About This Book
A parent should reach for this book when they notice their child becoming hyper-focused on food, exercise, or body shape as they enter the middle school years. This sensitive and realistic novel follows Sarah, a talented basketball player who begins to restrict her eating because she is afraid her changing body will slow her down on the court. It explores the complex intersection of sports performance, puberty, and the subtle ways adult behaviors can influence a child's relationship with food. Appropriate for ages 10 to 14, Taking Up Space provides a vital mirror for children experiencing the pressure to be 'perfect.' It is a compassionate tool for opening a dialogue about disordered eating, self-worth, and the importance of fueling one's body. Parents will appreciate the focus on internal validation and the realistic depiction of a mother-daughter dynamic where both characters are struggling with their own body image issues.
