Jo Watson (2)

Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read an arc version of this book!

Big Boned focuses on Lori Patty Palmer, an artistic 17-year-old who has recently moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town. She misses city life and recognizes that her family is moving to provide a more supportive environment for her 9-year-old brother, Zac (who is on the autism spectrum), and to help her Mom expand her business. As the title suggests, Lori is on the heavier side. Some of the language at the start of the book could be triggering to folks navigating body image (ex. "my pale, flabby thighs that touch, my stomach that oozed..those flappy bits of fat on your arms that jiggle when you wave at people"). However, Lori does grow throughout the book!

There are a lot of humorous moments throughout this book (ex. "...he was stupidly good looking. The kind of good looking that should not be allowed to exist in nature. It was almost unnatural. As if he was the product of some secret CRISPR experiment), and it is ultimately a feel-good, body-positive, therapy-positive book. Some of the writing feels disjointed, and as though one more round of editing could make it feel smoother, but the actual plot and characters -- love it. I would gratefully add a copy to my classroom library.… (meer)

When invisible demons combine with visible ones, overcoming the combination can be overwhelming. This is Lori's lot when you meet her. She's fat (her description), has just had to transfer from the school where she had a comfort zone and two real friends, and has parents who seem to have abandoned her following their divorce.
She suffers from a toxic inner voice and panic attacks, not to mention her new school has no art program. She's reduced to being primary caretaker for her younger brother Zak who's on the autism spectrum when not being bullied by girls at school.
Then circumstances have her crossing paths with Jake, the hottest guy at her new school, and she's unsure if she's seeing and experiencing what seems to be happening. Following their intriguing getting to know each other dance makes for a great read, complete with her discovering a whole new outlet for her artistic expression and a very cool new therapist who understands her extremely well. This is an extremely positive and fun story to read with a cast of characters who are all realistic.… (meer)

What happens when we adopt the one-size-fits-all mentality that has been expected of society for far too long? Jo Watson has taken this question and answered it in a very cute way with Big Boned.

Lori has always felt different. She never looked like the popular girls and growing up , she learned early that kids can be cruel, driving her to an Art school where she thrived until her mom decides to uproot her and her brother and move outside the city forcing Lori to enter a new school, one where everyone and everything seems perfect, Well, everything except Lori herself that is.

With sharp wit and beautifully crafted prose, Big Boned addresses many difficult themes, shattering stereotypes with her multidimensional characters and expertly crafted, highly relatable metaphors woven throughout the story this is an adorable rom-com perfect for teens.

It did take me a bit to get in to the story but once I did I was hooked. This is the type of YA novel I wish I had had available to me when I was a pre-teen, and one that I will be sure to put on my daughters shelf as soon as possible. I highly recommend this for anyone above the age of 12 or so.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience the magic this gem has to offer us and our children!

Thank you to netgalley, Wattpad Publishing, and Jo Watson for providing an advanced e-copy for me to read and share my honest opinion.… (meer)