David Miller is a fat boy. And he knows it. The bullying at school, the craving for those savoury, greasy, succulent dishes his mother cooks, the athletic look of his sister, ‘Perfect Amelia’: he experiences it all, every day, thanks to his sharp, although sometimes painful self-awareness and perceptiveness. One day, he just has had enough. And he decides to take control of the situation. As Captain James Kirk would say: I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. Inspired by her own and her friends’ weight loss experiences and the realisation of how little control some children have over their parents’ food choices, the story of Fat Boy no More is the perfect example of ‘show, don’t tell’; a realistic day-to-day narrative in which the reader will observe the growth of an insecure eleven-year-old boy with a passion for Star Trek into a determined, kind, and sensible young man. Sweet, ironic, moving, humorous, and often mouth-watering with its detailed, accurate descriptions of delicious and healthy recipes, Fat Boy no More will capture you at every page with vivid and realistic characters that grow, change, and live. Marétha Marais was born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, in 1968. After majoring in Communications and Criminology, she became a secretary at a Consulting Engineering Company. Thirty three years later she still works in the Construction industry as a Bid and Compliance Officer. A prolific reader for the first forty-nine years of her life, she decided, when she turned fifty, to put her communications degree to good use and start writing children’s fiction. Easier said than done – she is forever thankful to Nawaal D at Penguin Random House, who has convinced her not to give up and finish the Creative Writing Short Course. She successfully completed the course, and this has led to an invite from author Mike Nicol and Editor Claire Strombeck to participate in their Masterclass. In one year, she completed her first novel, Fat Boy no More, and is currently busy with the second instalment in the series – Former Fat Boy.

The author relates his journey from obese infant and child, through his struggle to lose the weight and emerge as a healthy young man.

Fat from an early age, the author had an obese adolescence that last into his 30s. Despite having lost more than 130 pounds three times, he weighed 365 in October 1991, when he began accepting that he might be a food addict, and undertaking the practices and treatments designed for alcoholics. "Fat Boy Thin Man" relates what it was like to grow up fat, what it was like to experience reliable improvement in his health and lifestyle, and what about his experience relates to others. The second line of his book assures readers he isn't a guru; he shares what was shared with him by others. "Fat Boy Thin Man" will delight readers who enjoy humorous, engaging, real-life stories of redemption. But it will also serve readers who suffer, or whose loved ones suffer, with obesity that they have tried and failed to resolve repeatedly.

Sixteen-year-old Carlos Duarte is on the verge of realizing his dream of becoming a famous make-up artist, but first he must face his jealous boss at a Macy's cosmetics counter, his sister's abusive boyfriend, and his crush on a punk-rocker classmate.

Teased and abused for being grossly overweight, Jimmy, a fourteen-year-old Scottish boy who dreams mysterious dreams and secretly aspires to become a chef, decides to turn his self-loathing life around by learning how to swim.

It's bad enough being the new kid, but as a freshman, Jimmy finds school less enjoyable than many of his classmates. Standing 5'5" and weighing 187 pounds, he's subjected to a daily barrage of taunts and torments. His only sources of comfort are his family, his youth group, and his favorite foods. When his English teacher assigns a journal as a writing project, Jimmy chronicles not only his struggles but also his aspirations - to lose weight and win the girl of his dreams. Inspired by a true story and told in first-person journal entries, The Fat Boy Chronicles brings to life the pain and isolation felt by many overweight teenagers as they try to find their way in a world obsessed with outward beauty.

When Bill Baroni was just twenty years old, he was convinced he was dying. He thought he was having a heart attack because it felt like he had an elephant sitting on his chest. It turned out to be only indigestion, but more than that, it was the wake up call he needed to save his life. Bill weighed 320 pounds and was hooked on junk food. He set about to change his life forever, and now, in Fat Kid Gets Fit, he tells you everything you need to know to lose weight and more importantly, keep it off for the rest of your life. No, he’s not a doctor. Not a trainer. Not a salesman hawking gym equipment, vitamin supplements, or workout videos. He did not have gastric bypass surgery and he didn’t subscribe to the slimming grapefruit enema regimes used by Hollywood stars. He lost his weight using common sense. It took dedication, and even some gumption. But it worked! He lost 120 pounds and, more importantly, he has kept it off! He has maintained a healthy 185 pounds for fifteen years. At 6’5”, he is trim, handsome, and healthy. Bill is a man on a mission—to help get everyone fit, no matter what their story is.

In today’s world where fast-food restaurants, soda, and processed foods reign supreme, does “fat dad” have to mean “fat kid”? Digital entrepreneur and beloved vlogger Shay Butler and his preteen son, Gavin, decided to find out the answer for themselves. Before Shay became famous for vlogging about life with his boisterous brood of five, known on YouTube as the Shaytards, he was like many other American dads: He worked 9 to 5 to pay the bills, ate double bacon cheeseburgers during his lunch breaks, sipped soda throughout the day, and watched Netflix with handfuls of candy. These small behaviors added up, and before he turned thirty, Shay was nearly 300 pounds. Motivated by the fear that he could have a heart attack before thirty-five, Shay decided to make incremental changes to his eating habits and exercise regimen. Adopting the attitude that every action, no matter how small, was better than what he was doing before, Shay lost more than 100 pounds and ran four marathons, becoming a source of inspiration for everyone who followed his journey on his ShayLoss channel on YouTube. Now, at the age of thirty-five, Shay has discovered that “maintaining” is the hard part. He has also seen how some of his hard-to-break habits are affecting his children, particularly his eldest son, Gavin, who grew up during the years when his dad had “a little extra Shay on him.” Determined to get back into shape and inspire his son along the way, Shay asked Gavin to embark on a thirty-day challenge with him to eat clean and do thirty minutes of exercise a day. Full of Shay’s signature blend of humor, honesty, and unbridled enthusiasm, Fat Dad, Fat Kid chronicles the ups and downs of Shay and Gavin’s thirty days together, reflects on Shay’s lifelong struggle with health and fitness, and proves that it’s never too late for parents or children to embrace a healthier lifestyle—even when it doesn’t come easy.

The Premiership is not all glamour, particularly not now Stoke City - the ugly ducklings - are involved...In 2008, Stoke City managed to grind their way into the Promised Land of the Premiership. Under the uncompromising guidance of manager Tony Pulis, they were never going to be pretty to watch. Lifetime Stoke supporter Stephen Foster describes a club with a chip on its brawny shoulders, whose tactics were built around heroic defiance of superstars earning 150 grand a week - and, of course, Rory Delap's long throw. And She Laughed No More, the sequel to Foster's bestselling She Stood There Laughing, chronicles the blood, sweat, tears and triumphs of an unlikely season when the Potters were rescued from their lower league nightmare and transported to the Theatre of Dreams at Old Trafford (where they lost 5-0).

In 'The Pony Rider Boys in New England' by Frank Gee Patchin, readers are taken on an adventurous journey through the picturesque landscapes of New England. The book embodies a rich literary style, combining elements of adventure, friendship, and a deep appreciation for nature. Patchin's vivid descriptions of the boys' experiences with the local wildlife and the challenges they face on their journey provide readers with a captivating narrative that transports them to another time and place. Set against the backdrop of the scenic New England countryside, the book captures the spirit of exploration and camaraderie among the characters. Patchin's writing is characterized by its engaging storytelling and the seamless integration of educational elements, making it both entertaining and informative. Frank Gee Patchin's background as a prolific author of children's adventure books shines through in 'The Pony Rider Boys in New England,' showcasing his passion for storytelling and commitment to providing readers with a memorable reading experience. Recommended for adventure enthusiasts, nature lovers, and fans of classic children's literature, this book is sure to captivate readers of all ages.