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  • Taking Up Space

Taking Up Space

Author
Publication Date
January 03, 2023
Genre / Grade Band
Fiction /  6th − 8th
Language
English
Taking Up Space

Description

Sarah loves basketball more than anything. Crushing it on the court makes her feel like she matters. And it's the only thing that helps her ignore how much it hurts when her mom forgets to feed her. But lately Sarah can't even play basketball right. She's slower now and missing shots she should be able to make. Her body doesn't feel like it's her own anymore. She's worried that changing herself back to how she used to be is the only way she can take control over what's happening.

When Sarah's crush asks her to be partners in a cooking competition, she feels pulled in a million directions. She'll have to dig deep to stand up for what she needs at home, be honest with her best friends, and accept that she doesn't need to change to feel good about herself.

Booklist described Gerber's novels in starred reviews as both highly empathetic and truly inspiring. Taking Up Space promises to be a realistic and compelling story about struggling with body image and learning that true self-esteem comes from within.

Publication date
January 03, 2023
Genre
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781338186017
Lexile Measure
690
Guided Reading Level
V
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
BISAC categories
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV032020 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Basketball
JUV039240 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Depression & Mental Illness
JUV050000 - Juvenile Fiction | Cooking & Food
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Interpersonal relations
Basketball
Basketball stories
Mothers and daughters
Best friends
Eating disorders
Food habits
Puberty

ALA/Booklist

A well-developed narrative...this is both informative and entertaining, especially for younger teens.

Kirkus

A positive representation of constructive approaches to an often misunderstood condition... Pragmatic and valuable.

Publishers Weekly

Gerber portrays Sarah's bodily discomfort and eating disorder with realism and compassion, highlighting both her desire to be healthy and her denial when things move beyond her control... This affirming novel offers a normalizing message about discussing body image and mental health.
Alyson Gerber

Alyson Gerber is the author of The Liars Society series and the critically acclaimed novels Focused, Braced, and Taking Up Space. A former marketing director, Alyson earned her MFA in creative writing at the New School. She grew up in New England and now lives in New York City with her family. Follow her @AlysonGerber and at alysongerber.com