Taking Up Space
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4.6 • 5 Ratings
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- $5.99
Publisher Description
From beloved author Alyson Gerber comes another realistic contemporary novel perfect for fans of Judy Blume.
Sarah loves basketball more than anything. Crushing it on the court makes her feel like she matters. And it's the only thing that helps her ignore how much it hurts when her mom forgets to feed her.
But lately Sarah can't even play basketball right. She's slower now and missing shots she should be able to make. Her body doesn't feel like it's her own anymore. She's worried that changing herself back to how she used to be is the only way she can take control over what's happening.
When Sarah's crush asks her to be partners in a cooking competition, she feels pulled in a million directions. She'll have to dig deep to stand up for what she needs at home, be honest with her best friends, and accept that she doesn't need to change to feel good about herself.
Booklist described Gerber's novels in starred reviews as both "highly empathetic" and "truly inspiring." Taking Up Space promises to be a realistic and compelling story about struggling with body image and learning that true self-esteem comes from within.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Seventh grader Sarah Weber loves playing basketball with her two BFFs, Ryan and Emilia. But her body is changing, making the former star player feel slow on the court and causing her worry about being cut from the team. Since Sarah's mother, who has a complicated relationship with health, sometimes skips meals, the girl decides to follow suit, taking her coach's advice to cut junk food and bread. Though constantly hungry as a result, Sarah starts playing better and liking the way her clothes fit. When the boy both she and Emilia like asks her to be his cooking partner for a school contest, Sarah keeps their meetups a secret for fear of losing Emilia's friendship. Soon, tensions have escalated with her friends and mother, her eating habits—or lack of them—are drawing unwanted attention, and Sarah no longer knows what or how to eat. Gerber (Focused) portrays Sarah's bodily discomfort and eating disorder with realism and compassion, highlighting both her desire to be healthy and her denial when things move beyond her control. Though the hopeful ending comes a bit abruptly, this affirming novel offers a normalizing message about discussing body image and mental health. Ages 8–12.
Customer Reviews
Incredible!
Wonderful story that I will have my daughter reading as soon as she’s able!
So gooooooodddddd
2 best book ever after braced