Chubby Champ

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax, Ontario.

Charlie is an overweight 12-year-old who is teased by his
peers—especially by one girl, who intimidates him into joining her
“club.” Comprising only the girl and Charlie, the club enables her
to bully him more effectively. When Charlie quits the club, the girl and
her gang stalk and terrorize him, abusing him verbally and physically.

The term that best describes this book is mean-spirited. The author
seems to delight in thinking up the most insulting, revolting names
imaginable (“bag of blubber,” “snot-nosed scumbag,” etc.) and
using them as often as possible. The plot consists of one nasty episode
after another—stalkings, chasings, schoolyard and neighborhood fights
(there’s even a small-fry protection racket). In one particularly
despicable incident, a bag of blubber is deposited in front of
Charlie’s door.

Even the ending, which has the bully get her traditional comeuppance,
is a case of too little much too late. Not recommended.