Deirdre Riordan Hall

4.75

I loved the writing. In many uncomfortable ways I related to the main character, and this transported me back to my old town and into the skin of the teenage girl I was, the one that sometimes still lingers. I cried and laughed with these characters, and I felt attached to them, wanting them to succeed...and even fail. That is the most you can hope for in a story, for it to grip you tight and not let you go. Aside with some minor issues with how things often progressed in a one drab note show more sort of way, overall the author did a tremendous job of revealing insecurities, issues, stagnation, change and confidences without soley attributing it to another person or just a set of circumstances. Often books like these want a catalyst for change to be love, and the bridge to be burned all thier worries wrapped up neatly. Sugar is raw, its messy, its complex, and the character was a work in progress that found it in herself to progress at her own pace. I appreciate that, and it made this story a breath of fresh air. I think I found a new favorite. show less

Wow! Deirdre Riordan Hall knows how to tear down walls and make a person see a side of things that they otherwise might not. I felt the pain behind every morsel of food that Sugar scarfed down and as the story progressed I saw her as so much more than a 'fat girl'. She was emotionally and physically abused, abandoned by her father, despised by her mother, ridiculed at school, and living a loveless life. At some point, Sugar was very real to me and I fell in love with the person who she show more is.
Even (the name...uhg) changes everything just by being Sugar's friend. Their relationship evolves at a natural pace, and he turns out to need her in so many ways that she needs him. I loved that Even didn't take on helping Sugar to lose weight. He simply loved her for who she is and plays a large role in the way that Sugar would lead the rest of her life.
Holy shiz!!! There is a major emotional moment that I want to share more than I have ever wanted to share a spoiler! I can't. In fact, there is so little that I can share about the details that were pieced together so cleverly by this author. The highs and lows in Sugar's life are meant to be a surprise to the reader, but the major pivotal moment had me bawling in a way that I haven't for a book in a long time and I stayed in an emotional high through the end.
My Plea to get Sugar in Schools: Schools have a wide variety of required reading, some good, some horrible. Much of it is either their for political correctness, or missing for the same reason. Sometimes teachers bring it into the classroom because of their own personal agenda. The one thing that I think that we can all agree on is that bullying and self esteem issues are a major problem in the world that we live in, and Sugar by Deirdre Riordan Hall is a book that every school should make room for. Taking advantage of the endless discussion opportunities, there is little doubt that this book could do what anti-bullying curriculum couldn't even begin to do. show less

This book started out having me wondering if I wanted to really read it but it was worth reading. This is a book that is about Adverse Childhood Experiences. Sugar is a young woman, abused by her mother, brother, and all the kids at school. A great coming of age story of resiliency. Audio is well done.
Rating: 3.5

A heartbreaking look at child abuse - psychological, physical, neglect, etc. I hate how much this book made me feel. My only qualm was that - once again - the poor little fat girl needed to be saved by an amazing perfect newcomer. I've yet to read a book about childhood/teenage obesity where the protagonist learns to love themself through their own strength of will.