Overview

Tristan can't easily deflect the world's commentary on his weight, but his quick wit keeps him from being engulfed by self-consciousness. Unfortunately, by tenth grade, he finds making his way in the world as a heavy kid more complicated by the arrival of Kelly, the beautiful, popular, and nutrition-obsessed daughter of his mom's new partner. When Kelly takes up with Tristan's exploitive friend, Marco, Tristan's journey becomes an unpredictable ride on a pair of cross-country skis.

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Reviews

In his disarming debut, Marino explores not only bullying and body issues but also blended families and the lengths to which they'll go to make their mergers successful. Tristan's rocky journey of self-acceptance will appeal to fans of K. L. Going's Fat Kid Rules the World (2003), Carolyn Mackler's The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things (2003), and, of course, Robert Lipsyte's classic One Fat Summer (1982). -Booklist Marino is to be commended for avoiding the usual pitfalls of this topic (fat character must lose weight to gain self-esteem); in fact, Tristan's droll attitude is one of the highlights of his character. -Kirkus Funny but heart-wrenching story...A priority purchase for all libraries serving teens. -School Library Journal Readers will easily feel the boy's anger and will applaud his resilience and resolve to remain true to himself. The story's supporting players--especially Tristan's parents--help to make this a winning debut, at once humorous and heartrending. -Publisher's Weekly

Author Information

Piet Marino is English professor emeritus at SUNY Adirondack and now an adjunct professor at the University of Florida. His novels for young adults, Dough Boy and Defiant Little Bubbles of Joy, were both nominated for YALSA's Best Books for Young Adults. Defiant Little Bubbles of Joy made Booklist's Top 10 Fiction for Youth and the ALA Round Table's Rainbow Books Bibliography.

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