THE SUMMER I LOST IT by Natalie Kath

THE SUMMER I LOST IT by Natalie Kath

Middle Grade - Hardcover, 112 pages
Published August 2011

The Book Depository / Goodreads

Kat is just like other fourteen-year-old girls. Except this summer, she's spending four weeks at a Health Camp . . . otherwise known as fat camp. Can she lose the weight she needs to be able to do the things everyone else does? Or will she let her body control her?

THE SUMMER I LOST IT is a cute, quick read told through the journal entries of a 14-year-old girl named Kat. She's "fat, not just curvy," and she wants this to be the summer she finally slims down and sees what it's like to be the fit girl with the boyfriend.

I went into this expecting to follow her to fat camp, as stated in the synopsis, but that's not what happened. It's decided very early on that she's staying home for the summer, and the book is her journal as she works to get fit on her own utilizing a gym membership and better eating habits. I really would've liked the trip to summer camp.

Because the pages are filled with her thoughts through a journal, there isn't a whole lot of external plot going on. She's overweight, and works to lose weight. She wishes she had a boyfriend, and thinks she doesn't because of her weight. That said, I did like how and when the potential love interest was introduced. She didn't get super skinny and hook up with the hottest boy in school as a result, and I can appreciate that.

THE SUMMER I LOST IT reads like a real life account of a young girl trying to get fit. I can't imagine that someone without weight issues would be able to relate to Kat much, but do think that a girl considering making changes like Kat would enjoy the read and it could work almost like a self-help book. However, I suppose the girl would have to find the book on her own, as I don't think it's one I'd gift to any pre-teens because I'd be too worried about sending the message that I think they're fat.

The back of the book contains healthy breakfast and snack ideas, and a few recipes to help young readers dive into healthy eating.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy for review.