Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some non-physical bullying)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
6th grader Ben has a terrible relationship with food - in fact there are only ten foods that he can bring himself to eat. He has been diagnosed with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), but his parents don’t really understand and now that he is in middle school. One of the kids has picked Ben as his bullying target - specifically because of his eating choices (or non-choices). When the whole grade goes on a weekend trip to a immersive retro farm experience, Ben has no idea how to keep his food issues under wraps. Do his best friends have his back or are they ready to side with the bully?
Like Ben, I am mystified why Darren is so obsessed with what Ben does or does not eat. That issue isn’t addressed at all. Watching Ben struggles was painful - but I am glad it was a boy for once, not a girl addressing these issues - from what I see in middle grade lit, kids might think that girls have to deal with mean kids, eating issues, and self-esteem.
Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS
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