Thursday, August 27, 2009

Plus-Size Teen Lit

Link to August 27 Oshkosh Northwestern article, "Teen lit alive with positive characters of size".

Excerpt: Like never before, teen lit is alive with plus-size characters who take on their school tormenters and get the guy, soaking up self-esteem as football heroes and big-girl models.

While fat may not be the new vampire, the uptick comes at just the right time for young readers. Childhood obesity is epic while a large, loud and proud fat acceptance movement advocates good health at any size over doomed diets, food obsessions and body shame.

In titles that include “Looks,” “Models Don’t Eat Chocolate Cookies” and “This Book Isn’t Fat, It’s Fabulous,” young people with meat on their bones are front and center in at least two dozen new books out since last year, rather than the usual ugly-duckling best friend or neighbor. Many of the stories conclude without significant weight loss, a huge breakthrough for some young fans.

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