Language: PG (1 swear 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (bullying language).
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
When Will Chambers was in 4th grade, Nick Fisher, an angry bully called him Fat. He spat the work at him, and while, yes, Nick was a big kid, up to that point he'd never considered his size a problem. But now, Will is in middle school. He hates himself, he hates what he looks like, he wears baggy clothes, hides during lunch, and consoles himself with food at home. But Markus, a new boy at school who skateboards behind the auditorium treats Will like a possible friend, and Will is determined to lose weight. But are his measures too drastic?
Oh my! A body image book about a boy - I loved it! Written in the style of a doodle book, Will's story is told like a journal with plenty of drawings. Wimpy Kid readers will relate. It's not heavy-handed, but honest and poignant, yet hopeful. Will is a big bully to himself, with all his negative thought and drawing himself as a monster. Written in verse, the text flows beautifully - I can hear Will's internal struggle. "A Work in Progress" would pair well with Fipps "Starfish". Will's parents do step in with help when they discover what is going on. A great mental health read. Certainly buying for my library, but probably not for everyone. Will is white.
Lisa Librarian
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