When we think of victims of fat shaming we usually visualize teenage girls. We rarely think of younger boys. That's why Jarrett Lerner's A Work In Progress is such an important contribution to juvenile literature.
"Fat people
are never heroes.
If they get
to be anything
at all
fat people
are the stupid sidekicks."
Ever since he was first taunted about his size in fourth grade Will has internalized a fat identity. He's destroyed all his clothes except the baggiest garments. He tries to make himself as invisible as possible—feeling a sense of shame, of guilt, of not fitting in
Three years later Will is in a school full of skinny peers and thin teachers. His clueless parents encourage him to put himself out there. They suggest things like starting a club. Will is sure following their advice would be merely a waste of time. He's sure that the other kids, including the girl he has a crush on, can't see beyond the fat.
But what if he can slim down? Eating less is hard at first. But as it becomes easier Will takes food limitations to dangerous extremes.
The best thing about the book is that it's very visceral. The combination of well chosen words and black and white drawings gives the reader a real sense of what will is thinking and feeling.
On a purrrsonal note, in Mind Spa we got to paint on old 45 records. I came up with some flower designs I was really proud of. People were telling me beautiful and calling me an artist. And to think that less than 7 months ago I couldn't hold a pencil with my right hand!
Agreat big shout out goes out to the amazing Mind Spa crew.
Jules Hathaway
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