Book: All of Me (2019)
Author: Chris Baron
Genre: MG, Contemporary
Rating: 4 stars
Basic plot: Ari has to deal with bullies who make fun of his weight. He can’t help being hungry all the time, can he? But, when he reaches a point of self-harm, his mother finally steps in. He’s going on a diet! It’s hard, but Ari perseveres. But he still has struggles with his dad leaving, his friend Lisa not answering his calls, and his mother not really understanding him. On top of it all, he’s working toward his bar mitzvah. Little by little, Ari grows to accept who he is, while at the same time accepting that he can’t change everything.
WHAT’S COOL…
1) I was really rooting for Ari in this book. I thought his struggles with his weight were realistic. I like that we get to see the process of a transformation. Not that he becomes the skinny kid, but he becomes the person he wants to be.
2) I’m so glad Ari has friends in the story. He still has to deal with the teasing and such, but it’s not like he’s completely alone. But, I’m also glad that those friendships aren’t depicted as perfect. Like the friendship with Lisa. And even the part where Pick abandons him on the bike path to hide.
3) The calls with Gretchen were cute! I was expecting a little surprise there that didn’t quite happen, but I still enjoyed this part of the story.
4) One of my favourite parts is when the diet book “drowns”. Very clever way to deal with that part of the story.
5) I loved the Rabbi! Yes, he was a great addition to the cast of adults. I loved how he just talked to Ari, encouraged and helped him.
6) The book was written in blank verse. I thought it worked pretty well in this book.
7) Loved the ending when Ari goes back to school and sees his old bullies for the first time since school got out for the summer.
WHAT’S NOT COOL…
1) While I liked the camping part, I had a hard time believing the parents would let their kids go on that trip alone. Overnight. By themselves.
FINAL THOUGHTS
My rating is 4 Stars (out of 5) – I would highly recommend this book. Not all people share Ari’s problem, but everybody has something about them that they don’t like. In this book, Ari does some serious soul-searching. And I really like that it ends on a very positive note!
YOUR TURN…
Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Note: I’m posting this for Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday…
I really liked this book, too. There aren’t very many good books dealing with kids who are overweight, especially boys, and I thought his struggle was realistic and poignant.
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Completely agree. And come to think of it, I can’t think of another book right now that features a boy in this way. Hmmm.
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I’m working with a young boy right now who is worried about being overweight. I’m going to read the book and then pass it along to him. Thanks for reminding me its out there. Great topic for an MG book.
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Absolutely a great topic. I wish all middle-schoolers would read this, even if just to understand each other.
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Oh, I want to read this! It sounds like a book that is needed.
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Yes, it IS a book that is very much needed.
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I don’t see many stories about kids with weight problems, so I’m happy to know this story exists. I will definiately check it out! Enjoyed your review as it makes me want to read the book.
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Agree that we don’t see too many like this book. I hope you like it!
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I remember wanting to read this when it first came out, but I never got around to it. Thanks for the reminder and the good review. I’m going to move it up on my TBR list.
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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I am intrigued by this description and review. This book is new to me- but I will keep an eye out for it. Sounds like an important book to read. 🙂
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Agree that the topic is very important. I hope you get a chance to read it!
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What a great premise for a middle-grade novel! I agree with you about everyone having something about themselves which they don’t like. Thanks for sharing this important subject matter with us for MMGM!
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Thanks for commenting!
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The kids were almost in high school, weren’t they? So the camping didn’t see all that far fetched. And the parenting wasn’t the best, at any rate. I love that you don’t just praise the book but look at it critically. That means you really paid attention!
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I think (if I remember correctly) that the camping trip takes place during the summer between 7th and 8th grade. I could see that happening when I was their age (and we didn’t have cell phones!), but not so much in today’s world. Then again, like you said… the parenting wasn’t the best!
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Sounds like a good book on a topic that hasn’t been written about much in middle grade fiction. I will have to check it out.
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Yes, you don’t often see books like this one. I hope you get a chance to read it!
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