Review: Slob

Title: Slob

Author: Ellen Potter

From GoodReads, "Twelve-year-old Owen Birnbaum is the fattest kid in school. But he’s also a genius who invents cool contraptions— like a TV that shows the past. Something happened two years ago that he needs to see. But genius or not, there is much Owen can’t outthink. Like his gym coach, who’s on a mission to humiliate him. Or the way his Oreos keep disappearing from his lunch. He’s sure that if he can only get the TV to work, things will start to make sense. But it will take a revelation for Owen, not science, to see the answer’s not in the past, but the present. That no matter how large he is on the outside, he doesn’t have to feel small on the inside."

This summer I was looking for authors on Twitter and came across Ellen Potter. She had just announced that she was giving away an autographed copy of her book to the first several people who sent her a direct message... luckily, I was one of them.

The front cover of Slob is simple, yet appeals to the kid in all of us. After reading the book myself, I purchased a copy for the library and the cover draws many readers to the book. The book is about Owen, who at twelve, is both intelligent and overweight. Owen isn't the most likable character, mostly because of how much he brags about his own intelligence. However, what makes him stand out is his determination to get even with the classmates (and teacher) that bully and steal from him. There were many times in this book, that I was rooting for Owen and secretly wishing that his unique inventions would be his ultimate revenge.

Potter tells Owen's story with humor and compassion and anyone that has ever witnessed or experienced bullying will be able to identify with. I especially liked that the book was not predictable and its twists and turns made it even more enjoyable to read. Every time I thought that I had this book figured out, something new would emerge and totally throw me off.

Ellen Potter is a wonderful writer who deserves to be read. Here's hoping many of you will pick up this unique, endearing, and funny book!