Short and Skinny

This engaging chapter book is a semi-autobiographical story from cartoonist Mark Tatulli, chronicling his middle school years in 1977. It follows young Mark as he grapples with being 'short and skinny,' facing bullying, and feeling insecure about his body. His attempts to bulk up using questionable comic book remedies are a central, often humorous, part of his journey. The narrative shifts as Mark finds solace and self-expression through his burgeoning obsession with Star Wars, ultimately discovering his creative voice. It's a relatable tale for children aged 9-13 dealing with self-esteem, social pressures, and the search for identity, offering a comforting message about finding strength in one's unique passions.

As a middle schooler, Mark finds himself on the smaller side of the physical spectrum--being short AND skinny has really wreaked havoc on his confidence. So to end his bullying woes and get the girl--or at least the confidence to talk to the girl--he starts to explore bulking up by way of the miracle cures in the backs of his comics. But his obsession with beefing up is soon derailed by a new obsession: Star Wars, the hottest thing to hit the summer of 1977. As he explores his creative outlets as well as his cures to body image woes, Mark sets out to make his own stamp on the film that he loves.