Just Wreck It All

August 1, 2018
High school junior Bett was an athlete and a daredevil.That was until two years ago, when a dare gone devastatingly wrong destroyed the life of someone she loved. Guilt-ridden and heartbroken, Bett engages in self-punishment by denying herself anything she considers a treat, including the purest pleasure of all: movement. Merely thinking about running and how good it made her feel is something she'll have to counteract with a junk-food binge. Now heavier than she's ever been before, Bett attempts to mortify herself daily with short-shorts as part of her punishment. When odd circumstances (notably, not an attempt to lose weight) force her to start running again, Bett finds herself stuck in a Catch-22 and can no longer deny her true self. Bett is unique among fat characters in fiction: She can scale walls and outrun the thin kids on the cross-country team. The third-person narration is limited to Bett's perspective, and run-on sentences when she's anxious place readers in the midst of her out-of-control thoughts. Throughout, the fatness-as-punishment message simmers just under the surface; however, the resolution somewhat negates that message. Whiteness is assumed for most characters.A much-needed story about a fat girl that does not equate weight loss with salvation. (Fiction. 12-17)

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September 1, 2018

Gr 7 Up-Bett used to be known for being a daredevil. There wasn't a challenge she would back down from. She and her best friend, Stephanie, became experts at dreaming up the next physical obstacle for her to conquer. Suddenly, Bett's entire world is upended. A terrible accident is the catalyst to a dramatic change. She has lost hearing in her left ear and her self-confidence. She becomes withdrawn and stops engaging in the physical activities she once loved so passionately. Her father has left her family for another woman. To make matters worse, her high school is being terrorized by a vandal, leaving everyone scared and on edge. Bett's struggles with reclaiming her identity after personal upheaval are messy, heartrending, and leave readers unable to turn away. Her disconnect between how she thinks others feel about her and the reality is something any teen will relate to. She struggles with the relationship she has with herself as well as with those around her, most notably with her father. Ultimately, Bett realizes healing any relationship has to start with herself. The beginning of the book flips between past and present, keeping the pace moving with bread crumbs leading to the accident. VERDICT A heartfelt journey through the importance of self-love and forgiveness, perfect for fans of Sara Zarr and Gayle Forman.-Carrie Finberg, South Park High School, PA

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