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Taking Up Space Hardcover – May 18, 2021

by Alyson Gerber (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 72 ratings
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From beloved author Alyson Gerber comes another realistic contemporary novel perfect for fans of Judy Blume. 

Sarah loves basketball more than anything. Crushing it on the court makes her feel like she matters. And it's the only thing that helps her ignore how much it hurts when her mom forgets to feed her.
But lately Sarah can't even play basketball right. She's slower now and missing shots she should be able to make. Her body doesn't feel like it's her own anymore. She's worried that changing herself back to how she used to be is the only way she can take control over what's happening.

When Sarah's crush asks her to be partners in a cooking competition, she feels pulled in a million directions. She'll have to dig deep to stand up for what she needs at home, be honest with her best friends, and accept that she doesn't need to change to feel good about herself.

Booklist described Gerber's novels in starred reviews as both "highly empathetic" and "truly inspiring." Taking Up Space promises to be a realistic and compelling story about struggling with body image and learning that true self-esteem comes from within.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    272 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    690L
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  7. Publisher
    Scholastic Press
  8. Publication date
    May 18, 2021
  9. ISBN-10
    1338186000
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1338186000
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

Play by your own rules
Alyson Gerber books

Editorial Reviews

Review

A middle grade novel that is changing conversations about self-worth, body image, and food for a new generation.

'Thoughtful and powerful' - The New York Times Book Review

"Gerber portrays Sarah's bodily discomfort and eating disorder with realism and compassion, highlighting both her desire to be healthy and her denial when things move beyond her control... This affirming novel offers a normalizing message about
discussing body image and mental health." - Publishers Weekly

"A positive representation of constructive approaches to an often misunderstood condition... Pragmatic and valuable." - Kirkus Reviews

"A well-developed narrative...this is both informative and entertaining, especially for younger teens." - Booklist

Awards and Praise for Taking Up Space:
Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award Nominee
Ohio Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award Nominee
Oklahoma Library Association's Book Award Nominee
Denver Public Library's Favorite Kids' Books of the Year
Imagination Soup's Best Chapter Book + Middle Grade Books of the Year
A Mighty Girl's Books of the Year
#ReadThisNow Best Books of of the Year
Library Services Centre (LSC) Juvenile Notable

Awards and Praise for Focused:
3 Starred Reviews
Today Show Best Kids' Books of 2019
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2019
A Mighty Girl's 2019 Books of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
TD Summer Reading Club Top Recommended Reads 2020
Austin Public Library's Best Middle Grade Fiction of 2019
The Children's Book Review Best Kids Books from 2019, So Far
Rhode Island Middle School Book Award Nominee
Oklahoma Library Association's Book Award Nominee
Michigan Library Association's Book Award Nominee
Booklist Top 10 Health & Wellness for Youth, 2020

Awards and Honors for Braced:
3 Starred Reviews
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Oklahoma Library Association's Sequoyah Book Award Nominee
Indiana Library Federation's Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee
New Hampshire Library Association's Teen Read Award Nominee
Virginia State Reading Association's Virginia Readers' Choice Nominee
South Dakota State Library's Teen Choice Book Award Nominee
Booklist Top 10 Books for Youth, Sports
Booklist Lasting Connections, Language Arts

About the Author

Alyson Gerber is the author of critically-acclaimed novels BRACED, FOCUSED, and TAKING UP SPACE published by Scholastic. Her books have five starred reviews between them, have been nominated for nine state book awards, and are all Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections. Alyson's new middle grade mystery series, THE EMMETT SOCIETY, pitched as GOSSIP GIRL meets THE BABY-SITTERS' CLUB set at an elite New England prep school, is coming soon. Alyson has an MFA in Writing for Children and lives in New York City with her family. Visit her at alysongerber.com and find her everywhere else @alysongerber.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic Press (May 18, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1338186000
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1338186000
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 690L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 72 ratings

About the author

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Alyson Gerber

Alyson Gerber

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Alyson Gerber is the author of The Liars Society series and the critically acclaimed novels Focused, Braced, and Taking Up Space. A former marketing director, Alyson earned her MFA in creative writing at the New School. She grew up in New England and now lives in New York City with her family. Follow her @AlysonGerber and at alysongerber.com

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
72 global ratings
Must-read, amazing book for tweens + adults!!!
5 Stars
Must-read, amazing book for tweens + adults!!!
I finished Taking Up Space by Alyson Gerber in one day and WOW, it is an AMAZING middle grade novel that is going to change lives for the better. Beautifully written, this is an emotional and inspiring story about self-esteem, body image, food, cooking, basketball, friends and family based on Alyson’s own struggles with disordered eating.This book actually started my own personal deep dive into the disordered eating, body-obsessed, diet-culture in which we live, including my own thoughts, and watching my teens experience this culture in their own lives. It has been quite the eye-opening journey as I try to unravel the years of my own disordered ideas and those of other adults in my life. I am so thankful that Alyson has created this story for kids as a window & a mirror and I sure do hope every grown up who interacts with kids reads this one.Plot: The story follows middle schooler Sarah who loves basketball, but she starts struggling on the court as her body goes through changes. Sarah tries to take matters in her own hands based on food trauma she has learned at home. Luckily, she has some old and new friends, her dad, teachers and her coach supporting her as she learns that eating and cooking can be pleasurable, that all bodies are wonderful and how to stand up for herself.This is must-read for middle graders and the parents who know them, and a must-have for all classroom and school libraries. Order your copy pronto.
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Top reviews from the United States

Janet
5.0 out of 5 stars Love love love this book
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
I LOVE THIS BOOK

Not just for my daughter, but for myself. The author has explored a subject that is so important and relevant to all girls. Not just for girls now but also for all women who had gone through this.

Body image, self confidence, dealing with body changes, relationship with foods, relationship with friends - these are topics all girls go through at that age, and it is a hard, somewhat secretive and lonely journey.

I had to pause a few times while reading this book because it reminded me so much of my own experience, it speaks to the thoughts and experiences I had when I was that age.

This book is a MUST read for all parents who have daughters and I cannot wait till my daughter is a little older (she is under 10 now) to share this with her.
3 people found this helpful
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Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Taking Up Space
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
I listened to Taking Up Space as an audiobook (my first full audiobook!). It's wonderful. This book is a must-read. I can't imagine being Sarah's age, dealing with all the regular stresses of being in middle school and being an athlete, and on top of that, dealing with disordered eating. This was hard to listen to at times because of the way some of the characters behaved, but it's definitely an important topic and shouldn't be ignored.
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Ariel • The Book View
4.0 out of 5 stars Honest and Enlightening
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021
This honest and necessary middle-grade novel gives a good look into the mind of kids who suffer from mental health issues and how our words/actions can affect them.

This book is a very emotional read. It's different from most other middle-grade novels I've read because of the strong emotions it emits, but also because it deals with some heavy issues. It discusses mental health/eating disorders, body image, and relationships, mostly familial. It is a great read for both youth and adult and I think will have a lasting impact on its readers.

Gerber discussed these difficult subjects very well. She took them seriously and taught the necessary lessons while truly having our main character, Sarah, live through these trials. Sarah is only 12 so we're seeing these issues through her young eyes and it's very enlightening. I especially love how Gerber pointed out the effects people have on one another. Many of Sarah's emotions and some of her hardships were direct results of her relationships with her family and friends. Some were supportive. Others were contributing to the problem. Gerber did a great job of pointing out these issues and handling them in a sensitive manner.

Even as an adult, I was left feeling uplifted and enlightened with a new sense of encouragement and love. We all matter and deserve to be loved by those around us. Gerber especially expressed this in her author letter, but even without that, I felt that message in Sarah's story.

Overall, this is an incredible story that deserves to be discussed everywhere. I think Sarah's story can help both youth and adults everywhere to learn more about eating disorders, and body image, and loving unconditionally. I'm excited to share this book with some friends.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
2 people found this helpful
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Sumner Brooks
5.0 out of 5 stars Such an important book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
As a clinical eating disorder specialist, I absolutely loved and would recommend this book. Yes, it's a great read for middle-aged readers, helping them to know that they're not alone in struggles with food and body - but it is also a phenomenal read for parents to help them understand how influential parental behaviors can be on a young person.
2 people found this helpful
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Chris Gonza
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a book for everyone. Deals with the issues of body image and confidence in the best of ways. Alyson Gerber is a masterful storyteller!
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R001
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for kids today
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2021
Wow.

I have previously enjoyed Alyson Gerber's other middle grade books (Braced and Focused), but I think Taking Up Space is her best one yet.

Sarah is in 7th grade and her body is changing after she gets her period. She loves to play basketball and hang out with her friends, but soon she feels she is slower on the court and slowing her friends down. After a health class handout explores "healthy foods", Sarah decides she is going to follow the rules. Meanwhile, her crush Benny is her partner for a cooking YouTube competition, and one of her best friends doesn't like that (she likes him too!). At. home, Sarah's mom sometimes forgets to leave food for Sarah to eat when she gets home (especially if Sarah's dad is away on business trips) and talks heavily about health, "good for you" foods and cooks "healthily". This makes following the food rules easier for Sarah. But when things go too far and Sarah falls on the basketball court during a game, Sarah has to take a hard look at who she wants to be and what she wants to put in her body.

I loved this book. It was easy to read and easy to relate to. Alyson Gerber manages to talk about disordered eating (and mentions of anorexia recovery for another character's sister) without talking about weight, calorie counting or anything that may be triggering - or possibly a tool - for kids (and adults alike!). I was super impressed. Sarah and her friends felt like real 7th graders - a little young, but also trying to be very, very mature and grown up. I liked that Sarah had a good friend group, worked friend troubles out, and had a supportive family (even if things were confusing at home). Her mom and dad were willing to listen to Sarah's school counselor and even go to therapy. Props to Alyson Gerber for showing us flawed adults who are willing to do better for their kids. Props to Sarah's friend group, who don't allow this to go too far and are willing to make sure she gets the help she needs.

This is a must read for kids today.
2 people found this helpful
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