legalplanner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Dancers taking charge of their career path, couldn’t put this down.
I was a little uneasy when j first picked up this book because we know that Addie our lead character is fat and proud. I was prepared for the typical tropes. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this did not lean as heavily into those.
Addie has gotten her dream opportunity and is set to take it until she realizes she doesn’t have the money to do it. This is where the idea of doing a secret burlesque show to raise funds come into play.
There is tight knit friendship, body positivity even though we all have insecurities, and banding together to beat the man down. I was shocked by how powerful Addies self love was. Even when she was insecure she was constantly telling herself she was worthy. That was in powering as someone who was always told she was not thin enough for dance. I loved how the girls stood up to the misogyny of their outfits for dance because I feel that in my soul. As a busty gal myself that made me smile and go this. This should be applied everywhere.
Overall the story was quick, didn’t feel to whiny like some teen fat focused dramas can be, and was deeply empowering for a former dancer and fellow fat friend. I love the embracing of the word and not letting it hold negativity like many want it to. Overall 4.5/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Fatphobia, and Sexism
ritareadstrash's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I saw a lot of myself in this book, as I was a fat dancer. I think Jen Larsen did an amazing job building the emotional conflict of being dressed in next to nothing for class and performance, but being told to cover up. How wearing the same thing as your classmates is vulgar from your cleavage and curves, but they chose the costume. How you're told to watch your weight, but also celebrate the strength of your body. All of these conflicting messages are coming as your body is still developing. I think this book has fabulous fat rep, and I'm very glad it's exists for teens today.
I'm not saying it's perfect, as I think it tried to tackle a LOT, in just over 300 pages. For as much trouble as the girls went through for their actions, I find it hard to believe a student who was very publicly identified, would have zero consequences for sending unsolicited dick pics, to a classmate.
I'll leave you with this quote about the impact of microaggressions, from a fabulous side character
"It's like a million tiny cuts that never scar, because the cuts keep coming. They're reminders that I'm living in a world that doesn't love me, that is actively built to reject me, remind me that I'm not white and that is the ugliest thing about me. Next ugliest is being a Black woman who knows she's beautiful."
I'm not saying it's perfect, as I think it tried to tackle a LOT, in just over 300 pages. For as much trouble as the girls went through for their actions, I find it hard to believe a student who was very publicly identified, would have zero consequences for sending unsolicited dick pics, to a classmate.
I'll leave you with this quote about the impact of microaggressions, from a fabulous side character
"It's like a million tiny cuts that never scar, because the cuts keep coming. They're reminders that I'm living in a world that doesn't love me, that is actively built to reject me, remind me that I'm not white and that is the ugliest thing about me. Next ugliest is being a Black woman who knows she's beautiful."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Bullying, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexism
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