A sensitive, firsthand treatment of the topic made all the richer by its inclusion of the author’s religion and culture.
In this graphic memoir, Awada, a “young Muslim woman who lives in America’s heartland,” shares her struggle with body dysmorphic disorder.,
Awada was raised in a Middle Eastern culture in which “there is never a shortage of food nourishment, and love”—in fact, “feeding your children is love.” But when Awada was 6, her aunt called her “too big,” and “that was the day…they flipped a switch that could never be turned off.” As she ages, she finds a “new family [in] food,” which becomes her best friend in a world where she wants to be perfect, just like her meticulous mom. In high school, Awada turns to dieting, then starving herself, and then purging. Although she feels “such euphoria” after purging, Awada only grows weaker. The author admits that she could have died, “but, by the grace of Allah (God), I am here… / …alive to tell my story.” Illustrations capture her fragile body and growing weakness. Meanwhile, her family struggles to pay for her treatment. With help, she starts to heal and realizes that “imperfection is beautiful.” Heartfelt narration works with Firmansyah’s art and Kamaputra’s bold colors to depict Awada’s changes—weight gain and finding comfort in food to weight loss, all while struggling to be perfect. A closing note from a professional provides tips for identifying and avoiding eating disorders.
A sensitive, firsthand treatment of the topic made all the richer by its inclusion of the author’s religion and culture. (Graphic memoir. 11-15)Pub Date: April 16, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-947378-07-0
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Zuiker Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2019
Readers will learn some basic facts about sex differences, but it'll take some extra leaps on their parts to connect all the...
Bite-sized pieces of scientific research seek to illuminate the gender gap.
Taking a mostly humorous approach, Rosen examines the stereotypes that paint men as the ones who never ask for directions and women as the ones who talk all the time. Some of these stereotypes turn out to be rooted in biology and can be demonstrated scientifically, such as how room temperature affects how men and women learn. Others are more a product of society and culture, such as women smiling more than men due to sex roles in the media. Each stereotype is covered in a short, two-page spread, featuring full-color photos and well-written text that doesn't try too hard to be cool. In a few instances, Rosen doesn't make enough of a connection between nature and nurture, though—like not pointing out the societal impact of boys’ demonstrated tendency to equate girls with power tools when looking them at the beach. Without going deeper into these stereotypes, this title remains on the surface.
Readers will learn some basic facts about sex differences, but it'll take some extra leaps on their parts to connect all the dots to understand just what it all means. (source notes, selected bibliography, further resources, index) (Nonfiction. 12-14)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4677-1610-9
Page Count: 72
Publisher: Twenty-First Century/Lerner
Review Posted Online: Sept. 2, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2014
It’s a lot to take in at one sitting, but this anatomical extravaganza really gets to the heart of the matter. Not to...
A theatrical introduction to human anatomy, as well-choreographed as it is informative.
In 11 “Acts” hosted con brio by a skeletal impresario (“Bring out the lungs!”), Wicks parades a revue of body systems across a curtained stage. It’s a full program, with a teeming supporting cast from Dopamine to Diaphragm, Golgi Body to Gastroenteritis joining more-familiar headliners. The presentation opens with a zoom down to the cellular and even molecular levels to lay foundations for later macro and micro views of digestion, infection, and disease. Following this, the five senses (only five), the “dance of the oxygen fairies,” allergic reactions, and other anatomical processes that make up each system’s major components, most sporting cheery emoji-style faces, expressively demonstrate their respective functions. The reproductive system’s named parts deliver a frank but visually discreet turn with descriptions of erections and fertilization but no direct depictions, and it stops with the onset of puberty. The performances are enhanced by labeled diagrams, pitches on relevant topics from the importance of immunization and proper nutrition to synonyms for “fart,” and lists of important words and further resources. A few miscues aside (no, the speed of sound is not invariant), it’s a grand show, with a logically placed intermission following a peek into the bladder and a literal “wrap” at the end as the emcee puts herself together from inside out.
It’s a lot to take in at one sitting, but this anatomical extravaganza really gets to the heart of the matter. Not to mention the guts, nerves, veins, bones…. (glossary, bibliography) (Graphic nonfiction. 12-14)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-62672-277-4
Page Count: 240
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: July 21, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2015
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