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Huge
In this funny, poignant novel that is now an ABC Family original television series, sixteen-year-olds Wilhelmina and April meet at Wellness Springs, a posh fat camp in California. Wil couldn’t be more upset to be there and pledges not to lose a single pound all summer as a way of rebelling. April, on the other hand, has saved up her meager Blockbuster salary to go to Wellness Springs after seeing it featured in Teen Vogue . Assigned to be bunkmates and workout partners, the girls hate each other from the start. But when they both set their sights on the same guy, their goals are suddenly in sync, and it’s only a matter of who gets there first. Will they end up losing more than just weight? This summer is going to be Huge !
261 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
33 people are currently reading
750 people want to read
About the author
Sasha Paley
2 books11 followersSasha Paley grew up in Chicago, where she spent a lot of time writing in cafés and attempting to flirt with guys from Northwestern. Sasha now lives in New York City, where she still spends a lot of time writing in cafés and working on her flirting skills.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
June 29, 2010
What I learned from this book is you only get pretty if you lose weight.
I learned that your mom's so fat she sends you cookies at fat camp. HA HA. Fat people! They're so stupid!
I learned apparently my track pants from Target are not the hot brand.
I learned the only reason anyone could be happy with their weight is to spite someone.
I learned there is a shameful lack of kissing and making out and sexual experimentation even with kids in the wilderness together for weeks on end.
I learned if you're hanging around a bunch of fatties you'd better make sure to keep reminding the reader how fat these fatties are by detailing their chubby fingers and their stomach rolls and their large thighs and how sweaty they are.
If you're fat and want to feel like shit about yourself, go ahead and read this. I think I'm gonna go rewatch Hairspray instead.
(read: 102)
I learned that your mom's so fat she sends you cookies at fat camp. HA HA. Fat people! They're so stupid!
I learned apparently my track pants from Target are not the hot brand.
I learned the only reason anyone could be happy with their weight is to spite someone.
I learned there is a shameful lack of kissing and making out and sexual experimentation even with kids in the wilderness together for weeks on end.
I learned if you're hanging around a bunch of fatties you'd better make sure to keep reminding the reader how fat these fatties are by detailing their chubby fingers and their stomach rolls and their large thighs and how sweaty they are.
If you're fat and want to feel like shit about yourself, go ahead and read this. I think I'm gonna go rewatch Hairspray instead.
(read: 102)
August 10, 2010
I decided to read this because there's a new show on ABC FAMILY about kids at fat camp, starring the girl from Hairspray (the movie version of the musical version of the John Waters movie). I have long been obsessed with John Waters. Consequently, this book is about 4 degrees from anything I'm actually interested in. But I was flying across the country on a non-stop screaming babies flight and this book was enough to distract me and also quick enough that I was finished before we landed in Seattle. It's different from the tv show, of course, but I'm not sure if it's better like most book->tv translations. The characters are mostly rough approximations of themselves. The major thematic elements are in place - the mystery and exuberance of summer camp, the crushes, the counselors, the food that is snuck into the bunks, etc.
The main characters are Wil & April. Wil is a rich spoiled brat from Malibu who was sent against her will to fat camp so she can lose some weight and stop embarrassing her parents who own Excalibur, a chain of expensive workout centers. She has an ipod and lots of hidden snacks in her luggage. She's determined to be the first person to gain weight at this fat camp. April comes from the wrong side of the tracks in San Luis Obispo. She saved all of her christmas and birthday money for over a year (this camp costs like $7,000.00 so I'm not sure what kind of birthday money she gets?) to pay her own way to the fat camp. Her mom is really fat, and suffering the health effects of it. April just wants a better chance at life, you guys. She is really earnest and semi-clueless. She wishes she was popular, but she has no idea how to handle the games and gossip of the popular girls. She definitely does not have an ipod.
The longing and angst of adolescence shines in this book. The confusing, constantly changing landscape of the world is not far beneath the surface. I appreciated the treatment of Wil & April's relationship - it passes the Bechdel Test. They talk about boys, sure, but also their families, shopping, eventually money, and they dance around the topic of privilege. They get mad at each other. They hurt each other. They work through things. They depend on each other even when they don't want to. It's complicated, like friendships of teenage girls usually are.
My main issue with the book would be the way that the size of the fat kids was handled. The extra weight is simultaneously the most important and least important part of the story, but in the exact opposite way I would wish it was handled. I would hope that the pounds would be there, obviously a subtext for the story, but it don't need to be mentioned over and over because it's just the context for a story about Humans and their Human Humanity, right? Not quite.
It's kind of like Bridget Jones Diary -- the young adult fiction is formatted into short chapters with logs of hours of exercise per day, and strict food diaries. It reads a little too awkwardly "how to." And here are some of the adjectives: ample, generous, round, thick. OK, OK, they're fat. Kids at fat camp -- can we just assume that they are all overweight, everyone knows how to use a thesaurus, and get on with the story? All of the kids came to Wellness Canyon to lose weight and be some better version of themselves - except Wil, who delivers brief early tirades about liking yourself the way that you are. She implies maybe not everyone wants to change to fit some strict sense of normality. Her resistance to losing weight is tied up in the ways she resents her parents and their control over her life. Don't worry, by the end of the summer she has unintentionally lost lots of weight and her clothes are falling off like all the campers going home too small for their skinny jeans. Her relationship with her parents is markedly less combative, either in addition to or because of her weight loss. I'm not saying that all fat teens have radical fat politics, but one of them could have considered something for a minute.
Despite all that, the book was a very quick and fairly enjoyable read. There was no profound revelation. I didn't feel less alone in the world at the end, but it was a sufficiently entertaining way to cross the country at 35,000 feet.
The main characters are Wil & April. Wil is a rich spoiled brat from Malibu who was sent against her will to fat camp so she can lose some weight and stop embarrassing her parents who own Excalibur, a chain of expensive workout centers. She has an ipod and lots of hidden snacks in her luggage. She's determined to be the first person to gain weight at this fat camp. April comes from the wrong side of the tracks in San Luis Obispo. She saved all of her christmas and birthday money for over a year (this camp costs like $7,000.00 so I'm not sure what kind of birthday money she gets?) to pay her own way to the fat camp. Her mom is really fat, and suffering the health effects of it. April just wants a better chance at life, you guys. She is really earnest and semi-clueless. She wishes she was popular, but she has no idea how to handle the games and gossip of the popular girls. She definitely does not have an ipod.
The longing and angst of adolescence shines in this book. The confusing, constantly changing landscape of the world is not far beneath the surface. I appreciated the treatment of Wil & April's relationship - it passes the Bechdel Test. They talk about boys, sure, but also their families, shopping, eventually money, and they dance around the topic of privilege. They get mad at each other. They hurt each other. They work through things. They depend on each other even when they don't want to. It's complicated, like friendships of teenage girls usually are.
My main issue with the book would be the way that the size of the fat kids was handled. The extra weight is simultaneously the most important and least important part of the story, but in the exact opposite way I would wish it was handled. I would hope that the pounds would be there, obviously a subtext for the story, but it don't need to be mentioned over and over because it's just the context for a story about Humans and their Human Humanity, right? Not quite.
It's kind of like Bridget Jones Diary -- the young adult fiction is formatted into short chapters with logs of hours of exercise per day, and strict food diaries. It reads a little too awkwardly "how to." And here are some of the adjectives: ample, generous, round, thick. OK, OK, they're fat. Kids at fat camp -- can we just assume that they are all overweight, everyone knows how to use a thesaurus, and get on with the story? All of the kids came to Wellness Canyon to lose weight and be some better version of themselves - except Wil, who delivers brief early tirades about liking yourself the way that you are. She implies maybe not everyone wants to change to fit some strict sense of normality. Her resistance to losing weight is tied up in the ways she resents her parents and their control over her life. Don't worry, by the end of the summer she has unintentionally lost lots of weight and her clothes are falling off like all the campers going home too small for their skinny jeans. Her relationship with her parents is markedly less combative, either in addition to or because of her weight loss. I'm not saying that all fat teens have radical fat politics, but one of them could have considered something for a minute.
Despite all that, the book was a very quick and fairly enjoyable read. There was no profound revelation. I didn't feel less alone in the world at the end, but it was a sufficiently entertaining way to cross the country at 35,000 feet.
October 8, 2010
If you decided to read this book because you like the TV series on ABC Family, don't. The two have nothing in common besides the title, Wil's name, and the concept of kids at fat camp. These differences don't necessarily mean one is worse than the other. No, there are plenty of more reasons for that. This is one of the few instances that the TV series has actually more plot, heart, and character development than the book.
One of things that really,truly pissed me off was all the brand name dropping. Good Lord! See, I'm not the most fashionable person in the world, or even remotely wealthy. I think Coach bags are ugly. Gucci sunglasses make people look like insects. Vera Bradley reminds me of diaper bags. Ugg boots are like bear feet. I don't want the word "Juicy" printed on my ass. I don't wear makeup unless forced to by my mother, for a costume of some sort, or when I fall asleep in public places. I wear clothes from Wal-Mart if I like them well enough. But the way this book makes it sound, brands are the most important thing in the world. There must have been over 200 references to brands in this book. This isn't Gossip Girl, Ms. Paley, it's fat camp. I understand that you want to emphasize the class differences between Wil and April, but its a little overboard to mention the brand of ALARM CLOCK like its the sort of thing everyone notices. Gosh, it was just so damn annoying.
And I laughed when it said "for Ages 12 and up" on the back cover. Please! What part of this book is inappropriate? Sure, there is the occasionally mild curse word and an obscure mentioning of "hooking up", but this book seemed like something more for ten year olds. I mean, this is the last sentence: "But nothing- nothing at all- was sweeter than leaving Wellness Canyon with a new best friend by her side." BLECH. And all the writing was just as cheesy and horrible.
This book also failed miserably at creating anything resembling interesting characters. They were predictable stereotypes. April overeagerness was absolutely cringe-worthy. I felt embarrassed for her most of the time. Wil, while slightly more likable, could shed her "tough exterior" and become just as cheesy as the rest of them when the situation arose. Jessica and Marci(?) were just popular girls, and Colin was nothing more than a mean jock. Just nothing special. The plot was also very tired. I felt like I was reading some Mary-Kate and Ashley junk.
Also, the overall message was just horrendous. You think that a message from a book about fat camp would be something like "be comfortable in your own shoes" or something, right? Nope! The thinnest girls were always the prettiest, and the characters only felt good once they saw the pounds being ticked off on the scale. Even Wil, who was confident in her body beforehand, sold out. Great.
Overall, a truly disappointing book. Its a good thing I won this book and didn't pay anything for it. I do recommend the TV show, though. Its infinitely better.
One of things that really,truly pissed me off was all the brand name dropping. Good Lord! See, I'm not the most fashionable person in the world, or even remotely wealthy. I think Coach bags are ugly. Gucci sunglasses make people look like insects. Vera Bradley reminds me of diaper bags. Ugg boots are like bear feet. I don't want the word "Juicy" printed on my ass. I don't wear makeup unless forced to by my mother, for a costume of some sort, or when I fall asleep in public places. I wear clothes from Wal-Mart if I like them well enough. But the way this book makes it sound, brands are the most important thing in the world. There must have been over 200 references to brands in this book. This isn't Gossip Girl, Ms. Paley, it's fat camp. I understand that you want to emphasize the class differences between Wil and April, but its a little overboard to mention the brand of ALARM CLOCK like its the sort of thing everyone notices. Gosh, it was just so damn annoying.
And I laughed when it said "for Ages 12 and up" on the back cover. Please! What part of this book is inappropriate? Sure, there is the occasionally mild curse word and an obscure mentioning of "hooking up", but this book seemed like something more for ten year olds. I mean, this is the last sentence: "But nothing- nothing at all- was sweeter than leaving Wellness Canyon with a new best friend by her side." BLECH. And all the writing was just as cheesy and horrible.
This book also failed miserably at creating anything resembling interesting characters. They were predictable stereotypes. April overeagerness was absolutely cringe-worthy. I felt embarrassed for her most of the time. Wil, while slightly more likable, could shed her "tough exterior" and become just as cheesy as the rest of them when the situation arose. Jessica and Marci(?) were just popular girls, and Colin was nothing more than a mean jock. Just nothing special. The plot was also very tired. I felt like I was reading some Mary-Kate and Ashley junk.
Also, the overall message was just horrendous. You think that a message from a book about fat camp would be something like "be comfortable in your own shoes" or something, right? Nope! The thinnest girls were always the prettiest, and the characters only felt good once they saw the pounds being ticked off on the scale. Even Wil, who was confident in her body beforehand, sold out. Great.
Overall, a truly disappointing book. Its a good thing I won this book and didn't pay anything for it. I do recommend the TV show, though. Its infinitely better.
August 25, 2015
If I was into book burning (which I am not) I would burn this book at the stake. It is wrong on so many levels I don't want to waste my life time explaining it. I already wasted enough trying to read it inbetween the endless stream of brand name dispersal. Someone else here has counted them.
Aside from being practically unreadable, it also perpetuates every single myth about obesity while framing it in a kind of modern day Lemon Popsicle (it's a 1970s series of Israeli teen films) - Pretty in Pink way.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS WAS PUBLISHED.
Aside from being practically unreadable, it also perpetuates every single myth about obesity while framing it in a kind of modern day Lemon Popsicle (it's a 1970s series of Israeli teen films) - Pretty in Pink way.
I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS WAS PUBLISHED.
August 12, 2021
I would not recommend “Huge'' by Sasha Paley to any high schooler because it is just implying fat shaming and bullying. In the beginning, Paley shows a preview of what you might see in the book: “At fat camp, even the drama is huge” (Paley). “Huge” is a synonym of fat; the author tries to use it to be funny, but she’s really just offensive. I thought the whole book would be about acceptance, but it wasn’t at all -- it was just a twisted version of the cover, emphasizing fat-shaming. In the story, Wil is rich and her parents signed her up to get into a fat camp, while April saved up every last dime to get into the camp (Paley). What this is implying is, basically got bullied for not having the money for the camp. Even though she was more enthusiastic for the camp. In the ending, Paley provides some concluding thoughts for her readers: “It was sweet to be skinny, but it was sweeter still to have a new best friend” (Paley 272). This statement implies fat shaming because a fat person eats sweets. While Paley may be trying to be funny, it’s just not. In conclusion, the message is basically that if you're fat you're not pretty, I don't think that this book should have been written as a young adult book because this could change a child's body image in a negative way.
March 21, 2011
So many kinds of not impressed. If I could give half stars, this would be a 1.5.
Some spoilers in what follows, but they should all be below the fold.
Let's put this in bullet points, because it isn't worth in-depth commentary:
-Unrealistic
-Unlikeable (and often completely idiotic) characters
-Utterly one-dimensional characters
-Dropped plotlines: what happened with April's mother? What happens when they leave camp? All research - not that there's much of it - suggests that weight-loss camps DON'T WORK in the long run. Why else would there be so many repeat customers?
-There was exactly one camper who didn't want to be there. One. I know that weight-loss camps have gotten more popular among teenager - i.e., it's no longer just teens whose parents forced them to go - but I cannot believe that Every Single Person (except Wil) shipped off to "fat camp" wants to be there.
-On that subject, Every Single Person (except April) at camp is most likely not rich... and going out and buying your poor friend expensive clothing is not a way to make amends for being a bitch. Seriously, Wil? Seriously?
-Releases be damned, I highly doubt that any counselors who valued their jobs would handcuff and blindfold wayward campers and dump them miles from camp, telling them to find their own way home.
So what's the lesson here? Let's see. It's really funny to put laxatives in someone's protein shake, except it's also Really Bad. Even people who are happy with themselves (and therefore have a Bad Attitude) will be happier when they lose weight (and therefore gain a better attitude). Popular cute guys don't show any of their flaws until they've made out with you and thus can humiliate you. Also, there are wildly popular people and there are wildly unpopular people, but there is nobody in between.
Bah. Now I'm sorry I spent two and a half hours reading this book.
Some spoilers in what follows, but they should all be below the fold.
Let's put this in bullet points, because it isn't worth in-depth commentary:
-Unrealistic
-Unlikeable (and often completely idiotic) characters
-Utterly one-dimensional characters
-Dropped plotlines: what happened with April's mother? What happens when they leave camp? All research - not that there's much of it - suggests that weight-loss camps DON'T WORK in the long run. Why else would there be so many repeat customers?
-There was exactly one camper who didn't want to be there. One. I know that weight-loss camps have gotten more popular among teenager - i.e., it's no longer just teens whose parents forced them to go - but I cannot believe that Every Single Person (except Wil) shipped off to "fat camp" wants to be there.
-On that subject, Every Single Person (except April) at camp is most likely not rich... and going out and buying your poor friend expensive clothing is not a way to make amends for being a bitch. Seriously, Wil? Seriously?
-Releases be damned, I highly doubt that any counselors who valued their jobs would handcuff and blindfold wayward campers and dump them miles from camp, telling them to find their own way home.
So what's the lesson here? Let's see. It's really funny to put laxatives in someone's protein shake, except it's also Really Bad. Even people who are happy with themselves (and therefore have a Bad Attitude) will be happier when they lose weight (and therefore gain a better attitude). Popular cute guys don't show any of their flaws until they've made out with you and thus can humiliate you. Also, there are wildly popular people and there are wildly unpopular people, but there is nobody in between.
Bah. Now I'm sorry I spent two and a half hours reading this book.
Read
May 9, 2017The book I am reading is Huge. Huge is about two girls named April and Wil. April has always wanted to go to the "fat camp" and Wil is being forced to go by her parents. When they get to camp, Wil hates it and April loves it. They meet each other and instantly April can tell that she won't like Wil. April and Wil end up being roommates. I like this book because it shows the struggles of being over weight. My favorite part so far was when April saved up enough money to even get to go. She was so excited and I love it when happy things happen in books. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with weight or anyone who just wants a good read. Over all this is a very good book.
January 24, 2015
The tagline of this book is "At fat camp, even the drama is...Huge." I honestly picked up this book thinking that tag was meant in a clever way and Paley's was going to be a fat positive approach to weight loss camp; meaning, the ultimate message of this book would be acceptance and love for self at any size. But Huge is so not that and it's kind of sneaky about it, given the teenage audience, and I'm really pretty disgusted by it actually.
Long review to come.
Long review to come.
October 27, 2011
**THIS TEXT CONTAINS PRACTICALLY NOTHING BUT SPOILERS**
I was actually planning on giving this book 4 stars out of 5, but then the last part of the book happened. The story was nice; two girls, completely different, meeting at a place where they will have to get along even though they won't. It's a good concept, and the story was nicely written. What I have problems with are all the loose ends and "unfair stuff" that happened:
The fact that April's mum called to tell her she had been diagnosed with diabetes was quite odd. It was a dramatic scene, and April was deeply affected by it. But her mother's sickness was only mentioned in that particular scene. It didn't do a thing for the story; it didn't motivate April to work harder, it didn't make her leave the camp, it didn't make her unstable the rest of the story. It's weird how it was just left in there.
Colin behaves like a moron the whole time, and he treats especially April and Wil in a very unacceptable way. Their revenge on him, the prank with the laxatives, was fairly innocent and I feel it would have been more than justified the let them get away with that. Instead they were punished in a way that made me uncomfortable: the leader wakes them up in the middle of the night, blindfolds and cuffs them and drives away with them. They get dropped off at a spot that seems to be several hours away from the camp. Sure they've spent the summer at the camp, but they haven't been allowed to leave the camp site themselves, they're not familiar with the surroundings, neither of them are from that place, and it's nighttime. Loads of things could have happened to them, among others they could have gotten lost or been attacked (by both animals and other people).
Nothing is cleared up with the camp leader, Melanie, after that incident. They just eventually arrive back at the camp, pack their things and leave (since it's the last day and the point where families and transport are picking them up to take them home).
The end is about Wil's angst when her parents pick her up. They continue with treating her badly and being awful parents. At least April and Wil becomes friends. But after finishing this book I'm just filled with unease. None of the problems in the book gets solved, they just become one big mess of sad feelings.
I give this books 2 stars, instead of 1, because I really enjoyed it up until 4/5 in where it was clear that nothing would get solved and only more bad things happened.
I was actually planning on giving this book 4 stars out of 5, but then the last part of the book happened. The story was nice; two girls, completely different, meeting at a place where they will have to get along even though they won't. It's a good concept, and the story was nicely written. What I have problems with are all the loose ends and "unfair stuff" that happened:
The fact that April's mum called to tell her she had been diagnosed with diabetes was quite odd. It was a dramatic scene, and April was deeply affected by it. But her mother's sickness was only mentioned in that particular scene. It didn't do a thing for the story; it didn't motivate April to work harder, it didn't make her leave the camp, it didn't make her unstable the rest of the story. It's weird how it was just left in there.
Colin behaves like a moron the whole time, and he treats especially April and Wil in a very unacceptable way. Their revenge on him, the prank with the laxatives, was fairly innocent and I feel it would have been more than justified the let them get away with that. Instead they were punished in a way that made me uncomfortable: the leader wakes them up in the middle of the night, blindfolds and cuffs them and drives away with them. They get dropped off at a spot that seems to be several hours away from the camp. Sure they've spent the summer at the camp, but they haven't been allowed to leave the camp site themselves, they're not familiar with the surroundings, neither of them are from that place, and it's nighttime. Loads of things could have happened to them, among others they could have gotten lost or been attacked (by both animals and other people).
Nothing is cleared up with the camp leader, Melanie, after that incident. They just eventually arrive back at the camp, pack their things and leave (since it's the last day and the point where families and transport are picking them up to take them home).
The end is about Wil's angst when her parents pick her up. They continue with treating her badly and being awful parents. At least April and Wil becomes friends. But after finishing this book I'm just filled with unease. None of the problems in the book gets solved, they just become one big mess of sad feelings.
I give this books 2 stars, instead of 1, because I really enjoyed it up until 4/5 in where it was clear that nothing would get solved and only more bad things happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2013
Irene H.
Huge by Sasha Paley
Pages: 272
Realistic Teen Fiction
This book is written in 2 different point of views, Wil and April. When these two girls walk into their cabin and see how totally different they are from each other, there is instant chaos. Wil is a spoiled rotten child who likes to make her parents mad. She loves music and never sees the beauty of anything. Her parents own a big chain of fitness centers. They sent her to fat camp so that no embarrassing stories hit the media about their overweight teenage daughter. In order to get back at her parents, Wil decides to gain weight this summer. As for April, she has saved up every last dime to go to this summer camp. Her mother doesn’t want her daughter to leave her for the whole summer but April goes anyway hoping to lose some weight, get a nice figure and become popular, which has always been a dream for her. Trying to hid a secret from all the campers is also her other summer challenge.
When April starts crushing on the popular guy at camp, Colin, Wil starts to mock her. When they get into an argument, they place a bet. When that bet seems to be over, they found a common interest. What that common interest is? Just read and find out.
This book is all about finding who you really are. It’s also about dealing with others and making friends with people who were your enemies. In general, everyone can relate to this story somehow. Whether it be facing camp, a person or an obstacle, this book has it all.
It’s a very emotional rollercoaster type of book. Heartwarming friendships begin. Troubles happen. Obstacles overcome. Romance flourishing. Frowns are flipping. Stories changing. Point of views switching. The book is full of mystery. You’ll definitely be a happy camper reading this adventure.
Huge by Sasha Paley
Pages: 272
Realistic Teen Fiction
This book is written in 2 different point of views, Wil and April. When these two girls walk into their cabin and see how totally different they are from each other, there is instant chaos. Wil is a spoiled rotten child who likes to make her parents mad. She loves music and never sees the beauty of anything. Her parents own a big chain of fitness centers. They sent her to fat camp so that no embarrassing stories hit the media about their overweight teenage daughter. In order to get back at her parents, Wil decides to gain weight this summer. As for April, she has saved up every last dime to go to this summer camp. Her mother doesn’t want her daughter to leave her for the whole summer but April goes anyway hoping to lose some weight, get a nice figure and become popular, which has always been a dream for her. Trying to hid a secret from all the campers is also her other summer challenge.
When April starts crushing on the popular guy at camp, Colin, Wil starts to mock her. When they get into an argument, they place a bet. When that bet seems to be over, they found a common interest. What that common interest is? Just read and find out.
This book is all about finding who you really are. It’s also about dealing with others and making friends with people who were your enemies. In general, everyone can relate to this story somehow. Whether it be facing camp, a person or an obstacle, this book has it all.
It’s a very emotional rollercoaster type of book. Heartwarming friendships begin. Troubles happen. Obstacles overcome. Romance flourishing. Frowns are flipping. Stories changing. Point of views switching. The book is full of mystery. You’ll definitely be a happy camper reading this adventure.
February 5, 2011
April has been saving up all her money to pay to go to Wellness Canyon, which is also known as fat camp. It's the one thing she looks forward to for the coming summer, besides losing weight and going back to school skinny. Wilhelmina, whose nickname is Wil, has parents who run a fitness center and who want her to become skinny. They're ashamed of her because of her weight and are excited to see Wil at the end of the summer when she is finally thin. Wil, of course, doesn't want to go to Wellness Canyon, and plans on making other people's lives miserable. When both April and Wil get to Wellness Canyon, they're paired as roommates and immediately dislike each other. Wil is rude and obnoxious, while April is a little too giddy and constantly longs to be friends with Jessica and Marci, the two popular girls. Will April and Wil be able to get through the summer without killing each other? Will they be able to reach their goals?
This book was pretty good. I liked how it jumped between Wil and April's perspectives, but I would have liked it more if it were in first person instead of third person. I also thought the ending was a bit rushed because of how easily Wil was able to find Wellness Canyon again after Melanie and Kevin left her and April in the wilderness. I also thought it was weird how Wil would expose the secret at the dance that they both tainted Colin's protein powder with laxatives when others were listening. It was obvious that they would get caught and wasn't particularly fond of that part. Other than that, the book was really good.
This book was pretty good. I liked how it jumped between Wil and April's perspectives, but I would have liked it more if it were in first person instead of third person. I also thought the ending was a bit rushed because of how easily Wil was able to find Wellness Canyon again after Melanie and Kevin left her and April in the wilderness. I also thought it was weird how Wil would expose the secret at the dance that they both tainted Colin's protein powder with laxatives when others were listening. It was obvious that they would get caught and wasn't particularly fond of that part. Other than that, the book was really good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2011
Sending your children away to “fat camp” has always intrigued me. I mean, at a regular camp you’re never not busy; there’s always swimming lessons, bike riding, hiking, canoeing, and so many other typical camp activities. Sure, you also have your arts and crafts and other indoor things, but in my experience the counsellors were always making us be outside as much as possible. So exactly what’s the added benefit of a “fat camp”?
Well, this book helped me see the difference while still offering a peek into regular camp life.
I liked the duo-perspective between Wil and April and seeing how much their views differed on their experience while at Wellness Canyon. I also liked seeing just how far each would go to get what they wanted – only to discover what they really wanted in the process.
This is a great read for the summer (especially if you’re away at camp) but it’s also a good read in general. One thing that I wasn’t keen on, though, was that actual weights were never mentioned. I kept picturing the characters much bigger than I think they would have been. I also couldn’t help but picture the actors cast in the television show from a couple of years ago.
Overall, I’m going to give this novel a 7/10 and I recommend it to anyone who wants a fun summer camp read.
Well, this book helped me see the difference while still offering a peek into regular camp life.
I liked the duo-perspective between Wil and April and seeing how much their views differed on their experience while at Wellness Canyon. I also liked seeing just how far each would go to get what they wanted – only to discover what they really wanted in the process.
This is a great read for the summer (especially if you’re away at camp) but it’s also a good read in general. One thing that I wasn’t keen on, though, was that actual weights were never mentioned. I kept picturing the characters much bigger than I think they would have been. I also couldn’t help but picture the actors cast in the television show from a couple of years ago.
Overall, I’m going to give this novel a 7/10 and I recommend it to anyone who wants a fun summer camp read.
October 5, 2012
This book is about two girls who are sent to Wellness Canyon. Wil is sent their because her parents just want her to lose weight and be skinny. Just to spite them Wil is determined to gain weight instead of lose it. April has been saving for two years to go to this camp. She believes that this will change her life. April and Wil end up rooming together and really hate each other. April tries to fit in with some of the more popuar kids and they take advantage of her. One guy at camp, Colin pretends to like both Wil and April. They both find out about it and plan to get revenge on Colin. Near the end of the summer they have an Olympics championship. April and Wil's team cheats and their teams ends up winning. However once they are found out their medals are taken away. The true lesson that they learn this summer is that friends will last forever and it's not about what you look like.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The main characters in this book are so opposite it just shows you that anyone can be friends. I was reading this book nonstop. It was a very enjoyable book.
I would definitely recommend this book. It just shows you that happiness doesn't come from wearing a smaller size, but through making friends.
I really enjoyed reading this book. The main characters in this book are so opposite it just shows you that anyone can be friends. I was reading this book nonstop. It was a very enjoyable book.
I would definitely recommend this book. It just shows you that happiness doesn't come from wearing a smaller size, but through making friends.
March 20, 2013
Huge was an outstanding book. I enjoyed reading every page of this book. The best part is that there are so many things to discuss in this book: overweight/obese kids vs. nearly chubbies, rich kids vs. poor kids, cool kids vs. the outcast and parents' selfishness vs. kids' selfishness. I can not say enough about this book being a discussion book. One thing I adored was that every music group, magazine and pop culture items were current, such as the use of iPods, ibooks, 7-11, workout equipment and lets not forget the concert tickets to "Death Cab for Cutie". Please understand everyone should read this book, big or small, just because it is a great book. The kids I suggest should read this book are:
-Kids with parents who are into their own self image.
-Overwieght students
-Wealthy students (To realize that everything handed to them, it is not available to everyone.)
-Kids that feel like outcast of the popular kids
-Kids that trying to hard to fit into the popular crowd
-Kids going away to summer camp
-Kids who have to deal with a roommate
-Single child families
-Punk/Gothic student
-Kids with parents who are into their own self image.
-Overwieght students
-Wealthy students (To realize that everything handed to them, it is not available to everyone.)
-Kids that feel like outcast of the popular kids
-Kids that trying to hard to fit into the popular crowd
-Kids going away to summer camp
-Kids who have to deal with a roommate
-Single child families
-Punk/Gothic student
July 7, 2016
I used to love this book when I was younger but rereading it now made me realise just how shallow and ungrateful both main characters are. April is mad at her mum for sending a care package of her favourite food? Oh no, her Mum actually cared enough to send her something and its not her fault she sent her daughter what she knows best and that's food. Wil is just a spoilt, rich kid who I wish I could slap. Oh no, her parents pay for her to have multiple personal trainers and then buy her the excursion to the Wellness spa to lose weight? How awful they are! The romance was lipid and the plot mediocre. I kind of wish I hadn't re read this as now I can really see all of the flaws the story always had but as a chubby child I had overlooked.
June 10, 2010
It started out with a cute premise and some funny scenes but became very predictable and a forced happy ending. It is the story of two girls who go to an elite fat camp: a rich girl who doesn't want to be there and a poor girl who saved all her money and is desperate for acceptance. It was a quick read and had some really funny, typical teen scenes.
August 6, 2011
Boring and cliched down to the ex-lax humiliation plot at the climax of the novel, plus rife with a weird tension between fatphobia and a desire to make fat people seem likable--like, the author couldn't decide. Plus it ends with a sentence along the lines "it was sweet to be skinny, but it was sweeter still to have a new best friend" which... vomit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2011
Ive read better,Ive read worse.
This was a ABC Family original series last summer;
and I think for the first time in my experience,
the series(which was very different compared to)was better than the book itself.
This was a ABC Family original series last summer;
and I think for the first time in my experience,
the series(which was very different compared to)was better than the book itself.
August 31, 2025
As a former fat (or at least overweight) kid, I feel qualified to comment that this really isn't as bad as some other reviewers have commented. It definitely reflects the "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" zeitgeist of the 2000s, but I also feel it accurately reflects the motivations and mindsets of people--particularly young people--who want to lose weight. There's a certain subsection of the HAES movement who think wanting to lose weight for ANY reason is a bad thing, and that's just not true.
From what I know of fat camps, Wellness Canyon is... not a fat camp. More like a health resort, which its employees might even call it in the book. And for that reason, I feel like critique based on the methods and effectiveness of actual fat camps is rather moot here. I actually thought it sounded very pleasant and something I would have enjoyed ($7000 price tag aside) in middle school, though I'm sure someone will come along shortly to inform me of my internalized fatphobia.
I was mentally planning a "this was written in the '--s" checklist as I read but quickly realized the mentions of contemporary culture were far too numerous. Sure, the constant brand checking is a bit obnoxious and unnecessary, but almost 20 (!) years removed from the publication date, there's enough distance to where it's almost charming.
I do think it might have been a better book if Wil's determination to not lose weight had carried through to the end, but--speaking again as someone who's gone through this--there's also something to be said for a character realizing that maybe she was in just a skosh of denial and that what she didn't want was actually good for her. And that it's nice when you feel good about yourself.
So yeah. Not exactly groundbreaking, and certainly reminiscent of its time, but not hideous either.
From what I know of fat camps, Wellness Canyon is... not a fat camp. More like a health resort, which its employees might even call it in the book. And for that reason, I feel like critique based on the methods and effectiveness of actual fat camps is rather moot here. I actually thought it sounded very pleasant and something I would have enjoyed ($7000 price tag aside) in middle school, though I'm sure someone will come along shortly to inform me of my internalized fatphobia.
I was mentally planning a "this was written in the '--s" checklist as I read but quickly realized the mentions of contemporary culture were far too numerous. Sure, the constant brand checking is a bit obnoxious and unnecessary, but almost 20 (!) years removed from the publication date, there's enough distance to where it's almost charming.
I do think it might have been a better book if Wil's determination to not lose weight had carried through to the end, but--speaking again as someone who's gone through this--there's also something to be said for a character realizing that maybe she was in just a skosh of denial and that what she didn't want was actually good for her. And that it's nice when you feel good about yourself.
So yeah. Not exactly groundbreaking, and certainly reminiscent of its time, but not hideous either.
April 25, 2021
Looked up the author, skinny. So you know shes never been fat positive and is just banking off fat people as if they are the saddest story alive. It's like when people who dont have cancer are obsessed with books about cancer. Only being fat isn't sad. Its life. Who cares, and it ignores how unhealthy it is to over exercise and how diabetes doesn't just affect fat people. Very disappointing. I kept thinking there was gonna to be a scene where the girls realize they are worthy of love as fat girls. But the last few lines is literally "pretty skinny is best" paraphrased and "teehee, look at my equally skinny best friend. The book constantly makes fun of super fats and big fats, only really allowing mid fats and small fats to be seen as humans. Also science will prove that losing weight the way these girls did, rapidly through excessive exercise and dieting, will not last. Where's the story where they gain it all back because school and life takes up more of their time and they actually learn to love themselves. One more thing. Melainy should definitely be in jail. Coming into a dorm and rough housing some minors and then stranding them in the woods. Not great adulting, you beauty obsessed loser.
December 23, 2023
I read this book once when I was in middle school and enjoyed it. After reading it for the second time this year as an adult I didn’t love it as much. My biggest issue was I feel like there could have been a better message than someone is only pretty when they’ve lost weight and are thinner. A smaller issue I had was I feel the amount of description of how fat the kids at the fat camp and how pushy their fingers were was unnecessary. We know what fat looks like on someone and we don’t need constant reminders. My other smaller issue was the amount of brand name dropping. I could understand doing it in smaller amounts to get across the point that Wil comes from a rich family but there’s a limit. Finally, I hated how after everything April experienced at the camp she was still eager to be accepted by the popular mean girls at the school she goes to. They could have gave a great message on loving who you are and that you don’t need approval from others. Overall, if you’re in middle school you’ll probably enjoy it which I guess makes sense as it’s for teens, but it could be much better for them.
November 26, 2018
Huge is a story of identity and self-acceptance as two teenage girls, April and Will, attend Wellness Canyon. At Wellness Canyon, the goal is for all who attend to become healthy and lose weight. However, April and Will have very different views on weight and the importance of going to this camp. While April wants nothing more to lose weight so that she finally be one of the popular girls, Will is defiant as her parents forced her to come. These differences cause these two girls to clash, as they are roommates during their stay at the camp. The fact that the book focuses on the perspectives of these two characters show us not only the different experiences that were had by both girls, but also how those experiences have lead them to Wellness Canyon. Additionally, However, over the course of the time that these two girls spend at Wellness Canyon, both girls learn a lot about themselves and what is means to embrace yourself for who you are.
June 15, 2021
I am not entirely sure how I feel about this book right now, and am torn between rating it a two or three star. I will leave it at a three for now, but I may change it later upon further reflection. I must admit though that my feelings towards Huge is greatly influenced by the fact that I saw the tv show adaption first when it aired over a decade ago and loved it. Sadly, the tv show was cancelled after only one season, but that first season covers much of the book from what I remember. Reading this book however, I definitely did not enjoy the story or the characters as much and often found my mind wandering to memories of the show. So take from this what you will, but honestly, if you are interested in checking out Huge, I think you'll be better off skipping the book and watching the tv adaptation instead. The show first aired in 2010 and stars Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray) and Gina Torres (Firefly, Suits).
July 13, 2018
Wil is an overweight teenager whose parents own a health club and are very health conscious. They are embarrassed that their daughter does not fit their profile so they send her to a weight loss camp for8 weeks of the summer. Wil is determined to only gain weight by packing up candy bars and other snacks. She is matched up with April, the daughter of a middle class family and is determined to lose weight in order to be popular. They both have a crush on Colin, who turns out to be a user and neither one are interested him after he bullies them.
Part of the program requires the roommates to support each other--doesn't happen with each headed in opposite directions. I read this book that my daughter received as a freebie for joining a summer book reading program. It shows the peer pressure that teens go through with weight, looks, and clothes.
Part of the program requires the roommates to support each other--doesn't happen with each headed in opposite directions. I read this book that my daughter received as a freebie for joining a summer book reading program. It shows the peer pressure that teens go through with weight, looks, and clothes.
August 14, 2017
I needed a fluff read to accompany me on vacation, and this one fit the bill. It was cute, nothing deep or important happens, and everything works out wonderfully by the end of the story. I enjoyed it, for the most part. But there were quite a few plot points and character developments that don't hold up to close scrutiny. And I feel like with the characters being at "fat camp," too much importance is placed on appearance and being skinny, even though I'm sure the author didn't mean for that to be the case.
October 4, 2017
You need to be accountable for how you treat your body and for how it feels.
Wil nearly groaned at April’s pathetic eagerness. She could just imagine April’s pitiable attempts at school, sucking up to teachers and students. It would almost be funny if she weren’t so earnest. The latter quote describes the author and this book. Fat people are fat because they only eat massive amount of {insert shameless brand naming} {cue tiny violin because dramatic diabetes reveal}. I thought parts of it were funny but there was a lot of cringe.
Wil nearly groaned at April’s pathetic eagerness. She could just imagine April’s pitiable attempts at school, sucking up to teachers and students. It would almost be funny if she weren’t so earnest. The latter quote describes the author and this book. Fat people are fat because they only eat massive amount of {insert shameless brand naming} {cue tiny violin because dramatic diabetes reveal}. I thought parts of it were funny but there was a lot of cringe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2017
I didn't like this book. The message is basically that if you're fat you're not pretty. I don't think that this book should have been written as a young adult book because this could change a child's body image in a negative way. People are more than a number on a scale. Also, this book says that if you are not rich, if you can't afford the name brands, that you are also worthless.
I would not recommend this book to a friend.
I would not recommend this book to a friend.
October 23, 2021
The book REALLY wants to make you believe that they all are these grotesque giant monster people. The book is just god awful, the author has to be playing the most stereotypical things and they drug someone in this book which is a serious serious thing and definitely not something to be taken lightly. It was the standard enemies to friends trope and it was just overall a very boring long read that you just want to stop so badly but you want to push through to finish it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2022
I'm pleasantly surprised to find that I actually really enjoyed this book. I wasn't expecting much since it seems more like a Young Adult novel, but as an adult I thought it was well written and highly entertaining. I also liked the message, thought the characters were interesting, and enjoyed a great laugh at character Colin's expense. Well worth a read if you just want something charming and fun.
January 12, 2026
More like 3.5. I read this in one day where I had nothing else to do. I liked both of the girls, they were realistic and likable. I think the subject matter was handled well, presented in a way that teens could relate to. The ending was a tad corny, but I was pleased with it. Interested to see how true-to-character the tv show will be.
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