A wonderful addition to the growing autobiographical graphic memoir list for upper elementary and middle grade readers, this one from a Mexican, Jewish, fat-positive perspective. Mercado, fictionalizes his struggle with weight due to a health issue. His protagonist, Hudi, visits a doctor who recommends that he exercise in an effort to get in shape, so his parents, particularly his athletic father, encourage him to try sports. Hudi is better at comedy than at catching a ball, or throwing a ball, or stopping a ball, or basically at anything sports related, but Hudi has a winning attitude and a willingness to try. After a few moments of sadness that he has to trade in his dreams of theater for a uniform, Hudi picks himself up and resolves to try. This is when his imaginary mascot, not imaginary friend, imaginary mascot, shows up. Chunky is there to cheer Hudi on in all of his athletic endeavors. He is also there to remind him that it’s okay to be funny and to want to pursue a dream of bright lights and easy laughs. Hudi has an indominable spirit and his lack of athletic prowess and injury-prone experiences never get him down. But when he finds a sport that he is actually good at but which compromises who he is, he alienates his biggest fan and finally understands that he has to find activities that make him happy and feed his heart even if they don’t help shrink his belly. Wonderful, bright illustrations and a funny bit about the changing posters in Hudi’s room depending on which sport he is attempting to play will engage readers and leave them chuckling. Give to fans of El Deafo, Short & Skinny, Smile, or New Kid. Cream of the Crop nominee.

Reviewed by Jill O’Connor, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth