The Other F Word

Starred review from September 16, 2019
This outstanding anthology of essays, illustrations, poems, and letters assembled and edited by librarian and writer Manfredi is a celebration of every body and presents a revolutionary message about fat acceptance and self-love. Bringing together 31 intersectional and diverse voices, the volume includes selections by gay, Latino, big and tall model Ady Del Valle; nonbinary Chinese-American writer S. Qiouyi Lu; and African-American plus-size model, blogger, and activist Saucyé West. Following Manfredi’s thoughtful, empowering note, Alex Gino’s opening essay, “Body Sovereignty: This Fat Trans Flesh Is Mine,” sets the tone for the volume with the powerful, straightforward message that individuals have the right to determine what is best for their own bodies and selves, regardless of size or societal assumptions about health or worth. Manfredi skillfully balances the contributions, interspersing research-based essays with poems and illustrations about self-care and self-acceptance, and pulls off the nuanced feat of representing an array of insights and topics relating to fat experiences. This empowering, stereotype-busting volume concludes with a section highlighting “Fat Fashion Resources” compiled by contributors. Ages 13–up.