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.
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.