Skinny

Written by Donna Cooner

Narrated by Elizabeth Morton

Find your voice.

Hopeless. Freak. Elephant. Pitiful. These are the words of Skinny, the vicious voice that lives inside fifteen-year-old Ever Davies's head. Skinny tells Ever all the dark thoughts her classmates have about her. Ever knows she weighs over three hundred pounds, knows she'll probably never be loved, and Skinny makes sure she never forgets it. But there is another voice: Ever's singing voice, which is beautiful but has been silenced by Skinny. Partly in the hopes of trying out for the school musical - and partly to try and save her own life - Ever decides to undergo a risky surgery that may help her lose weight and start over. With the support of her best friend, Ever begins the uphill battle toward change. But demons, she finds, are not so easy to shake, not even as she sheds pounds. Because Skinny is still around. And Ever will have to confront that voice before she can truly find her own. Donna Cooner brings warmth, wit, and startling insight to this unforgettable debut.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scholastic Audio Books
• Release date: Oct 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9780545511636

Donna Cooner

Donna Cooner is an author, blogger, speaker and teacher currently living in Fort Collins, Colorado. A former teacher and school administrator, she is a Professor of Education and the Director of Colorado State University’s School of Teacher Education and Principal Preparation.  Donna enjoys speaking to schools about her writing process and overcoming self-criticism. Skinny, her debut novel, was named YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults and selected a Book Expo of America Young Adult Buzz Book.

Reviews for Skinny

[Fatima Agustine Trinidad · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the book. I think everyone’s got a skinny at one point. I was hoping there’s more of Rat or at least more of their kids back stories so it justified his confession to her.

[paige shely · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good story about struggling with yourself. Only downfall is the main character kind of annoyed me.

[johanna.florez21 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars.

I loved that the author created a character who was not actually a damsel in distress, but who needed to realize that she had for so long been the villain of her own story. We're usually given a kind and loving princess but instead were given a realistically flawed character who's far from the constant victim she thinks she is. There are so many people who could benefit from reading the different messages contained in this story. I also like that she ended up with the best friend :)

[emma_manolis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cover Thoughts: I really like this cover, but I kind of wish the words in gray would have been some of the terrible things Skinny whispered in Ever's ear instead of the same word over and over again in different fonts. I think just by looking at the cover and the title I would guess that this book is about a girl with an eating disorder who was way too skinny.

Why did I read this? It's interesting to me to get a glimpse into the lives and minds of people who are going through life with trials and tribulations that are different from my own. I think reading books like this help me learn to relate to and empathize with people better.

Thoughts: I loved this book so much. Seriously, so much. It's not often that I walk away from a book and feel uplifted and ready to face my demons head-on. I am thrilled to report that this was one of those books.

I went into this read a little worried I wouldn't relate because I've never had an issue with weight. Luckily, I inherited my grandpa's fast metabolism and have remained the same size, give or take five pounds for almost a decade. I have, however, been surrounded by people I love who do struggle and I've had a hard time relating to that struggle. One of those people has told me time and time again that, "I just don't understand" and that this struggle isn't easy. The one thing I LOVED about this book is that it opens your eyes so that you realize that everyone struggles with something and while those struggles may be different in nature we can support one another.

For me, my struggle has been acne. I've had a clear-faced monster on my shoulder whispering phrases as damaging as Skinny's whispers to Ever. I've been to so many dermatologists and have tried all kinds of diets and medicines and guess what? Nothing worked. Then one day I woke up and I realized this is something that seems to be out of my control. The best thing I can do is stop worrying and take those steps to keep my face clean, limit the amount of makeup, moisturize daily, etc. My skin isn't amazing, but it has improved because I try really hard not to listen to that voice.

This book will take you on a journey and along the way you will find and face your demons as Ever faces her. You will laugh and maybe cry but I promise you will enjoy the ride. I would strongly recommend reading this book.

Advisory: I may have shed a single tear. . .keep a Kleenex nearby.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Skinny" was the third 'fat girl' book I've read recently and, of the three, it was certainly the most entertaining. I enjoyed following Ever's journey as she struggled with body issues and self-worth, despite the fact I hated her name - Ever . . . really? At times I was annoyed with Ever as she could jump to conclusions and be quite critical of others, however, I still connected with her as I was an overweight teenager myself.

I absolutely adored Rat, Ever's closest and slightly geeky friend, who was there for her every step of the way, but I was disgusted with the superficial way Jackson treated her.

I found the part where Ever finally stood up to Skinny, her inner voice, very unrealistic and I would have liked the author to have delved deeper into the issues of obesity and gastric by-pass surgery but, overall, "Skinny" was still an enjoyable read.

[akboyd11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good book. I highly recommend this for all teenage and preteen girls. Very profound message about body image and how we see and speak to ourselves!

[mirandalg14 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars. I think almost everyone can relate to Ever and her internal battle with herself. There is always a time when you feel that you are never going to be "enough," whether you want to feel smarter or prettier or taller or whatever it may be. I think this is also great in the way it points out that how we think others view us is usually far from what they actually think of us.

[melissapetty10 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was really though provoking. It really gets down into the details about this surgery, and I think it would be great for anyone about to do the surgery to read. I'm not sure I like that she went pretty much straight for the surgery and not really try anything else. I guess it does mention her dieting, but it may give the wrong impression to overweight teens. But overall it was well written.

[themadhatters_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ever is 15 yrs old & weighs 302lbs. She wants to perform in the school play next spring. Considering her appearance & the meaness she projects & feels, Ever doesn't have much of a chance in fulfilling that dream. Unless...she chooses gastric by pass surgery. The weight is coming off- but her life is getting hyjacked by the popular girl who sees her as a make over project. Ever gets caught up in the popular group---but is that who she really is? With the help of Rat- who is like the guardian angel she isn't aware of- she gets her life on track. What is it like to from obese to regular? Or undergo a huge operation & a huge life style change? Can Ever attain her dreams?

[arlenadean · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Author: Donna Cooner
Published By: Point Press
Age Recommended: YA
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

"Skinny" by Donna Cooner was some read definitely a powerful one. This novel is of a journey taken as this young lady under goes surgery to reduce her weight. Wow, I can only say what amusing novel this one is! This author has choose a wonderful topic that has troubled us forever...obesity of the childhood...and I think she did a good job at accurately bringing out the pros and cons of weight loss surgery. There was definitely a positive message that this book delivers.. for Ms. Cooner.. the author was a gastric bypass patient herself. Ms. Cooner offers us a beautiful novel about over coming ones insecurities and getting rid of that voiced that says 'you aren't good enough and skinny enough for anything! Be ready to be taken on a long journey where demons will be faced.

Be ready to laugh and even cry....but in the end after reading "Skinny" showing much bravery and courage...and I would recommend this one as a good quick read.