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Arielle Jaffe Grade 8, King Philip Middle School, West Hartford Dear Robert Lipsyte, "I always hated summertime. When people take off their clothes. In the winter you can hide yourself. Long coats, heavy jackets, thick sweaters. Nobody can tell how fat you really are. But in the summertime they can see your thick legs and your wobbly backside and your big belly and your soft arms. And they laugh," says Bobby Marks at the beginning of your book, One Fat Summer. I am a thirteen-year-old girl, and am out to impress with everything I have to offer, I understand. I understand what it is to be left out and made fun of. I understand what it is to be uncomfortable and hurt. And I understand this because of my weight. When the ice crystals fade to blossoming flowers I know the dreadful season is near. My concealing pants and long sleeved shirts are worn as long as it will take for people to start asking, "Ari, aren’t you really hot in that?" then I am forced to reveal my uncomfortable flabby arms and stretch marked thighs. As I stagger through the hallways with my thin peers, my legs stick together from the humidity. I feel as if all eyes are geared towards me, that all laughs are meant for my body. Why did Bobby Marks choose not to swim? For this reason precisely. Everyone stared at his embarrassing body. I learned to relate to Bobby through his emotions and thoughts. When Pete Marino jumped off the diving board and all the girls would applaud his amazing skills and body, Bobby becomes miserable and envious. As I do when the boys stare at my friends and applaud their ‘hot" figures and slender curves. Their simple nods of approval and shallow comments are enough to force my confidence to plummet. Throughout the book I felt as though the story was about me, but as a young boy named Bobby Marks instead. It was a coincidence that I began to read this book right before the summer began. As did Bobby Marks, I worked hard to feel better about myself and try to be healthier all around. Although Bobby did this unintentionally, it was the same in essence. Slowly but surely he became stronger, quicker and happier. I can’t say the same for myself, but I was trying to do Bobby Marks’ finished product, this was my goal, my hope, and most of all my dreams. Not until the end of the book did I start asking myself important questions, which were all for my benefit. All of the sudden the thoughts that overflowed mind weren’t about how unfair life was. Questions replace this void. Can I be like Bobby? If I work hard, can I make it possible? These questions were the ones that made me realize that getting thinner and feeling better about myself wasn’t about giving up, or "miracle diets". It was about actual hard work and dedication. I was going to alter my lifestyle at that moment. It was going to be tedious and difficult but I was going to give it my best shot. All because of this fictional male character, and this simple book, I became determined to work. I wanted to be like Bobby, I longed to have the confidence he had at the conclusion of the book. You, Mr. Lipsyte, gave me the motivation to fulfill my hopes and dreams, and to make an attempt at reaching my goal. Thank you, you couldn’t have offered me anymore as an author. "Someday I might go off the high board, maybe even this summer. And maybe not. Who knows? Three more weeks till Labor Day, a lot could happen. Summer isn’t over yet. I like summer. All the seasons are terrific." That is how Bobby Marks’ story ends. I hope one day that will be how mine ends too. Sincerely your reader, Arielle Jaffe
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