The Fat Boy Chronicles (23 page)

Study, study, study. That's all I've been doing. The only break I have is helping Robb study for his math final. The pressure should be off of him, since he already has a high enough grade to pass even if he chokes, but Robb says he wants to do well on the final for the principle of it. And to wave it in his father's face. “Maybe that will shut him up once and for all. I'm tired of him calling me an idiot.” His dad's always nice to me whenever I go over there—I guess he thinks I'm Robb's savior or something. Robb gets down about how his dad treats him though. He says his dad's nice to everyone but him. I think his dad worries that Robb might get mixed up with the wrong crowd or get his girlfriend pregnant, so he figures if he's hard on him about the little things, Robb will be too scared to do something really bogus (like getting a DUI or trashing his hotel). Some parents think that being overly strict makes kids turn out to be model citizens. But some psychologist I saw on
Dateline
said that kids raised with strict discipline don't turn out any better than kids who come from permissive homes. Kids just need to know that they have parents, or at least someone, willing to put them at the top of their list.

Tuesday, 6–5

What a year. I remember complaining about having to write in a journal and now I can't wait to write down what happened. Finals start tomorrow but these are due Friday, the last day of school. I want you to know that you are one of the best teachers I've ever had, and my journal really helped me make it through some tough times this year. I wish I had been writing before now, but maybe this year I was ready for something like this. Writing my thoughts on paper has made it easier for me to say things to people. Like how much I appreciate what I have and how much I love my parents and even my sister.

I'm sorry I didn't trust you in the beginning, but hey, I was a freshman who didn't know any better. If you want to read any of my other entries, that's okay. One day, I might show this to my kids, so don't throw it away, I'd like to get it back. They might get a charge out of knowing their dad was a big fat kid. And who knows, it might help them get through some things. I remember my grandfather talking about his childhood, but I was too little to really understand half of what he was saying. I wish now he had kept a journal. I bet some of what he was trying to tell me would make sense now.

Anyway, thanks, Mrs. Pope, for “freeing my muse” and “oiling my inner tin man.”

Friday, 6–8

We turn in our journals today—right after our final—and it makes me sad. I will keep writing if you want to see what I do over the summer.

Sable, Robb and me are taking Paul to see the Reds play on Friday. His doctor made arrangements for us to meet some of the players. His doctor's good friends with Johnny Bench, one of those old players from the seventies. Anyway, Mr. Bench is in the Hall of Fame for being an awesome catcher, and he came and visited Paul last week. Actually, he visited a lot of kids, which is great. I think Paul made a good impression on him, and that's why Mr. Bench gave Paul free tickets to the game. We have seats right behind home plate and get to wheel Paul through the VIP entrance so he doesn't have to fight the stairs or the crowds. Paul's pretty excited about the whole thing.

Before I go up to see Paul, there's something I have to do. There's a little bald–headed kid on the third floor I need to say “hey” to. I want to tell him to hang in there, because the world's a pretty good place, after all.

Thanks for everything.

Your student,

We are in the midst of an obesity epidemic the likes of which the world has never seen. In the U.S., more than two thirds of adults are obese or overweight, while about a third of all children suffer with a weight problem. What is fascinating though is that we see nearly the same proportion (about 5%) of adults and kids experiencing extreme obesity. For that extremely obese group, the adverse social and medical impacts of the disease are far more poignantly felt. In
The Fat Boy Chronicles
, Buchanan and Lang take the reader vividly into the day–to–day life of an extremely obese teenager who chooses to fight back against the all–too–common abuse, defeat, sadness, neglect, and ridicule facing kids with a weight problem. The extraordinary aspect of this story is how we (and the teen) arrive at a certain peaceful calm after a raging battle. Set in Cincinnati, Ohio, the authors demonstrate the magnitude and power of the social stigmatism, isolation, peer confrontation, and inner conflict experienced by millions of American teens of today who are just like Jimmy Winterpock.

Due to the complex nature of obesity we should not be surprised that there is not a clear one–size–fits–all answer to reverse it. For those suffering with obesity, weight loss is a challenge, but the battle is winnable. Just ask Jimmy Winterpock. While his solution may or may not be the answer for others, motivation for change is paramount. What is known is that it takes time, education, a lot of effort, and
teamwork by the family. Sometimes it takes the advice of doctors to help with the medical and physiological complexities. And for years to come, it will take advocacy, a voice in government, and greater research efforts to overcome the weight and health problems facing a large proportion of our nation. The good news is that these efforts may be working—at least for some groups. According to a 2008 report from the Centers for Disease Control, there may finally be an improvement in rates of obesity in Whites in the U.S. Even so, that is still not enough. We want to see reversal of obesity numbers for all races and ethnic groups of kids and adults alike before declaring that the problem is turning around. We need to keep the pressure and advocacy on point. In this regard, thanks to Jimmy, Michael Buchanan, and Diane Lang.

Thomas H. Inge, MD, PhD

Director of the Comprehensive Weight Management Program

Director of the Teen Longitude Assessment of Bariatric Surgery

Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

www.cincinnatichildrens.org/weight

The authors of
The Fat Boy Chronicles
are deeply grateful to our friends and family who offered invaluable critical reaction to this novel in its many stages, and we are humbled by the generosity of their collective response.

Brad Baker and Morgan Eurek filtered Jimmy's world for teen authenticity, while George Weinstein, Mark All and Kathleen Boehmig provided support from the Four Elements.

Chattahoochee High's students and staff offered their heartfelt confidence in our work, and Northview High School offered the use of its hallway for the cover.

We are exceedingly grateful to Dr. Thomas Inge for his honest and meaningful afterword. His devotion to solving the teen obesity problem is vital to the future of America.

And, we are honored to have Doug Hennig as our inspiration. Without him, Jimmy Winterpock and his journal would not exist. Doug's ability to lose excess pounds against insurmountable odds offers hope to all those who struggle with their weight.

We feel gratitude beyond what we can articulate to Bonnie and David Buchanan, Michael Buchanan's adventuresome and awesome parents; and to Don Lang, Diane Lang's life partner, and Diane's children, Amy and Donnie Lang, and Sarah and Chris Bollman, who helped make her writing life possible.

Finally, we are indebted to Keith Washington and Jason Winn for their loyalty, their patient trust, and their passionate response to our work.

Authors Diane Lang and Michael Buchanan have used their experience as high school teachers to write
The Fat Boy Chronicles.
Named Teachers of the Year, nominated for Disney Teacher Awards, and featured in USA Today for creativity in the classroom, their ability to communicate to students is evident. Other works by Buchanan and Lang include the novel
Micah's Child
and screenplay
Treasure of the Four Lions
.

The Fat Boy Chronicles
is a story told with humor and true insight into the world of an overweight adolescent. It reminds the reader of the real pains and joys of teenage life. Jimmy's honest, straightforward journal entries make for a revealing, yet entertaining read. He is an amazing hero.

— Melinda Long, New York Times #1 Bestselling Author of
How I Became a Pirate
and
Pirates Don't Change Diapers

It's rare a voice comes along in literature that speaks to teenagers in their own words. Buchanan and Lang do just that with uncanny precision, taking us on a rollercoaster ride of the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, inner thoughts and insecurities to which the teen in all of us can relate.

—Michael Lucker, Screenwriter of
Spirit, Home on the Range, Mulan II,
Emperor's New Groove 2, Lilo & Stich 2, 101 Dalmations II

Many teenagers experience painful personal dramas during their time in high school with periods of confusion and self–doubt. For overweight kids like Jimmy, these challenges are added on top of the discrimination that he faces based only on what he looks like and not on who he is. How great that Jimmy can find his own strength from the inside out!

—Beth Passehl, MS, CPT, RYA
Family Wellness Coach

I laughed aloud by page three and had tears streaming down my face not too many pages after. Jimmy Winterpock could have been one of the many hundreds of young people I listened to over the years as a school counselor.
The Fat Boy Chronicles
should be in the hands of every educator, parent, and middle and high school student across this nation. Buchanan and Lang—the authors of
Micah's Child
—hit home with this remarkable work.

—Jo Ann G. Swafford, Ed. S.
Retired Teacher and Two–time Counselor of the Year

The Fat Boys Chronicles
is a dynamic book. Jimmy Winterpock's story inspires all of us to openly talk with our children about health concerns. This novel is a must for high school teachers and students.

—Randee Nagler, Area Superintendent, Fulton County School System

A great story. What's on the inside is important. It's a great book for health classes across America. Jimmy is on the bandwagon to fight obesity and for others to see the real person he is.

—Stephanye I. Peek, President–Elect, Georgia Association for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

The Fat Boy Chronicles
rings true from the first paragraph to the last. Jimmy Winterpock—your hilarious and hurting teenage hero—gets your attention immediately with his sharp sense of humor and guarded vulnerability. Buchanan and Lang's instincts as teachers and writers make Jimmy's journal, and his journey, pitch–perfect.

—George Weinstein, Author of Jake and the Tiger Flight

Jimmy Winterpock is every teenager. Every adolescent has felt like Jimmy at some point during this tumultuous time. The difference is that Jimmy has one of the worst stigmata of adolescence—being extremely overweight. He faces ridicule and humiliation by his peers, and ignorance and apathy from his teachers.

But Jimmy did a remarkable thing. With a nudge from his doctor and the support of family and friends, he found the courage to change his life. And soon after, he began to lose weight. Not through temporary diets but with slow persistence, good nutrition and exercise. In other words, his new lifestyle helped him achieve his goal. Jimmy is an inspiration to anyone who wants to make a positive change in his or her life.

—Mark Wulkan, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics,
Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

To review other titles and downloadable teachers' guides
go to:
www.sleepingbearpress.com
.