Author: Alyson Gerber
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Release Date: May 18/21
Audio/Page Length: 272 pages
Reviewer: Laurie
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher Scholastic Inc for a digital ARC of this title to read.
First off, Alyson Gerber’s other two books (Braced and Focused) were so compelling, telling stories readers need to hear following Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s ideas about readers needing windows (to see others) and mirrors (to see themselves). I knew I would be reading anything this author wrote, and I am eager to share this book and to get it into the hands of readers.
Sarah loves basketball, but lately, her game has been off. She attests this to her eating and now sets up rules about what she can eat based on what she thinks she hears from her coach and her mother’s views of what it means to be healthy. Emilia and Ryan are her two best friends and are also on the basketball team. Turmoil begins when Sarah and Emilia develop a crush on the same boy Benny, who happens to love cooking. Their health teacher pairs the two to work together, and Benny coaxes Sarah into being his partner for a YouTube cooking competition. This creates more tension for Sarah. First, there are the differences between Benny’s and Sarah’s relationship with food. Sarah is also avoiding Emilia and does not want her to know about the show and their partnership. Finally, things escalate as her teammates see that she is drinking more water and not eating.
So many of our readers have conflicting and confusing information about what healthy means and distorted thoughts about body image, especially around puberty and being involved in different activities. Active females (whether playing a sport, dancing or other activities) need to get enough food to fuel their bodies properly. Alyson Gerber takes the issue a step further, breaking new ground by writing about a mother who has a distorted view leading to the daughter having issues. I have never read anything where a parental figure has directly influenced a child, and sadly, I think this could be on the rise with societal views about body image.
Despite her mother fueling the ideas Sarah has, there were several ways individuals support Sarah. Her friend, Ryan, makes a tough decision to protect her friend. Her basketball coach is instrumental for Sarah getting help by setting up the visit to the counsellor; these roles are often not spoken a lot about in books.
Alyson Gerber nails so many things that kids this age are going through – crush on the same guy – friendship issues, balancing various activities and just trying to figure out your identity. She makes the plot easy to follow, and readers will want to continue reading to see how Sarah resolves the many problems she faces; her eating habits, first crushes, and the different friendship issues that will feel very real.
There are not many books at this age with such detailed descriptions of a sport, and I was surprised to learn that basketball was not one that the author played. I think this will be another appeal for readers at this age and will appreciate the play-by-play action described on the court and how it makes Sarah feel.
Upper middle-grade educators are always on the lookout for Upper MG books. Taking Up Space is a book that will resonate with these readers and fill a void. This story is timely and critical to read and should be accessible to all middle-grade readers.
As an FYI, Alyson Gerber and debut author Lisa Fipps (STARFISH) join forces in the virtual event P&P Live! Alyson Gerber-Taking Up Space—with Lisa Fipps taking place June 17 at 7 p.m.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Gr 6+
FIRST LINE: I sprint forward toward the basket and V-cut to get open, but the player guarding me, number twelve with the pigtail braids, is quick and no matter how hard I push myself, I can’t break free.
PICTURE BOOK PAIRINGS: You Are (Not) Small, Brontonina, Abigail the Whale, and Lucy Tries Basketball
SIMILAR TITLES: Starfish, Up for Air and All of Me,
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS NARRATOR: Braced and Focused
SUBJECT HEADINGS/TAGS: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Mental Health, Eating Disorders, Body Image
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