Book Review: 45 Pounds (More or Less) by K.A. Barson

Anyone who has struggled with weight will appreciate K.A. Barson’s new book, 45 Pounds (More or Less). What I loved about this book is that it really nails the internal struggle that comes with being overweight and trying to diet. That is all put into a rather simple story, which felt more middle grade than YA at times.

Sixteen year old, Ann Galardi, is overweight. Often comparing herself to thin kids her age and her perfect size 6 mom, she feels the pressure to lose weight. But the stress of it all usually leads her to find comfort in food. But when her Aunt Jackie announces she’s getting married and asks Ann to be a bridesmaid, Ann becomes determined to lose 45 pounds (more or less).

Ann’s struggle with dieting and losing weight is extremely relatable. Her feelings about herself and how she feels she is perceived by others rings very true. Especially at that age of sixteen which is still full of transitions, it can be very hard to find the will to give up something comforting, like eating. The author does a phenomenal job letting readers understand how dieting takes a lot more than eating less and exercising more.

In addition, some of Ann’s family problems come to light. Her biological father can care less about her. Her mom is obsessed with being thin and not overeating. She often feels like the odd one out in her new family, which consists of her step-father and her two much younger half-siblings. She takes refuge with her grandmother, who, to Ann, is the one who doesn’t make her feel any less for being overweight. I liked how Barson put Ann’s family at play in her story. It goes to show how someone you’re close to can make or break you. It also shows how much of a difference a support system can make in one’s life.

If there was anything I didn’t like about 45 Pounds, it would be how the character’s tone felt a little off. I thought Ann sounded more like a thirteen or fourteen year old than a sixteen year old. It was a little too kid-ish/innocent, which threw me off at times. This book really works more as a Middle Grade/Young Adult crossover.

With the right amounts of humor and drama, 45 Pounds (More or Less) truly captures a young girl’s battle with self-esteem and dieting. I have yet to read a book that felt this relatable about this issue that many teens face today.

Rating: 8/10

45 Pounds (More or Less) by K.A. Barson hits shelves on July 11, 2013. Support The Young Folks and purchase the book at our TYF Store, powered by Amazon.

Book Info:

Publisher:  Viking Juvenile (July 11, 2013)
Length: 272 pages (Hardcover)
Series:  N/A
Source: ARC (Provided by Publisher)
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Fiction, Dieting, Self- Esteem, Family
Completed: July 2013

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