Fat Boy Swim

by Catherine Forde (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2003

  $3.39

  Fourteen-year-old Jimmy Kelly is Fat Boy Fat, the largest kid in his Scottish community, who' s made to feel useless at everything. Only his family knows he' s a whiz in the kitchen, and Jimmy is determined to keep it that way.So when GI Joe, the toughest coach at school, finds out his secret, Jimmy is sure he' s doomed. But Coach proposes a deal: If Jimmy helps him, Coach will help Jimmy to swim. He knows there' s more to Jimmy than meets the eye. Now it' s time for Jimmy to stop hiding and realize it himself.

• Used

  Paperback
  2012

  $3.39

  'Powerful, empowering... crackles with teenage anger and pain' - The Times

  From award-winning author, Catherine Forde, comes Fat Boy Swim, a story that will make you realise that anything is possible.

  Jimmy Kelly is fat. Lardy. Ginormous. Clinically obese. Inside, Jimmy doesn't feel like Smelly Kelly, Fat Boy Fat. He's just normal. His bedroom's a pit. His feet stink. He hates getting up on school mornings. If any of his classmates bothered to talk to him, instead of slagging him off, they'd find he was just as clued up as they were on films, on books, on telly, even on sport. But he wouldn't tell them that his secret talent is cooking. And Jimmy has another secret that even he doesn't know yet. A secret that will change him forever.

  Catherine Forde - author of Sugarcoated, Skarrs and Firestarter returns with a brilliant, bittersweet story of first love, forgiveness and a family coming to terms with the past. A gripping, emotive and insightful book for young adults. Perfect for readers who enjoyed Judy Blume's Blubber and fans of Annabelle Pitcher.

  Should be force-fed to every secondary school child in the country - The Sunday Telegraph

  This is a moving, tumultuous, roller-coaster, acid-etched story (with) a galaxy of distinctive, memorable characters - Bookseller

  Catherine Forde was discovered on the slush pile. Before turning to writing full time, she worked as a lexicographer for Collins and taught in secondary schools. She lives in Glasgow with her husband and two sons. All her books have received wide acclaim and Fat Boy Swim won the Grampian Children's Book Award and was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Award and Booktrust Teenage Prize.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2004

  $3.39

  What's the hook?

  A humorous novel driven with gritty realism and thrilling imagination. The good mix of girl and boy characters make this book great for whole class work.

  What are the themes?

  Social issues such as bullying, self-image and confidence make Fat Boy Swim suitable for cross-curricular use in PSHE

  Teaching points?

  Scottish setting and the use of Scottish dialect expressions make it ideal for exploring dialect and cultural diversity.