A lonely obese boy everyone calls "Butter" is about to make history. He is going to eat himself to death-live on the Internet-and everyone is invited to watch. When he first makes the announcement online to his classmates, Butter expects pity, insults, and possibly sheer indifference. What he gets are morbid cheerleaders rallying around his deadly plan. Yet as their dark encouragement grows, it begins to feel a lot like popularity. And that feels good. But what happens when Butter reaches his suicide deadline? Can he live with the fallout if he doesn't go through with his plans?
Bullying is a topic all too familiar and important topic in schools today. It's always been there, it's just that today, in this instant access to everything world, it's easier to do it, and harder to hide from it.
Butter doesn't realize he's being bullied. He doesn't realize that his eating disorder is his coping mechanism. Yes, eating disorder--bulimia and anorexia, while getting more air-time aren't the only disorders out there.
I found myself alternately wanting to laugh and to cry with/for Butter. He hides behind a persona he designed to be attractive, he only has friends when he announces he will kill himself, publicly. Even his mother is inadvertently bullying him, because he knows she doesn't feel loved when he doesn't eat the food she puts in front of him. What a sad existence.
This is one of those important books that will hit shelves and be picked up because it sounds interesting. People will think it's unbelievable, despite being so compelling written. Really, what boy would kill himself because of his weight?
Really?
By the way...bullying is very serious. Visit Stop Bullying for more information.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Bloomsbury Children's Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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