The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza - OPTIONAL

The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza, 320 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan Children's), 2024. $18

Language: R (214 swears, 72 f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (underage drinking, mention of self-pleasure, mention of drug use); Violence: PG (fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SOME

16yo Brett lives in Tucson with his best friend, Reed, since his adoptive mother became terminally ill. He’s trying to hide the fact that he has an eating disorder and that he has begun to purge after eating. Despite Brett’s best efforts, Reed figures out what he’s doing and tries to intervene. Somehow Brett’s secret gets posted on social media and he’s horribly embarrassed. Many classmates approach him to let him know they’re dealing with issues too and he might be able to handle it better knowing he’s not alone.

Intelligent and inspiring quotes given from side characters. The adults in Brett’s life gave him great advice/therapy. Too much swearing detracts from the story. The book is overly focused on being progressive and “woke” and it became tiresome because it also takes away from the story. Wonderfully helpful resources at the end of the book for people dealing with food and/or body issues.

Brett is Mexican American. Most of the characters are white but some have brown skin.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah