Young Adults - Size 12 Is Not Fat

If you have some time and are looking for a good summer time book to read, then try Meg Cabot’s Size 12 Is Not Fat (A Heather Wells Mystery). I read it this last week while sitting on the beach and just laughed. I am familiar with Cabot’s Princess series, but have never read them or any of her other books. Not sure why, other than time as I try to read most works by former or current Indiana residents. The title was too funny not to pick up and really hits home with today’s current trends of what is fat and what isn’t. The book really has a sense of humor, which is set amongst a few “accidental” college students’ deaths. Although it would probably fall into your typical adult cozy mystery genre it also seems to really fit into its marketing for young adults.

Anyway, the book is one of what appears to be a series involving the former teen pop star Heather Wells who is trying to start life over without recording contracts. Add a bit of unrequited love, bankruptcy, and college life and you have a funny yet heartstrings tugging book to keep your summer time fun going strong. The story is set in New York, where the main character brings her own little dramatic history and “baggage” with her into a new job as a college residence hall assistant director. (It is funny though to see the various fictional references to locations and buildings that have a very familiar ring to them.) Many issues plague the main character including her mother running off with all her money and her big time singer boyfriend having an affair. Heather not only has to deal with overcoming her past identity, but try to build up her self esteem and face the new challenges ahead of her while trying to convince the police that the "accidental" deaths are really murders all while being a size 12.

Being a bit on the conservative side I would recommend this to high school age (16 or so) on up due to the liberal dialogue and descriptive romantic encounters. As a side note some of the backdrop brought back memories of the 80’s and silly shopping mall singing sensations like “Tiffany” and the 90’s boy bands. According to the author’s notes another in this series was released this past January and another is coming next winter. Also, Cabot lists this book for adults, but most bookstores and libraries I have seen lump it in with Young Adults.