The beginning of the year might be the most detrimental to body positivity. After all, it’s “new year, new you,” right? According to ABC News, 38% of resolutions are about losing weight. Don’t get me wrong; making healthier choices is always a positive thing. But the constant onslaught of being told to lose weight can really bring you down–especially if you don’t fit that image.
Cue body positive young adult books! The publication of these stories has been on a rise lately, huzzah! There are lots of teenage role models in YA books that feature characters that may struggle with self-esteem issues, but they’re not forced to change by the end of the novel. And that’s a refreshing concept.
The positive body images shown in the following YA books can provide excellent inspiration as you make your own resolutions (if you’re into that kind of thing). Instead of striving to be skinnier, strive to be happier and healthier.
Body Positivity in YA Books
The Universe is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler
The sequel to The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, we pick up once again with Virginia Shreves. This time, she’s fallen for a boy. But there’s something keeping them apart. Something big. Virginia struggles with balancing her parents’ expectations and her relationship with her brother. But she’s not forced to change in the story, and that’s an important message for teenage readers.
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Park falls in love with Eleanor because of her body. She moves from being mocked for her appearance to being loved for it, without changing a thing about it. Because you should be loved how you are, and you should never have to change in order to feel that love.
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Leah also struggles with self-esteem issues throughout the novel, but her ultimate goal isn’t to lose weight. She’s more worried about the fact that her and her friends are going completely different directions next year when they go to college, and she’s not really ready for new ones. Not yet.
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
Dumplin’ is now a Netflix movie (which I’ve heard good things about!), so why not pick up the book before watching the movie? Willowdean has always felt at home in her body, which isn’t something that many girls can say. She enters a beauty pageant to show that she deserves to be there just as much as everyone else.
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero
Quintero chronicles Gabi’s last year of high school in this book of her diary entries, showing her struggles with culture, addiction, and many more complex issues. Gabi is 100% relatable and 100% exudes body positivity.
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