Barthe DeClements

Wow, this book is really horrible! Waaaaaaay before the days of political correctness, Jenny and her friends flat out fat shame poor Elsie to the max. I'm not all that into accepting unhealthy weight gain as fine---I think we need to do what we can to live as healthily as possible---but this story is downright heartbreaking; and the worst thing is that the author brings very little moral element out of the story. Elsie is treated horribly by kids and adults, alike; but the more weight she loses, the nicer she is treated. By the end of the story, Elsie can see her feet and all is well. I can't help but wonder how many cases of bullying and eating disorders this author was responsible for.

I remember when the phrase "politically incorrect" became popular. I was in ninth grade. I remember thinking it was stupid and anti-American to ever censor anyone's words, and I still believe that to an extent, but this book really is over the top.

On a positive note, when I read this in grade school, I would imagine all the scenes as if they took place at my own school. Reading back through this last night, I can still see it all in my mind! Those were some happy days.

And...Elsie's feet still look really sunburnt on this cover. I never understood that one.… (més)

i was thinking about this novel today. i read and reread it only because it was around. like judy blume, declements writes a world i've always found grim. if i say their writing is cruel, please understand: that makes this type of social realism sound more interesting than it is.

this novel and blume's are entertaining enough for a reading kid, but they sell the idea that growing up (even just year to year) is being absorbed into a crowd that is simultaneously homogenous (everyone likes the same things) and chaotic (everyone dislikes the same things but with unpredictable degrees of fervor; being weird might make somebody tell a mean joke about you or sock you in the nose.) it all seemed a dreadful portent of a life spent crossing one's fingers that the teacher won't give homework on friday so you can spend saturday figuring out what everyone else wants to do so that you can want to do that, too.… (més)

This book still resonates with me, about a decade later. It brought to light eating disorders, and how girls perceive their weight even as young as ten years old. I struggle(d) with my weight from a young age and reading about someone else dealing with these issues was eye opening. I remember the very last page the overweight friend is walking with her friends and stops walking and says, "I can see my feet when I look down" and that struck me to the core.

A very important book and I'd like to re-read it to see if it still holds up.… (més)