Manfredi, Angie. The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat & Fierce. Amulet Books, 2019. ISBN 978-1419737503
Plot
Anthology directed at young people to tell their own stories. The collection included poety, personal anecdotes and artwork. The voices centered were of young people or adults who have personal testimonies with body positivty. It combines combines the voices of Renée Watson, Julie Murphy, Jes Baker, Samantha Irby, Bruce Sturgell, and more in a relatable y guide abou fat positivity body image and fat acceptance. Although it hightlights the voices of people who are impacted by society's standards and not as small, this is a book for everyone. It challenges the notiions of beauty centered around body types. It curates the talents of well known fat YA and middle-grade authors, as well as fat influencers and creators. There are 30 entries, and intersectional approach.
Critical Evaluation
This anthology centers body diversity, and has the purpose to inspire individuals reading the book to find their own way in self-acceptance, celebrate strength and resilience. There are letters to younger selves, advice, and how to own one's place regardless of body type. It is a book for teens and young adult readers, and up to adults. I was inspired and helped me see how we are affected by the narrow confines of beauty in society. It asks readers to interrogate what conjures when one says or hears the word "fat." It is essential in cultural narrative changes that it is understood that word fat is not a bad word. It promotes comfort in one's skin, in this society is a political act.
Thirty voices were highlighted and this offered many perspectives and diverse experiences. Yet some of the work appeared repetitive and felt as if the author needed to edit out for singularity of story. There are universal aspects that cannot be avoided, but some of the messaging appeared redundant. There also was a sense that it was sometimes directed towards young people and other times older adults, this could cause some confusion, and so cohesiveness seemed a little off.
Reader's Annotation
A young adult collection of poetry, art, and prose celebrating fat acceptance.
Author Information
Angie Manfredi is a librarian, writer, and editor. She has a special interest in and focus on spotlighting and uplifting marginalized voices in both youth literature and librarianship. She passionately advocates, in the words of Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, giving readers “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors” in all the books shared with them. She cherishes mentoring new librarians and championing equity of access for all youth readers. Her areas of expertise in librarianship include collection development and maintenance and youth programming.
Angie is fat and not sorry about it. In her spare time, she enjoys writing snail mail, watching obscure world cinema, debating unsolved mysteries, and really must insist that Jack could not fit on that door at the end of Titanic. She spends much too much time on Twitter @misskubelik and would love to discuss elaborate Supernatural plot theories with you there.
Source: https://fatgirlreading.com/about/
Genre
Non-Fiction Poetry Essays Anthology
BookTalking Ideas
Why would you think this book is needed? What words come to you when you say the word, fat?
Reading Level/Age Interest
Reading Level: 8th
Reading age: 13 years+
Challenge Issues
LGBTQI+, feminism, discrimination, mental health. It it would be challenged I would have the Library Bill of Rights handy and the Los Angeles County Library Collections policy.
Why I Included This Book in Collections
In a society that is highly concerned with the "smaller" size of people, and is sizist a book of this type is a great addition to a library collection tailored to young adult readers.
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