I'm cheating a tad bit...my kick-ass heroine is from a middle grade book. But it fits because I'd like to see something like this portrayed more often in YA. It is an issue that affects so many young girls and women: weight.
I've chosen Celeste, the 13-year-old heroine of this book:
In Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies, Celeste has a dilemma. She's always been an overeater, relying on oversized clothing to disguise her excess weight. When her mom signs her up for a modeling challenge for overweight girls, she launches a plan: lose weight so she'll no longer qualify for the pageant.
Why is Celeste a kick-ass heroine? Because she resists delicious cookies and battles a real-world problem so many of us face every single day.
Anyone who can fight the battle to be healthy and WIN is my total hero. If you write YA, please, please, please create heroines like Celeste!
Below is the linky list. Be sure to visit the other blogs participating today!
I second that! In a society that is more unhealthy and overweight than ever, show someone reversing the trend successfully.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that she chose to give her a reason to lose weight that wasn't superficial. She legit wanted to avoid being in a pageant and this was the best way.
DeleteI agree. This is a subject that meds more covering in books.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen it covered at all.
DeleteEducating about balance is the right way to go. It's doing the extreme that causes so many problems. People are suffering from being underweight as well as overweight. A thoughtful post, Stephanie. I'm just gonna have to read how Celeste handles herself :) Take care and have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteAt that age, it's SUCH a tough issue because your peers can be harsh, whether you're underweight or overweight. Of course, that's the case at any age, but it seems to get easier as you get older.
DeleteThe battle to be healthy is definitely a tough one, so she definitely fits this character type!
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy. Bad food tastes SO good!
DeleteI love this! I'm adding it to my GR TBR list. And I love that you did MG. Secretly, I was hoping someone would. Thanks for participating!
ReplyDeleteHaha! I had to break the rules. Honestly, I don't read very many YA books. It's usually either MG or grown-up books.
DeleteI won a book that deal with the same issues. I know it's tough at first, but replacing unhealthy foods with good ones works every time. Hurrah for for Celeste!
ReplyDeleteFor me it's just about watching calories. That's the only thing that's ever worked.
Delete*stares at cookies on counter* Yep, definitely an issue we all deal with :) Great pick!
ReplyDeleteLOL, NO cookies at all in this house. Not one. I just enjoyed a zesty pickle spear. Zero calories.
DeleteWe are officially cookie-less here again. Because I ate them all. lol! (Okay, really, I had some serious help on that though!)
DeleteI love stories for young adults that address common issues. Great heroine to cover!
ReplyDeleteI think this is one that even adults can relate to!
DeleteCeleste sounds awesome, especially being so young.
ReplyDeleteShe has a good head on her shoulders!
DeleteSounds like a good example and suitably kick-ass. Cool blog hop
ReplyDeleteHeroism comes in many forms, I guess!
DeleteThis is such a great topic, Stephanie. As a long-time Middle School Principal, I am painfully aware of the desperate need for more awareness creation in this area. Thanks for highlighting this!
ReplyDeleteA really cute, and awesome hero. A real good role model to girls.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way to help girls dealing with weight problems. More books like these are needed.
ReplyDeleteShe is indeed a hero.
ReplyDeleteThen I must be living the dream. Giving up junk food is so much fun--not. hehehe
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
This sounds delightful. And a great message for YAs: Chocolate can be defeated.
ReplyDeleteYou've touched upon my daily problem. This sounds like an interesting read and perfect for ya readers.
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent! An example for us all!
ReplyDeleteI do love that girl! I think we all need our own motivation to change and I love hers. It shows me she's a bit stubborn too, a great characteristic for middle school girls to have.
ReplyDeleteHealthy eating is something really talked about at my son’s school, and this is great but my son latches right onto every word. That aside, he is not a big boy, and he eats healthy foods by choice. However, what worries me is that at 6 years old he thinks he is fat! He makes comments about his tummy being big and various other weight related comments. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an interesting book. And yes, resisting chocolate cookies is tough. I have to do it since I can't have chocolate anymore.
ReplyDeleteResisting any kind of chocolate is so hard. My particular choice for a kickass heroine has chocolate in her world, but it is illegal. And that's just the start: Anya in a series called "Birthright" by Gabrielle Zevon. She actually is not my #1 choice for kickass heroine but there's that association with chocolate...
ReplyDelete