Fatgirl

Superpowers come in a wide variety ... There’s nothing that seventeen-year-old Kallie Grande-White hungers for more than to be a famous model like her mother, except maybe actually food. But that’s a small inconvenience, especially with the Model Middle America reality show holding auditions for the Next Top Heartland Teen Heartthrob Model right in Kallie’s hometown. Vowing nothing will stand in her way, Kallie sets off to make her dreams come true ... only to end up in a nightmare.After sort-of innocently engorging herself on half a dozen radioactive doughnuts, Kallie transforms into a large, lumbering ball of muscle, only to unwittingly stop a terrorist attack on her city. Much to her disgust, Kallie finds her secret alter-ego, Fatgirl, universally beloved throughout Cuttingham City.And if that’s not bad enough, Abuela-Blancha, Kallie’s PhD scientist grandmother, reveals she’s been framed for the theft the radioactive doughnut recipe, and she needs Kallie-and Fatgirl-to help her clear her name. Things get even more complicated when Zeus, the awkward fat kid in Kallie’s class, sets up a fan website for Fatgirl, and other doughnut-eating Alterants begin mysteriously appearing.Now, Kallie must balance the drama of high school and the demands of her newfound superhero duties. With Abuela-Blanca as her quirky, quasi-mentor, and Zeus constantly by her side, Kallie embarks on a journey of self-discovery that teaches her that real strength comes from within-and that being a hero isn’t a 'one size fits all' kind of deal.Blending satire, humorous science fiction, and superhero adventure, Fatgirl is a beloved series by C. S. Johnson, offering a humorous and heartfelt exploration of growing up, doing the right thing, and finding love in unexpected places. Fatgirl was originally released as thirteen novellas that I had to wait months in between to read. Now Kallie’s incredible character arc is collected in one place and can be enjoyed in full with little to no waiting. Fatgirl is an incredible story of transformation. Kallie is so shallow and selfish that you almost feel like she deserves what she gets, but C.S. Johnson has a way of making the most unlikable characters sympathetic.The main character of Fatgirl is no different. Everything she does is fueled by a deep desire to please the mother who abandoned her in favor of a modeling career. Honestly, I just want to hug the poor girl. The sad part is that Kallie would definitely not want the pity. The great part is that it makes her character growth all the better as she learns that beauty really is more than skin deep. C.O. Bonham author of Runaway Lyrics and Daisy Dunlap and the Cartoon Carnival - cobonham.com