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To Be Honest Hardcover – August 21, 2018
| Maggie Ann Martin (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
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An NPR Best YA Book of 2018
The author of The Big F is back with another snappy, utterly relatable contemporary novel about loving yourself and forging your own path.
Savannah is dreading being home alone with her overbearing mother after her big sister―and best friend―goes off to college. But if she can just get through senior year, she'll be able to escape to college, too. What she doesn't count on is that her mother's obsession with weight has only grown deeper since her appearance on an extreme weight-loss show, and now Savvy's mom is pressuring her even harder to be constantly mindful of what she eats.
Between her mom's diet-helicoptering, missing her sister, and worrying about her collegiate future, Savvy has enough to worry about. And then she meets George, the cute new kid at school who has insecurities of his own. As Savvy and George grow closer, they help each other discover how to live in the moment and enjoy the here and now before it disappears.
To Be Honest is another sharp, witty novel from Maggie Ann Martin, about a spunky heroine who is dealing with very real issues―body image, parental pressure, loneliness, first love, and finding your way―with heart and humor.
Praise for To Be Honest:
"Savvy’s story is a welcome one in today’s YA market and will help spread a much-needed message to teens about parental mental health issues and the potential dangers of diet culture." ―School Library Journal, starred review
"I love that the book, itself, is not obsessed with its plus-size main character. ... It's a shame that books like this are so few and far between." ―NPR
"To Be Honest captures the struggle to be proud of who you are and to find the courage to live boldly, no matter your shape or size ... For fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Dumplin’." ―GERM Magazine
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSwoon Reads
- Publication dateAugust 21, 2018
- Grade level7 - 9
- Reading age13 - 18 years
- Dimensions5.7 x 1.11 x 8.81 inches
- ISBN-101250183154
- ISBN-13978-1250183156
- Lexile measure830L
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From the Publisher
Q: What does body positivity mean to you?
A: To me, body positivity is accepting yourself and those around you without judgement on their physical form. It’s a rebellion in the face of those who wish to police the way you dress, feel, or generally live happy life because of your physical body.
Q: How did your own experiences influence Savannah’s story?
A: Savannah is at a very different spot in her journey to self-acceptance at age seventeen than I was at age seventeen. The strength to continuing to be her true self in the face of her mother’s constant pestering is a strength that I only recently found in myself. Growing up, I harbored a lot of internal shame for my body. I gravitated towards clothes that would help me fade into the background, and was never incredibly vocal about my thoughts or opinions. It wasn’t until I went to college and discovered a community of plus-sized bloggers and YouTubers that would speak candidly about their journeys to self-love that I saw myself represented positively in the media. And then, I had the pleasure of meeting wonderful, honest fat women and men who were unabashedly themselves. It was a kind of empowerment that I’d never felt in my own body.
With Savannah’s character, I wanted to reflect someone who was just on the cusp of this self-discovery. Someone who had already decided that she was happy with herself, but was still trying to figure out how to completely commit to that self-love in different environments she was faced with. I didn't want Savannah to be perfect. Everyone has their moments of self doubt. But at her core, she is confidently herself, and I really wanted that to come across on the page.
Q: What do you hope teen readers will take away from To Be Honest?
A: I hope that teen readers will be able to walk away from reading To Be Honest and realize that their opinion and their truth is the most important. No matter who might negate how you feel, even if it is your mother, you are still allowed to be confident in your own skin.
Q: The cover of To Be Honest resonated so strongly online. What was/is your reaction to seeing a plus-size model front and center on a book cover?
A: My initial reaction when I first saw the cover was instant happy tears. Having a plus-sized model on the front of my book was beyond my wildest dreams.
I think the cover resonates so strongly with people because the model is fearlessly fat and confident. Also, the fact that she’s a real-life actual person is pretty unique. Most books with fat characters on the cover are in illustrated form, but we get to see Savannah in the flesh on this cover.
Q: Did you have a hard time balancing Savannah’s romance with her journey of self-discovery? Why or why not?
A: I think they go hand in hand. George plays a big part in making Savannah feel normal around the subject of her mom, and in turn, makes Savannah feel more comfortable about standing up to her and not taking her mom's opinion as governing law over her body and happiness.
Q: Savannah’s mother and her views on body image have a huge presence in To Be Honest. What do you hope parents who read your book learn from Savannah and her mother’s relationship?
A: I hope parents can read this book and realize just how much every little comment on someone's physical appearance (let alone comments about their own child) can affect them. If your child is happy with who they are and how they look, you should support and celebrate that. I believe that is the biggest and brightest way to show someone that you love them. I also hope that parents who might have had a similar experience to Savannah growing up, having a parental figure that obsessed about their weight, can recognize that pain from their past and want to do better by their own kids.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Praise for To Be Honest:
An NPR Best YA Book of 2018
"The portrayal of Savvy’s mother’s eating disorder is sensitive and will resonate strongly with readers close to this issue. ... Savvy’s story is a welcome one in today’s YA market and will help spread a much-needed message to teens about parental mental health issues and the potential dangers of diet culture. A first purchase for libraries serving adolescents." ―School Library Journal, starred review
"I cannot tell you how incredibly refreshing this is! I love that the book, itself, is not obsessed with its plus-size main character. Maggie Ann Martin actually allows us to look past Savvy's weight into other aspects of her life, and it's a shame that books like this are so few and far between." ―NPR
"To Be Honest captures the struggle to be proud of who you are and to find the courage to live boldly, no matter your shape or size, an idea that is wonderful to see presented to teen audiences. For fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Dumplin’, Maggie Ann Martin’s latest is sure to please both teens and adults alike who are in search of a moving and heartwarming story." ―GERM Magazine
"This summer read tackles difficult subjects―anxiety and mental health, eating disorders, and more―while still keeping it a light and fun story about all kinds of love: parental, sibling, friendship, romantic, and most importantly, loving yourself." ―Bustle
"To Be Honest by Maggie Ann Martin took my emotions on a joyride and didn’t let them off until the very end. More and more Young Adult novels are featuring serious themes even though it’s not the focus of the book and I absolutely love it. If this story sounds like your cup of tea, I highly recommend picking it up." ―The Young Folks
"This is a super sweet novel that’s surprisingly lighthearted despite some of the pretty serious issues dealt with throughout (eating disorders, living with anxiety, complicated family dynamics, etc.). ... Savvy is unerringly body positive (with some occasional moments of insecurity, just like anyone)." ―Book Riot
"To Be Honest breaks down the ways criticism masked as concern can be so harmful to young women. And it’s an empowering reminder to love our bodies, regardless of size." ―HelloGiggles
"Unapologetically promotes healthy body image and love for oneself. Savvy and her mother provide the reader with diametrically opposed perspectives concerning the psychological impact of body shaming: Savvy possesses a strong, positive image while her mother derives self-worth from a scale. ... Educators and librarians seeking literature that resonates with female readers who struggle with body image will want to add this novel to their shelves." ―VOYA
"To be honest...we loved the latest novel by Maggie Ann Martin! ... With her [Savannah], Martin has created a beautifully rendered portrait of a high school senior. She feels real and interesting, and like someone who you’d definitely want to drive around blasting Eminem with, if only because that’s her favorite past time!" ―Hypable
"A refreshing YA contemporary novel that wrestles with self-love, anxiety, and family. ... I would imagine people who loved Leah on the Offbeat, The Upside of Unrequited, or Turtles All the Way Down will also love this novel." ―Better Books and Other Things
"I freaking adore this book! To Be Honest is the most honest young adult contemporary novel I have read in a while ... this book is worth every penny." ―It's A Book Life
"This book was impossible to put down from the moment I started reading, and I flew through it so quickly that I could honestly read it again ... I'm so thankful to Maggie Ann Martin for writing this fantastic book and to Swoon Reads for publishing it!" ―My Endless Shelf
"To Be Honesthad me laughing and I even shed a few tears. Savannah is such a smart and strong character who is doing her best to love her body." ―The Book Dutchesses
"To Be Honesthas to be one of the most honest reads out there today!" ―Bookish Wisps
Praise for The Big F:
Nominated for Best Young Adult Novel by the 2017 RT Reviewers' Choice Awards!
"Martin’s first book is nothing short of amazing! You’ll laugh, cry and scream with every page as you follow Danielle and her realistic yet zany post–high-school antics. . . . The Big F deserves an A-plus for being the quirkiest, most fun-loving read of [the year] so far!" ―RT Book Reviews
"A debut novel sure to resonate with high schoolers who eagerly anticipate graduation and the start of college. . . . Danielle is a savvy, likable character with whom teens will easily identify. . . . Romance fans will enjoy this fast-paced story that features an interesting set of characters and satisfying conclusion." ―School Library Journal
"Danielle is a likeable character who tries to do the right thing. Readers will have confidence in her even when she sometimes lacks self-assurance. . . . An easy, enjoyable read." ―VOYA
"'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' I’m pretty sure that that quote epitomizes The Big F. . . . Fun, cute, and totally relatable." ―Book Allure
About the Author
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Product details
- Publisher : Swoon Reads (August 21, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1250183154
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250183156
- Reading age : 13 - 18 years
- Lexile measure : 830L
- Grade level : 7 - 9
- Item Weight : 13.3 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.7 x 1.11 x 8.81 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,512,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #511 in Teen & Young Adult Clean & Wholesome Romance
- #1,047 in Teen & Young Adult Parents Fiction
- #7,680 in Teen & Young Adult Contemporary Romance
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Maggie Ann Martin hails from Des Moines, Iowa but moonlights as a New Yorker. She earned a BA in English and Journalism from the University of Iowa, the most welcoming literary community in the world. When she is not writing, you can find her binge watching TV shows or passionately fangirling over fictional characters on the Internet. Her two young adult novels, The Big F and To Be Honest are available now from Swoon Reads (Macmillan).
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonReviewed in the United States on September 13, 2018
Top reviews from the United States
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2. Body positive (this cover, though!). Savannah is fat and cool with it, and wow -- how refreshing. As someone who's struggled with body image over the years, I found myself constantly wanting to break into applause for Savannah because even while she struggles in realistic and relatable ways, she truly loves herself.
3. Voice. TO BE HONEST tackles some serious topics (diet culture, fat-phobia, insecurities, divorce, anxiety) but thanks to Maggie Ann Martin's effervescent narrative voice, the story never feels bogged down, or like it's forcing a Message on readers. It's sometimes funny, often moving, and always heartfelt.
Guys, I love this book. A LOT!
I really enjoyed this light read. Lots of great little lessons as Savannah grows more into her own skin. The family drama was shockingly realistic and the YA romance was touching not at all trite.
Savannah, the main character, is a short plus-sized girl who struggles with her weight. While her mother is just coming home from a weight-loss show that is kind of like The Biggest Loser type of show. However, her mother takes weight loss to the extreme and is constantly on Savannah and her daughter's cases to eat super healthy. It became super annoying and kind of triggering for me to read.
If I didn't enjoy the sister relationship I probably would have not finished the book. The close sister relationship was my favorite thing about the entire book. Plus, the romance wasn't half bad either. The book is predictable and nothing too special but what can you expect from a contemporary romance?
I breezed through the novel because it wasn't super long. Savannah is super smart and I enjoyed that aspect too. There are tons of diversity represented in the novel which was nice to see. Including mental health representation, weight issues, lesbian representation, and family dynamics including divorce. Almost to the point of there being too much diversity where it seemed forced at times.
The ending was kind of abrupt and the story randomly ended. I wanted to see so much more from these characters. I could see the book continuing into a second book. A critique that I do have only because I am a Gilmore Girls avid fan too is that the show is referenced by the characters visiting the set in Universal Studios. Although the set was actually at Warner Brothers studio where it was filmed. Where you used to be able to visit the set there on tour. I had to mention this.... that is just semantics of the author making a mistake. All in all, To Be Honest, wasn't anything absolutely amazing. It was just an average young adult novel. If weight issues are triggering to you be careful picking this one up.




