Potter, E. (2009). Slob. New York: Philomel Books.
199 pages
Ages 9-12
Plot:
Owen Birnbaum is a 13 year old boy who is of beyond average intelligence and also weight. This makes him misunderstood by his peers. This first person account follows him through a year of struggling as he attempts to build a machine, Nemesis, that will allow him to watch surveillance footage of an event from years prior. An event that forever changed his life: the murder of his parents in their deli shop while he and his sister listened helplessly below. With the help of his sister, "Jeremy" who too is struggling with the loss of her parents and establishing an identity, his hot-dog vendor friend, Nima, and his once-thought-to-be-enemy, he is able to regain control of his life by letting go of trying to control the past. He learns to accept the life he's been given, to stand up for himself and those he cares about, and to make the best of what he's been given, which is a new life full of wonderful people who care about him.
My Impressions:
I was surprised by the depth of this book. From the title and the cover, I had expected a tale of a kid who was struggling with bullying from not fitting in at school. And while this is the case, this is only a small part of it. Owen's story deals with the sudden and tragic loss of his parents, gender issues and issues of self-esteem as well, all in a very genuine, touching and at times even funny manner. I really appreciated how dimensional and fully-formed the story and especially the characters were. I think it discusses many issues that may not be the most common for the everyday teenager to relate to at a one to one level, but the broad context of the book deals with learning to be comfortable with oneself and accept that which is beyond their ability to control. And that I think is an important message for all young adults today.
Reviews:
Review by Elaine E. Knight - School Library Journal
Owen is the fattest-and smartest-seventh grader in his New York City school. When he's not ducking the school bully or trying to survive the world's most sadistic P.E. teacher, he invents things. Currently Owen has two projects-a TV that will show events in the past and a trap to catch the thief who keeps stealing the Oreos from his lunchbox. There's a lot of middle school banter and adolescent dialogue. However, what begins as a lighthearted adventure gradually takes on a darker tone. Owen calls his invention Nemesis and insists that it needs to reach exactly two years back. As the story evolves, readers learn that there are places in town where he feels distinctly uncomfortable, and that he treasures a note that says only "SLOB." Step by step, Owen reveals the tragedy behind his concerns. Two years earlier, he was hiding in the basement of the family store, listening as his parents were killed by an intruder. Adopted by the 911 operator who took his call after the murders, he dreams of identifying the perpetrator. Although Nemesis fails to solve the crime, Owen is finally able to find closure, with help from his sister, their friends, and, surprisingly, from the dreaded bully himself. A sensitive, touching, and sometimes heartbreakingly funny picture of middle school life.
Knight, E. E. (2009). Slob. School Library Journal, 55(7), 90.
A Kirkus Review of SLOB
An intriguingly offbeat mystery concerning the theft of cookies from a boy's lunch, at turns humorous, suspenseful and poignant. Intelligent Owen is the fattest kid in his middle school, having packed on the pounds after a major upheaval in his life caused him to begin turning to food as a source of comfort. His younger sister, who has joined up with a group at school called Girls Who Are Boys (GWAB) and taken to insisting that others call her Jeremy, coped by growing tougher. Owen, on the other hand, has become an object of ridicule due to his weight. While the Oreo heist provides the main premise for Owen to engage with other kids at school, there are a number of secondary mysteries crafted alongside it, each of them raising unexpected questions that are neatly wrapped up by the novel's end. While some readers may balk at some of its more convenient coincidences, fans of Jerry Spinelli and others of his ilk may especially enjoy it and will be held rapt.
SLOB. (2009). Kirkus Reviews, 77(8), 447.
Library Suggestions:
This book would be good among a display collection of books about contemporary issues for middle school aged children. It tackles some very deep and real issues that are representative of this age group today and might be a good resource for providing guidance to parental loss or sexual identity issues.
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