Fat Cat
by Robin Brande

    FAT CAT by Robin Brande
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  10/13/09
    Publisher:  Knopf
    Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Catherine Locke has hated Matt McKinney ever since she overheard him say something mean about her at the
    seventh grade science fair.  Before that fateful day, they were best friends.  Now, she just wants to win this year’s
    science fair.  Science fair participation is a requisite for Mr. Fizer’s Special Topics in Research Science class.  The
    only problem is her project will depend on what picture she pulls from his stack.  Mr. Fizer creates a folder with
    various pictures taken from magazines, and the students have to create a project around that picture.  It could
    literally be anything and the students can’t look when they pull a picture.  

    Cat sees Matt actually smile when he looks at his selection.  So when she pulls a picture of early hominis (think
    Neanderthals) surrounding a dead animal, she is devastated.  How can she make THAT into a first place science
    project?

    Cat started plumping up in middle school.  She used to love swimming, and the exercise kept her metabolism in
    check.  But that one fateful summer, it seemed like her body took on a life of its own.  Thankfully her best friend,
    Amanda, loves her just the way she is.  So when Cat gets the idea to see how living like the early hominis would
    affect her, Amanda embraces the idea with her and supports her endeavor.  Her parents, though not as quick to
    approve, finally agree, with the stipulation that Cat talks to the dietician at the hospital her mom works at, to ensure
    proper nutrition.  

    This begins Cat’s year-long journey of giving up modern technology, walking everywhere (though there were some
    safety exceptions included), and eating only what the early ancestors would have been able to produce.  What Cat
    doesn’t expect is how her body, and ultimately her own self-perception, changes during her scientific experiment.  
    As the new Cat emerges, she finds the courage to finally confront Matt about the day that changed her life so long
    ago.

    FAT CAT is a fantastic book!  I can’t say enough about it  Told in a sort of journal format, Cat shares her life as
    her science project progresses.  The reader gets to feel her frustration, desperation, despair, uncertainty, and
    ultimately relief as she learns to accept herself for who she is.  She realizes that she has used Matt as her reason for
    self-loathing, when it may have been far deeper than that.  FAT CAT moved quickly, and as the pounds start to fall
    off Cat, you won’t want to put the book down.  

    One thing that really worked in the story is that not once does Ms. Brande reveal Cat’s starting weight, nor what
    she wound up losing.  The reader gets to experience the wonder of discovery with Cat and watch her blossom with
    her newfound confidence.  Follow Cat on her science experiment and enjoy the ride.  You won’t be disappointed.  
    I know I wasn’t!