"No - he's always kinda
shabby looking. His clothes
look old and are full of holes
and stains and stuff.
Well, do you think that might
be why he's teasing others?
Huh?
To make himself feel better?
Sometimes people ...
they might act mean or tease
others because they aren't happy."
It's 1989 and Tyler Page is talking seventh grade, a time that is not easy for many. Changes in friendships are an issue, and so are his thoughts about his body. He is wearing an XL tee, buying jeans meant for husky boys as he prepares to return to school for the fall term. He's doing his best to think as positively as he can about the changes, while struggling with how he does not look like the other boys in the locker room. It is a time when adolescent bodies are often changing dramatically. Some are becoming more muscular; Tyler is not. Watching TV that honors strong body images which are tagged as ideal does not help how he sees himself.
A number of issues are explored besides body image: new school rules, bullying, jokes between his male friends that are hurtful and lead to joining into hurt others, a friendship with a girl who is not entirely secure and confident. His father is working hard on his own health, wanting to lose weight and encouraging family members to do the same. While that is playing out on the book's pages, Tyler is taking a close look at how his body is changing.
Tyler's feelings are evident. It takes time, but he works hard to find a place where he is comfortable with who he is and how he will move forward. Is thin the answer; or is healthy? What makes him feel best? This autobiographical look at one year in his life is nostalgic and thoughtful. So many tweens face some of the same difficulties that Mr. Page explores in a way that makes it all seem pretty normal. Hand this to your middle graders who like graphic novels, and who might appreciate others are dealing with similar issues.
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