Rebel with a Cupcake

by Anna Mainwaring

Overview

Does popularity only come in one size? Jesobel Jones says what she wants and eats what she wants — she is who she is, no regrets. But when a wardrobe malfunction leads to a mortifying encounter with a mean girl, Jess’s confidence suddenly takes a nosedive. Being fat has never bothered her before, but Jess starts to wonder if she’s been just a little too comfortable in her own skin. When the boy of her dreams seems suddenly interested, Jess must decide whether to try to fit in or remain true to herself — whoever that is. This bold and hilarious debut novel speaks with authority and compassion about teen life as it’s lived right now.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781525300660
Publisher:	Kids Can Press
Publication date:	04/03/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Anna Mainwaring's debut novel is Rebel with a Cupcake. She lives in Manchester, England, with her family.

Editorial Reviews

For a contemporary, enjoyable, and relatable novel for all teens, this one is a must-read.—School Library Journal

Mainwaring has an ear for dialogue and a terrific sense of humor that shines through every page while lending the unique characters a great deal of dignity.—Booklist

Hilarious and heartfelt.—Kirkus Reviews

... a sweet but still valid message of the beauty of friendship and acceptance.—CM Magazine

... a comedy of errors that creates laugh-out- loud moments and understandable teenage angst.—Resource Links

From the Publisher

02/01/2018
Gr 9 Up—High schooler Jesobel Jones begins her story on Own Clothes Day at School—the exciting, or dreaded day, depending on who you are. She gets ready with her friends, experimenting in her own style, but soon starts to consider her public persona vs. her self-image and whether or not her love for cooking, baking, and all things food is affecting her social status. On this infamous day in school, Jess starts out with a mishap with the school bully and ends with a party invitation by her crush. The story follows Jess and her journey from fitting in to her ultimate self-discovery, all the while learning some lessons about family, friendship, love, and being herself. This fun read is told from the perspective of Jess—an engaging and easily relatable narrator. Mainwaring has captured what it's like to be a teenager and brings about all the feelings about being in high school—the hopes, the fears, and everything in between. VERDICT For a contemporary, enjoyable, and relatable novel for all teens, this one is a must-read.—Caitlin Wilson, Meadowdale Library, North Chesterfield, VA

School Library Journal

2018-02-05
Jesobel "Jess" Jones is fat and (most days) she doesn't hate her body. She loves food, and she's never asked, "Do I look fat in this?"Then her mega-crush invites her to a party. Jess' mother has just given her the perfect dress, but there's a problem: It's a size too small. However, if Jess wants to impress Matt, she'll have to lose a little weight—something she's always scoffed at other girls for doing (both Manchester, England, teens are white). Jess makes a few changes to her diet and exercise, and after three weeks of hunger and all-around grumpiness, she loses an unspecified amount of weight and fits into the dress just in time to be rebuffed by Matt for one of the thin bullies from their all-girls' school. Sadly, this is where the plot falls into the maturity-through-weight-loss hole. After Jess sheds some pounds, she realizes that a boy who would choose a skinny mean girl over a nice fat girl is a loser. But will the sadder-but-wiser Jess find a boy who appreciates her as she is? Jess is lovably snarky and astute: Each chapter is preceded by one of her observations about being a girl which highlight and question the ironies, contradictions, and double standards affecting young women in Western society. Hilarious and heartfelt. (Fiction. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews