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Skinny | October 10, 2012

by Donna Cooner (Scholastic Inc., Oct. 2012)

Donna Cooner drew on her personal experience as a gastric bypass patient to write Skinny, the inspirational debut novel featuring an overweight fifteen-year-old, Ever Davies. Ever has been gaining weight since her mother died. At three hundred and two pounds, she feels hopeless, which is made worse by Skinny—the voice in her head that constantly, cruelly reminds Ever of her size.

Then Ever undergoes gastric bypass surgery, and life begins to turn around. As she loses weight, she gains confidence and even considers trying out for the school musical. But Ever’s body is changing so quickly that her self-perception can’t keep up; Skinny still won’t leave her alone, and shedding that inner voice proves more difficult than shedding the pounds.

There’s an abundance of teen literature dealing with weight issues and eating disorders but few about weight loss surgery, which is becoming a reality for more and more young adults. Skinny will speak specifically to teen girls struggling with obesity, but also has universal appeal—anyone who has ever been discouraged by an inner voice that says “you can’t” will empathize with and be inspired by Ever Davies.

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