“45 pounds (more or less)” by K.A. Barson

In a glut of YA books about eating disorders this one stands out.  Take Mackler’s “The Earth, My Butt and Other Big Round Things” and mix it with a little “Modern Family” and you have a thoroughly enjoyable story.  Ann is overweight and not just a by a little.  As a bridesmaid in her aunt’s upcoming wedding, Ann is determined to shed the unwanted weight.  Problem is … eating issues aren’t always about the food.  As Ann discovers, a healthy lifestyle is about a lot of things – including how you think about food and how you think about yourself.  Despite some dark threads this is not a “heavy” novel (pun not intended) and there is a good deal of humor mixed in beautifully with pathos for a heart-warming “dramedy.”  What I like about it is how real it is.  Ann’s path to an improved viewpoint is not simple and none of the characters are perfect.  The grandmother who has the best insight into life is a chain smoker and the thin, beautiful mother who is seemingly in control of all things has her own issues with food and self-image.  The family dynamic is complex and contemporary with layers that make it feel genuine.  As someone who has also struggled with food issues I really related to Ann, even when she got a little whiney.  There are also a few parallels that were achingly familiar:  a philandering biological father, an insightful and gentle step-dad and a controlling mom who internalizes anger and lives on salad.  The fact that I could see myself in the book is part of why it struck a chord with me.  The writing is also clean, direct and accessible.  The lessons learned aren’t preachy but do make an impact.  One of the biggest ones is something I figured out a few years back … eating issues are eating issues, no matter what your size is.  Just a great book throughout.