I’d love to hear recs for nonfiction books for middle grades. Starting to pre-read options before I give them to my 8yo and finding disappointing fatphobic language.
I really can't disagree more with your recommendation of Fat Girl on a Plane. I have been looking for fat rep my whole life (I'm 42 now) and there are so many better examples for YA audiences. I don't think we should hold up dieting protags as good fat rep, tbh. Those stories can be out there, but I would never recommend any story like that to a teen reader. The harm it could do! (No matter the "moral" of the story.) (Also, I'm a librarian, so this is something I actually do have to think about on a real-world level; would I give this book to a Mom who is looking for something for her teen girl? Would I hand this directly to a teen girl? And the answer is no and no.)
I so hear this! And debated including. I have a lot of respect for DeVos' work as a fat, feminist writer and I don't think the book celebrates dieting — it's part of Cookie's struggle, just as it's part of lots of folks' struggles. So I could see it fostering some great conversations for kids, especially if they are already exposed to the anti-diet perspective. But can definitely understand your professional reservations around it. Would love to know other titles you do love that I missed!
Well, I actually like Puddin' and Pumpkin more than I like Dumplin', so I hope you'll read those! Becky Albertalli's The Upside of Unrequited is WONDERFUL; in my GR review I mention that Molly is a fat character whose story is so much more than being fat and figuring out fatness. It made me feel seen in a way that YA never did when I was a teen. OH! The Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding. In my review of Fat Girl on a Plane, I actually point readers to the former, as a book that really lets a fat girl be INTO fashion, and INTO food. I really loved it.
There are also a few books that are good, but have some problematic areas that I probably would only recommend with hesitations and maybe some warnings. There's Something about Sweetie by Sandhya Menon is enjoyable-ish. The love story is cute but Sweetie is like, the personification of the "Good Fattie" and it's hard to take. Also, To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin was lovable, but the diet content from the mom in the book is WAY too heavy-handed, and I think that warrants a cautionary label.
This makes me want some adult recommendations! I have a couple of romance novels I've read this year that I could totally toss out there...but might be a fund featured thread?
Oooh maybe that will be our Friday discussion thread this week. (I am absolutely planning a future post on adult books, and maybe a stand-alone for romance though, so stay tuned!)
I’d love to hear recs for nonfiction books for middle grades. Starting to pre-read options before I give them to my 8yo and finding disappointing fatphobic language.
https://www.sonyareneetaylor.com/books/celebrate-your-body-and-its-changes-too-the-ultimate-puberty-book-for-girls. This is a very inclusive and body positive book about puberty
I'm not crazy about the nutrition section but Sonya Renee Taylor is so brilliant and good.
Ooh good one. Any particular kind of nonfiction (like specifically about bodies/puberty/etc)?
Changing bodies, sexuality, that kind of thing
Yes! On my list, stay tuned...
I really can't disagree more with your recommendation of Fat Girl on a Plane. I have been looking for fat rep my whole life (I'm 42 now) and there are so many better examples for YA audiences. I don't think we should hold up dieting protags as good fat rep, tbh. Those stories can be out there, but I would never recommend any story like that to a teen reader. The harm it could do! (No matter the "moral" of the story.) (Also, I'm a librarian, so this is something I actually do have to think about on a real-world level; would I give this book to a Mom who is looking for something for her teen girl? Would I hand this directly to a teen girl? And the answer is no and no.)
I so hear this! And debated including. I have a lot of respect for DeVos' work as a fat, feminist writer and I don't think the book celebrates dieting — it's part of Cookie's struggle, just as it's part of lots of folks' struggles. So I could see it fostering some great conversations for kids, especially if they are already exposed to the anti-diet perspective. But can definitely understand your professional reservations around it. Would love to know other titles you do love that I missed!
Well, I actually like Puddin' and Pumpkin more than I like Dumplin', so I hope you'll read those! Becky Albertalli's The Upside of Unrequited is WONDERFUL; in my GR review I mention that Molly is a fat character whose story is so much more than being fat and figuring out fatness. It made me feel seen in a way that YA never did when I was a teen. OH! The Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding. In my review of Fat Girl on a Plane, I actually point readers to the former, as a book that really lets a fat girl be INTO fashion, and INTO food. I really loved it.
There are also a few books that are good, but have some problematic areas that I probably would only recommend with hesitations and maybe some warnings. There's Something about Sweetie by Sandhya Menon is enjoyable-ish. The love story is cute but Sweetie is like, the personification of the "Good Fattie" and it's hard to take. Also, To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin was lovable, but the diet content from the mom in the book is WAY too heavy-handed, and I think that warrants a cautionary label.
This is sooo helpful, thank you! I'm adding all of these to my TBR pile...
This makes me want some adult recommendations! I have a couple of romance novels I've read this year that I could totally toss out there...but might be a fund featured thread?
Oooh maybe that will be our Friday discussion thread this week. (I am absolutely planning a future post on adult books, and maybe a stand-alone for romance though, so stay tuned!)
Yay! And yes, that was supposed to say “fun Friday thread”…I should be reading/responding while I’m working. 🙃