Massive

A shocking, moving, bittersweet novel about all kinds of nourishment and the lack of it. Weight is a big issue in Carmen's life not surprising when her mother is obsessed with dieting and is determined that her daughter will be thin. But with a long list of failed diets behind her and a mountain of empty wrappers under the bed, Carmen knows the comfort of forbidden food. Swept off to Birmingham by her mum, Carmen finds her old life disappearing her home, her friends and her father. With everything to gain and nothing to lose, Carmen starts to ask: if she were thin, very thin, could it all be different? Julia Bell used to be a DJ before 'becoming a proper person and getting a job'. She is now a writer, editor and tutor based at the University of East Anglia where she has also established Pen & Inc, a small press. Her first critically-acclaimed novel for teenagers, MASSIVE, described by J17 as 'big, bold and brave', was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award.