image storyline- at one point the narrator actually says "Fat is fat. Bad is bad." He talks about wanting to die in one chapter but figuring he'd be too fat to hang himself? Seriously? And the kid drops 60 lbs in a few months and it fixes all of his self image issues? Also, there is a ton of religious propaganda. This book reminds me of all the bad parts of Go Ask Alice, but told from the perspective of a fat Jesus Camp devotee that religious parents would want their child to look up to. It was a weird book. Parts of it seemed quite realistic, but other parts (his best friend's entire life) were like a bad after school special remade for the App generation. The portrayal of the sister is not even thinly veiled misogyny. The plot moved along at a decent pace and the book is an easy read, but it's simply hokey in some parts and unbelievably strange in others. I originally gave it two stars, because I did rrad it straight through, but I can't in good conscience recommend anyone actually read this book because I think it could be downright damaging to some kids who struggle with the very real issues the authors try to cover. So only one star, and will be donating this one rather than giving it to my kid.

[Alex Schwartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My cousin called me and said, ¨You need to read this book! Its called 'The Fat Boy Chronicles'. I know it sounds a little weird, but it's a true story and it is amazing!!" So, I listened to her and I started reading the book. I don't know what happened to me, but all of a sudden I felt like I was in the book. I could not look away, even if I tried. The book was just that good.

The book is about a boy named Jimmy Winterpock. He is only 5'5¨ at 14 years old, but he weighs 187 pounds. He knows that the world that we live in is ruled by taunting thin people, and his high school really showed him that. He was bullied my many people. They called him ¨fatty¨ and ¨piggy¨ and other mean names that got to his head. So, Jimmy came up with a plan to lose weight and win the girl of his dreams, Sable (because obviously the girl of his dreams wouldn't like a fat piggy like him). Jimmy was extremely wrong when he found out that everybody is self-conscious, including Sable. Sable did like Jimmy back. She didn't care if he was overweight or not. She liked his personality, and that's all that mattered.

This book was amazing!!!! I just couldn't get enough of it. I recommend this book to anybody. This book is great no matter what your favorite book genre is. Please read this book!!

Have fun!

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by YA Librarian Elizabeth for TeensReadToo.com

THE FAT BOY CHRONICLES is inspired by a true story.

14-year-old Jimmy has to write a diary about his life for English class. He reluctantly does this, even though he thinks it is lame, but soon opens up about his struggles: being at a new school, and constantly and cruelly being teased for being overweight.

Jimmy and his best friend, Paul, drift apart when Paul becomes overwhelmed by family problems and obsessed with proving his neighbor is the man who murdered a girl in their town. Jimmy's popular sister can eat anything she wants and stay thin. He has a crush on Whitney, who is nice to him but won't acknowledge she knows him in front of others.

Frustrated by his life, Jimmy goes on a diet and exercises and starts to lose weight - and finds his new look changes his old outlook on life.

[Dede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because it is part of the OverDrive Summer reading initiative. It is aimed at students in grades 6-12. I had to make myself stop reading and go to sleep last night which is a sign of a good book for me, but it made me sad. I wondered if some of my students have been bullied behind my back like Jimmy was. I want to remember this book and be extra vigilant for students who might be bullied in the future. I also won't be so quick to let a comment slide if a student tells me "it's okay; they were just playing around." The characters seem like real teenagers, and most of the scenarios are very realistic. There is some hope at the end. So, it isn't a downer of a book. I didn't find it as funny as some of the other reviewers did, but maybe that is because I have a different perspective as a teacher. I would recommend that all my teacher friends read it.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met David and Diane at a conference in New Orleans, and after listening to them read a selection and then discuss the premise of how the book came to be, I bought it and had them sign it.
I believe this book is a book that parents and teachers should read. I was very glad that Jimmy's story is one of hope and that through hard work and effort, you can change a bad situation for the better. This story is being made into a movie, and certainly one I will show to my classes.
Lang and Buchanan touch on some topics that have stigma attached to them like obesity, cutting, bullying, and abuse. All in all, a great book. I really liked the authors and wish them the best with their movie and future books.

[Stasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific book! As a teacher, the voice of the narrator is sincere and true. I don't know if I've ever read another YA book that was as believable in how the characters are portrayed. I cheered and laughed throughout the majority of it. It was refreshing to see that church was a place that the young boy felt accepted, as many YA novels take a different approach. Also, the fact that it was inspired/based on a true story made the story even better. Please read it! I loaned my copy to a student, so I cannot loan it to you...;-)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and finished it in one day (thank you, summer vacation!). The narrator is a ninth grade boy who is writing this journal as a school assignment and his description of the struggles he encounters starting at a new school as an overweight student with no friends. I enjoyed the narrator's intelligent, thoughtful, and well-meaning character throughout the story, as opposed to some other novels' high school male narrators who tend to be aloof and annoying to me (Catcher in the Rye, Perks of Being a Wallflower, etc.).

[Lynn Gagnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the main character in this book. He was believable, courageous, and genuinely cared about those around him. This is an excellent book about managing and living through being bullied. The story line allows readers to experience how a few thoughtless words can have a huge negative impact on another's life. It's not always apparent what another person is going through, and thisIt also emphasized how important friends are in this stage of life. At times, it can be preachy and illustrates how God and church help keep life in perspective.

[Betsy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the authors at the International Reading Association conference in May. I purchased the book because I have a soon-to-be step-grandson who has faced bullying and peer-horrors. This book was an eye-opener. It is so difficult for parents and teachers to see the destruction of words. Every teacher needs to read this book. It should be on the required reading list for every middle school in the country, but to be read as a discussion book in a class, not just a homework project.

[Ms. Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journal form, based on a true story, of a boy's struggle with bullying and obesity. He ultimately is motivated to lose weight, and things begin to turn around, but his inner voice in the journal comes across as realistic and spot on.

[Sean Kottke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a column on bullying and weight issues. A solidly relatable and inspirational narrative of coping with bullying. Like Perks of Being a Wallflower, it's notable for its braiding with classic novels on similar themes, read and remarked upon by the protagonist.

[Kathie Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Anyone can relate to this book. Those who are bullied, find hope. Those who are bullies, find forgiveness. A must read for everyone.

[Nikole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book. I would love to use it for middle school, but a lot of parts are too old, so I would have to leave out some parts.

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 1 out of 5]

The message of this book; fat kids can best be happy if they lose weight. Reads like government anti-fat propaganda. Feh!

[Tess Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a great message about body image and accepting others.

[Jagger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very inspiring and shows what the life of a overweight kid is like.

[Hannah Carlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very inspiring to me and made me rethink how I talk to people and who I talk to and who I ignore.

[Meg]

Liked the ending. True words spoken.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a book study. Alot of good discussion came from it.

[Ned · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone who works with children/teenagers. I'd also recommend it to all parents.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a realistic account of some of the challenges teens are facing. In addition to the bullying the main character faces, it describes some tough home issues his friends are facing. Lucky for Jimmy (the main character), he has a loving and supportive family that keeps him grounded. I would recommend this to every kid from about 13 to 15 to help them see things from different points of view- and perhaps experience a little empathy.

[Lemuel Irabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I ever read..

Based on a true story,The Fat Boy Chronicles tells of Jimmy's travails growing up as the most corpulent kid in school.

[Ranette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not very impressed by this book. The writing was 6th grade, plot regular and very little action or introspection.

[Karis Jacobstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a great in-class read-and-discuss for students, grades 8 or 9 and up. It is written in journal form, by a 9th grade boy who happens to be obese. He chronicles his feelings as he goes on a personal journey over the course of his freshman year, starting out as the "fat kid" that everyone picks on, and ending up, through enormous strength of will, 60 lbs lighter. Sadly, some kids still pick on him, even when he is no longer the "fat kid", but overall his life improves in many ways. What I really liked about this book is that Jimmy (the protagonist), never loses sight of who he is and has a maturity that most kids his age aren't even capable of imagining, mostly due to the support of the few friends he has, his faith in God, and his great parents. I think this book could open a lot of teenage minds to the hurt caused by not only what they say, but what they don't say. Jimmy seemed more hurt when kids didn't take up for him when he was being teased, than the teasing itself (especially when sometimes it was clear that the spectators were uncomfortable with what was happening and appeared to want to say something). We all know that no matter what they read or hear, there will always be kids who will torment others, but I think this book will speak to those who feel bad that it's happening, and if it manages to incite even one kid to take up in defense of a kid like Jimmy, it's worth it. Thankfully, Jimmy did have some friends and a supportive home and church life. Because he had that, he was able to take the teasing and use it as motivation to change his life. Had he been a kid without those things (like his friend Paul), facing what Jimmy faced at school, this story could have had a very tragic ending. This book could also be a source of encouragement for kids like Jimmy. Perhaps a "fat kid" would read this in class and say, "If he can do it, why can't I?". Another thing I liked about this book is that it wasn't wrapped up neatly. Jimmy didn't become "Mr. Popular" and the teasing didn't stop entirely when he lost weight. Jimmy still remained somewhat of a social outcast, but he was okay with it because HE knew what he gained by losing the weight; self-confidence, better health, and the respect of others (who can look at at a kid who drops 60 lbs in less than a year and not respect them?). He was secure enough in his sense of self, that he didn't need to be the most popular kid at school. He knew who his friends were. They were there when he was fat... A few words of caution to parents... While there is an enormously positive message here, this book is highly inappropriate for younger students. As this is the journal of a HS aged boy, there is content that would be inappropriate for most kids under the age of 14. There is quite a bit of talk about sex. There is much recreational drinking and drug use (pot and cocaine) by teens, without much negative consequence associated with it. There is a fair amount of cursing. Also, one of Jimmy friends is a cutter. I'm not naive. I know what is "normal" for HS, and I think if a HS student read this, they would not be shocked by the things in this book having already been exposed to much of it, however, while some younger students have been exposed to these things, most have not and probably should wait to read this book. I would also tell parents to make sure that there is discussion when this book is read. I would not just give this book at a teen and say "read this". This is definitely an opening for a very important discussion between kids and adults, and should not be missed.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane Lang and Daivd Buchanan's book "The fat boy chronicles" is a really good book. It's about a 15 year old boy name Jimmy Winterpock. He starts his freshman year horrible because everyone teases him about his weight. He's currently 5"5 and weighs about 187 pounds. His first day of school, his English teacher, Mrs. Pope, assigns them to write in journals twice a week for the whole school year. He writes down everything that he does, for example, when Nate Hammer, a popular kid, tends to make fun of Jimmy calling him "Slim Jim", "Fatboy" and "it's the boy with manboobs". Jimmy always gets upset and he even thought about suicide until he heard his preacher talk about life and judgement and that changed his mind.

I like this book because it gives a lot of details and it's written like a journal. I think books like this is more interesting to read. I would totally recommend this book to everyone; it's a really good book and it can inspire you to stop judging people about their looks. It's just like the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover"; don't judge other people by their looks.

[James Vachowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmy Winterpock always gets teased by the football team for being fat. He’s not just a little overweight, mind you, but just plain fat. Thanks to a writing journal kept for his English class, we get to follow along over the course of the school year as Jimmy works to slim down with healthy lifestyle changes. Jimmy is thrilled to see the changes in his body, and along the way he discovers that nearly all of his school friends have some kind of personal problems as well.

Even though this book seems to be focused on Jimmy’s personal struggle with obesity, I found myself even more sympathetic to the other kids at his school. Adolescence is hard enough by itself, but you’re really creating a recipe for disaster when you add in other risks like abusive parents, depression or learning disabilities. Although this book is clearly categorized as “young adult” due to its mature themes, I’d actually recommend it for parents as well. Jimmy’s journal provides a window into the mind of a teenager, and the issues they could be silently struggling with.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Language – PG13 (16 swears, 0 “f”), Sexual Content – PG-13; Violence – PG
Jimmy is an obese freshman in high school who gets ridiculed a lot. Jimmy never thought there was anything wrong with his weight until this year. Now he is made fun of everyday and even considers suicide, but he doesn’t really want to die. That’s why he decides to become less fat, but as Jimmy takes control of his life, his few friend’s lives fall to pieces. How will they all survive high school?
I loved and hated reading this book because it is so true! I was just a freshman and I can tell you from experience that no one can possibly be more mean then high school students. It makes me happy that Jimmy finally learned to ignore the jerks and be his own person. You can always take control of your own life and I love how Jimmy’s story shows that everyone can survive high school.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Andrea Mullarkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s time to take a break from YA lit. I know this because this book should have been a hit with me but instead I just feel meh. The story of an obese high school freshman told through his journals, The Fat Boy Chronicles fell sort of flat. Jimmy is a likable enough character, the fat kid in the back row of class that we all remember from our own high school experience. He is bullied and beaten and taken advantage of. And through this he writes with honesty about the struggles to stay engaged and possibly even fit in. His best friends have real problems, too and I had a sense that this is what life is really like for overweight kids today. And yet I still couldn’t get into it. I’m guessing that it’s just a matter of being somewhat saturated with these YA problem novels. I’m on the lookout for a more traditional something to sink my teeth into.