Ben Snyder has a complicated relationship with food. Right now, there are about ten things that he will actually eat. It's more than being a picky eater, Ben physically can't eat other foods. This hasn't been a big issue, but now Ben is in Middle School and different kids are starting to notice his habits. Ben is also running for student government, finds himself liking a girl, dealing with a bully, and finding new friendships. When a three-day history field trip to a colonial camp, complete with a mandatory colonial menu arises, Ben finds himself in a dilemma. He doesn't want to be singled out, but his diet requirements put him in a predicament.
Food Fight is a middle grade book showing a very realistic view of AFRID- Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Ben was an extremely relatable character and the writing showed an excellent point of view of a sixth grader. Ben dealt with changing friendships, crushes, bullying and taking on new challenges, all of the transitions that happen in middle school along with his eating disorder. I appreciated seeing AFRID from both Ben's point of view and his parents’ point of view. To Ben, this was just how he was, he didn't want to make anyone upset or make anything more difficult, he just wanted to stick to the foods he knew he could eat. His parents were worried about his health and his social life along with how it affected those around him. I was surprised that his parents took so long to get an actual diagnosis for Ben's eating and that they didn't make accommodations for the field trip. In the end, this is a story of Ben finding confidence and comfort with himself and allowing others in.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Food Fight is a middle grade book showing a very realistic view of AFRID- Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. Ben was an extremely relatable character and the writing showed an excellent point of view of a sixth grader. Ben dealt with changing friendships, crushes, bullying and taking on new challenges, all of the transitions that happen in middle school along with his eating disorder. I appreciated seeing AFRID from both Ben's point of view and his parents’ point of view. To Ben, this was just how he was, he didn't want to make anyone upset or make anything more difficult, he just wanted to stick to the foods he knew he could eat. His parents were worried about his health and his social life along with how it affected those around him. I was surprised that his parents took so long to get an actual diagnosis for Ben's eating and that they didn't make accommodations for the field trip. In the end, this is a story of Ben finding confidence and comfort with himself and allowing others in.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
