The Other F Word

September 1, 2019

Gr 9 Up-Prominent YA writers, such as Renée Watson and Alex Gino, and several other influential individuals share their experience growing up fat and their work to reclaim the meaning of that word. Essays vary in their intensity and structure, including tips for teens, upbeat advice columns, eye-catching comic strips, poetry, and harrowing testimonials showcasing the ramifications of fat shaming. At the end of this book, fashion resources are provided for teens looking to augment their clothing options. VERDICT This powerful anthology creates an important discourse celebrating body diversity, leaving readers feeling inspired to seek their own form of self-acceptance. Recommended purchase for all libraries, especially for those seeking engaging essays promoting body positivity for teens.-Stephanie Rivera, Naperville Public Library, IL

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2019
Body positivity and fat acceptance take center stage with this anthology of prose, poems, lists, and art. Featuring authors, artists, models, entrepreneurs, and influencers, the 30 contributors to this collection represent a dazzling multiplicity of voices from different gender identities, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. The work ranges from serious to lighthearted, from academic cultural analysis to intimate personal essays and letters to the authors' teen selves. Many pieces focus on the struggles, self-loathing, and shame of living in a fat body--at odds with the joyful, bright, cartoon illustrations of round bodies dancing throughout the book--but eventually they get around to sharing that it's OK to be fat, and fat people deserve love, respect, and happiness. The strongest chapters present a fresh take on loving yourself: the hilarious honesty in Lily Anderson's (The Undead Girl Gang, 2018, etc.) "How to Be the Star of Your Own Fat Rom-Com," the evocative language of Miguel M. Morales' "Does this poem make me look fat?" and the inspiring advice in Saucyé West's "Your Journey to Being #fatandfree." While a list of plus-size fashion resources in the backmatter feels like an unfinished afterthought, nevertheless fat adults will wish they'd had this book growing up, and fat teens will finally feel seen. Frank and fabulous. (fat fashion resources) (Anthology. 12-adult)

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Starred review from September 16, 2019
This outstanding anthology of essays, illustrations, poems, and letters assembled and edited by librarian and writer Manfredi is a celebration of every body and presents a revolutionary message about fat acceptance and self-love. Bringing together 31 intersectional and diverse voices, the volume includes selections by gay, Latino, big and tall model Ady Del Valle; nonbinary Chinese-American writer S. Qiouyi Lu; and African-American plus-size model, blogger, and activist Saucyé West. Following Manfredi’s thoughtful, empowering note, Alex Gino’s opening essay, “Body Sovereignty: This Fat Trans Flesh Is Mine,” sets the tone for the volume with the powerful, straightforward message that individuals have the right to determine what is best for their own bodies and selves, regardless of size or societal assumptions about health or worth. Manfredi skillfully balances the contributions, interspersing research-based essays with poems and illustrations about self-care and self-acceptance, and pulls off the nuanced feat of representing an array of insights and topics relating to fat experiences. This empowering, stereotype-busting volume concludes with a section highlighting “Fat Fashion Resources” compiled by contributors. Ages 13–up.

September 1, 2019
Grades 8-12 Thirty authors, artists, and activists contribute to this anthology about reclaiming the word fat in essays, artwork, and poetry. The emphasis is on body positivity and body sovereignty, centering on personal experiences of overcoming nasty treatment to feel confidence and improve self-esteem. Some authors talk about media stereotypes of fat people, which suggest they don't become valued until they lose weight. Lily Anderson addresses this in How to Be the Star of Your Own Fat Rom-Com, while horror-movie aficionado Hillary Monahan bemoans the depiction of fat characters in Fatness & Horror: The Match Made in Not Heaven. Shelby Bergen's illustration Fat Prom is a joyful celebration of beautiful bodies; Miguel M. Morales offers 50 Tips from a Fat and Fabulous Elder; and Amy Spalding explains how Tracy Turnblad became her role model in Baltimore . . . and Me. With a collective message that your body is yours and no one can say anything about it without your permission, the smart, funny, sometimes heartbreaking contributions will give much-needed support to those who feel beleaguered by our pervasively fat-phobic culture.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)