I never read books much as a kid, and only recently am I trying to expand my reading repertoire. I heard this was good, so I decided to read it. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint. It's a nice little Slice of Life novel about a bunch of kids getting to know a heavyset classmate and eventually befriending her. The situations were very true to life, and the kids acted and talked like kids, with no Totally Radical speech or awkward dialogue that most people think kids say. I guess it helps that the authoress was once a teacher and school psychologist, and it's clear she knew what she was doing. The pacing is good, as there's always something happening in every chapter, characterization is well done, and nothing is overblown or dumbed down.
If anything, I think this is basically Blubber but without the bleak story and unrelentingly mean-spirited characters. I'd recommend this over Blubber, as not only is it much happier and more realistic, the characters are much more likeable and actually develop. It helps that Elsie, who does get bullied in the beginning, isn't exactly a saint herself, but again, she's a kid who sometimes does stupid things and has to face the consequences, and does develop nicely as a character. I do feel like the book could have been longer, as it's only about 120 pages, but it's a nice, short read if you don't want to commit to anything too huge.
Will say this though: I love Diane's mom. She's awesome for being more caring towards Elsie than her real mother is.
Books like this might not be for everyone, but sometimes a short, cute, Slice of Life story about kids being kids and having their own adventures and hardships is what we need to get through life. It's nice to take a trip back down memory lane and return to our childhood, back when we chatted with our pals and worried about lunch money. Highly recommend it.
Cute and Fun, a Nice Little Romp
I never read books much as a kid, and only recently am I trying to expand my reading repertoire. I heard this was good, so I decided to read it. Thankfully, it didn't disappoint. It's a nice little Slice of Life novel about a bunch of kids getting to know a heavyset classmate and eventually befriending her. The situations were very true to life, and the kids acted and talked like kids, with no Totally Radical speech or awkward dialogue that most people think kids say. I guess it helps that the authoress was once a teacher and school psychologist, and it's clear she knew what she was doing. The pacing is good, as there's always something happening in every chapter, characterization is well done, and nothing is overblown or dumbed down.
If anything, I think this is basically Blubber but without the bleak story and unrelentingly mean-spirited characters. I'd recommend this over Blubber, as not only is it much happier and more realistic, the characters are much more likeable and actually develop. It helps that Elsie, who does get bullied in the beginning, isn't exactly a saint herself, but again, she's a kid who sometimes does stupid things and has to face the consequences, and does develop nicely as a character. I do feel like the book could have been longer, as it's only about 120 pages, but it's a nice, short read if you don't want to commit to anything too huge.
Will say this though: I love Diane's mom. She's awesome for being more caring towards Elsie than her real mother is.
Books like this might not be for everyone, but sometimes a short, cute, Slice of Life story about kids being kids and having their own adventures and hardships is what we need to get through life. It's nice to take a trip back down memory lane and return to our childhood, back when we chatted with our pals and worried about lunch money. Highly recommend it.