Skinny

Skinny by Donna Cooner Realistic Fiction 2012 SLJ gr 7-10, Booklist gr 7-10 Recommended by Barrington Middle School

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Comments:

Hoo-boy..........felt like I was reading an 1980's problem novel. While purportedly written by someone who had experienced bariatric surgery, I was surprised to see no references to any counseling and/or demonstration of required weight loss. The ending was too neat - everyone had a "happy moment"....completely unrealistic. I found the main character intensely tedious as she had her endless discussions with "Skinny" - her epiphany was too self-directed and quick to be believable. PASS on this one, please. Dee/CMS

I was listening to the audio version and felt it just took FOREVER to get to the point of anything - in terms of structure (the set up/introduction to the problem/what is she going to do to get what she wants) I see Ever has a problem but I couldn't believe that she was the only heavy person in her town and a community of only thin and beautiful people will ring untrue for our readers. And she was also pretty mean, so I really struggled to have empathy for her. In terms of the bariatric process, I was wondering why Ever's docs weren't requiring her to lose some weight beforehand, instruct her in nutrition, bring in a counselor, etc., - it just seemed to march through a too-easy and convenient set up for such a serious surgery on a young person and just didn't ring true. I'd pass (pass out from boredom??), too! Yvette/Merrimack