To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin - OPTIONAL

To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin, 289 pages. Swoon Reads (Macmillan), 2018. $17.

Language: R (37 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Savannah is a smart, snarky, school newspaper reporter who just happens to be plus sized. Her sister Ashley has left for college and now she is alone with her weight-obsessed mother. After her parent’s divorced, her mother was on an extreme weight loss TV show and they want to film a follow up at their house. Savvy reluctantly agrees to be filmed with her mother, but the edited and aired TV clip isn’t flattering to Savvy. Meanwhile, a cute, younger guy named George needs help with math and Savvy becomes his tutor. Sparks fly, but will Savvy’s own insecurities keep her from the perfect guy? Or will her mom’s unhealthy obsession with weight continue to spiral out of control?

Savannah doesn’t allow herself to be defined by her size. She is both confident AND insecure, which I thought perfectly portrayed teen girls. The author goes beyond stereotypes to show the main character’s complicated relationship with her parent’s post-divorce. Strong female relationships abound in the book, from supportive friends to a caring sister. The romantic interest, George, illustrates that teen boys have insecurities too. To be honest, I loved this book and think teens of all sizes will too.

Samantha, MA, MLS