Book: EVERY BODY SHINES: SIXTEEN STORIES ABOUT LIVING FABULOUSLY FAT Edited by Cassandra Newbould
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Release Date: June 8, 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
ISBN-13: 978-1547606078
Numbered Pages: 401
Short Stories: There are 16 Short Stories Total, 4 of Which Are Written by Authors in the Melanin in YA Database
Jacket Illustration: Thaddeus Coates
Jacket Design: John Candell
Audiobook Run Time: 9 hours and 24 minutes (Unabridged)
Audiobook Narrator: Narrated by Kelsey Miller
Purchase: Bookshop I Barnes & Noble I IndieBound I Amazon
Add it to Goodreads: Here
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Synopsis:
In these sixteen stories, just like in real life, fat girls and boys and nonbinary teens are:
friends who lift each other up, heroes who rescue themselves, big bodies in space, intellects taking up space, and figures looking and feeling beautiful.
They express themselves through fashion, through sports and other physical pursuits, and through food, music, and art.
They are flirting and falling in love. They are loving to themselves and one another.
This collection shows young fat people as the heroes they deserve in stories that feature fat main characters starring in a multitude of settings and genres, written by authors who lives these lives too. They’re willing to talk about what it is to be fat, show characters being their glorious fat selves, and show how they shine.
Because Every Body Shines.
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Dedication: “To those who still dance in the shadows, may these stories light the way. And to my family, I shine brighter with you, always. –C.N.”
Find the Acknowledgements: End of Book
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Jacket Copy Blurb:
“A deeply validating and joyful collection! Every Body Shines is the kind of book I’ve been waiting to see on shelves my whole life.” ―Julie Murphy, New York Times bestselling author of DUMPLIN’
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Claire Kann
Author: Claire Kann
Short Story: “Guilt Trip” – Pages 5-22
Genre: Contemporary
Setting: Sacramento, CA
Tense: Past Tense
Point of View (POV): Third Person
Themes/Subjects: Family, Independence, Loyalty, Security, Resentment, Confidence
Characters + Identifiers (Main Character + In Order of Named Appearance):
Mia Jackson – Curly heart shaped afro (p. 5), 16-years-old (p. 10), round cheeks, pointy chin, thick calves, muscular thighs (p. 11), same nose, shade of warm brown skin, kinky hair, and unruly eyebrows as her sister, short and stocky (p. 12)
Rudy Jackson – Mia’s Dad, Firefighter (p. 8), face shaped like a U with a dimple in his chin, tall, gangly, big hands and larger feet (p. 11)
Maddie – Mia’s Sister, same nose, shade of warm brown skin, kinky hair, and unruly eyebrows as her sister, tally and lanky (p. 12)
Frank – Rudy’s Boss
Michael – Maddie’s Fiancé, 2″ shorter than Maddie, lean yet muscular, big expressive eyes, goofy smile, patchy beard (p. 15)
Mom – Mia’s Late Mother, Prima Ballerina, sharp cheekbones, delicate wrists, swan-like neck, sturdy shoulders, svelte legs (p. 11)
Lemon – Pumpkin Spice Bassist
Apple – Pumpkin Spice Lead Singer
Fun Facts:
There are pop culture references to/mentions of Michael Myers, Beyoncé, Super Mario Bros, Cruella De Vil, Jackie Aina.
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Francina Simone
Author: Francina Simone
Short Story: “Letters to Charlie Brown” – Pages 286-310
Genre: Contemporary
Setting: Wednesday, August 29th – Wednesday, May 8th / Dr. Phillips Magnet School
Tense: Present Tense
Point of View (POV): First Person
Themes/Subjects: Love, Friendship, Loyalty, Self Esteem, Confidence, Identity, Change, Empathy, Fearlessness, Perspective, Persistence, Fearlessness
Triggers: Bullying
Characters + Identifiers (Main Character + In Order of Named Appearance):
Genie Raspberry – Sophomore, naturals curls are a tad kinkier than Olivia’s, beautiful jawline (p. 297), heart shaped face (p. 301)
Mrs. Fiddle – Spanish Teacher, white woman, loose hippie hair (p. 287)
Becky Russo – Classmate
Teddy Johnson – Classmate
Seth – Genie’s (Ex-)Boyfriend, Sax Player, braces removed (p. 296)
Fito – Genie’s Deaf Cat
Mom – Genie’s Mother
Tofu – Seth’s Dog
Seth’s Mother – Big orange hair and purple lipstick (p. 292)
Chantel Davis – Genie’s Best Friend, Pianist
Wig Girl – Cheap wig with a bad hairline (p. 293)
Mr. Kaminiski – Band Teacher
Olivia James – Classmate, the most beautiful girl Genie has ever known (p. 296), brown poreless skin, too much eyeliner, moisturized to perfection curls, curvy (p. 297), dark eyelashes, deep brown eyes (p. 307)
Mrs. McKinley – English Teacher
Diana McIntosh – Band Classmate
Hannah Zimmer – Band Classmate
Fun Facts:
There are pop culture references/mentions of The Scarlet Letter and Beethoven.
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Renée Watson
Author: Renée Watson
Short Story: “Letting Go” – Pages 378-387
Genre: Contemporary
Setting: June / Seaside Beach, Oregon
Tense: Present Tense
Point of View (POV): First Person
Themes/Subjects: Family, Anonymity, Perception, Agency, Identity, Confidence, Humanity
Characters + Identifiers (Main Character + In Order of Named Appearance):
Lynn – 16-years-old, big, brown skin, brown eyes (p. 378)
Dionne – Cousin, 16-years-old, big, brown skin, brown eyes (p. 378), the oldest (p. 385)
Bree – Cousin, 16-years-old, big, brown skin, brown eyes (p. 378)
Nicole – Cousin, 16-years-old, big, brown skin, brown eyes (p. 378)
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Catherine Adel West
Author: Catherine Adel West
Short Story: “Orion’s Star” – Pages 111-138
Genre: Contemporary
Setting: Chicago, IL / Inglewood, CA
Tense: Present Tense
Point of View (POV): First Person
Themes/Subjects: Family, Support Systems, Self Esteem, Confidence, Perseverance, Regret, Forgiveness, Identity
Characters + Identifiers (Main Character + In Order of Named Appearance):
Orion “RiRi” – 16-years old, Black, skin is a reddish brown like her father’s, has all the curves people say aren’t pretty (p. 114), thick lips (p. 117)
Granny Gemma – Soft, wrinkled brown flesh (p. 111)
Momma / Rene – Orion’s Mother, College Professor
Dad – Orion’s Father, skin is a reddish brown (p. 114), thick lips (p. 117), mustache, hair is cut short, tall and broad as a tree, smooth russet-tinged skin (p. 124)
Cassiopeia “Cassie” – Orion’s Younger Sister, amber-colored eyes (p. 116)
Mr. Jackson – Neighbor
Fun Facts:
There are pop culture references/mentions of Star Wars, Black Panther, Frozen, Superman, Batman, Iron Man, Capyain Jack Sparrow, Darth Vader, Temptations, Earth Wind & Fire, The Stylistics.