Fat Cat by Robin Brande

Pages: 327

Intended Audience: Tweens and Teens

Genre: Real Life / Social Issues

Notes for parents: None.

The Back Cover

Cat before: Smart, funny, fat.

Cat after: Smart, funny, hot.

What’s her secret? A no-holds-barred science experiment…with Cat as the guinea pig. Can her combination of brains and bravery help Cat avenge herself against the guy who broke her heart—and maybe even turn him into an experiment of her own?

What the Back Cover doesn’t tell you:

Cat is in Mr. Fizer’s legendary AP Science class where entering the science fair is compulsory and your topic is based on a picture you pull from The Stack. In an attempt to win the science fair and beat her nemesis, former best friend Matt, Cat decides on an ambitious experiment that will require her to completely change her lifestyle.

What’s good?

It’s funny, it’s charming, and it exemplifies some great life lessons. The benefits of a healthy lifestyle are realized gradually, but never overpower the main message that we should like people just the way they are, and love ourselves just the way we are. There are other great messages about sibling relationships, friendship, abstinence, love, determination, and so much more. The story is never preachy, the characters are engaging and realistic, and the plot cleverly twists and turns as Cat battles cravings, makes revelations, and navigates her journey toward a healthier well-being.

Best part: Amanda and her great one-liners.

What’s not so good?

Embedded into all of these great messages was an annoying insistence that hair, makeup, and clothing are a necessary part of physical beauty. I guess the author was trying to say that looking good makes you feel good, but I’m not sure if the message was clear.

Worst part: The cover made me crave potato chips every time I picked up the book.

Recommendations þþþþþ
This book spoke loudly to me personally. This is a charismatic, well-written, witty story that I highly recommend.

Brande, Robin. Fat Cat. New York: Ember, 2009.