Alyson Gerber, "Taking Up Space"

Alyson Gerber presents TAKING UP SPACE, her new #own voices story for preteens about body image and selfesteem with Lisa Fipps. Purchase TAKING UP SPACE Here

Twelve-year-old Sarah loves playing basketball. But lately, her game is off and she isn’t sure why. After a health class presentation on nutritious foods, Sarah wonders if she should be more cautious about what she eats. At home her mother sends mixed messages about nutrition, making rules about what foods are allowed in the house, hiding candy and sometimes forgetting to feed Sarah entirely. Meanwhile, there’s trouble in her friend group after she agrees to participate in a cooking competition with her best friend’s crush. When Sarah collapses on the court, a trustworthy coach connects her with a school counselor who encourages her to listen to her body’s needs and rid her mind of the negative thoughts that are “taking up space”. Sarah’s story is one that many young people will relate to, and as it is author Gerber’s own story, it rings with the honesty of lived experience. Dialogue in the story may help young readers experiencing similar concerns better articulate their thoughts and can guide parents of young adults in addressing this sensitive but important topic.

Alyson is in conversation with Lisa Fipps, whose middle grade verse novel Starfish is inspired by her own experience with body image as an adolescent.

Politics and Prose is happy to partner with Reflections Eating Disorder Program at Dominion Hospital for this event. Reflections is Dominion Hospital’s eating disorder treatment center in Falls Church, VA. They have served the DMV area for over 10 years as one of the first hospitals on the east coast to provide comprehensive treatment at the inpatient, partial hospitalization (day program), and outpatient levels of care for eating disorders for children, adolescents, adults of all genders, and their families. The Reflections Medical and Program Directors are both Certified Eating Disorders Specialists who have dedicated their lives to the prevention, treatment, and recovery of those with eating disorders.

The event is free to attend, however, we encourage attendees to consider purchasing a book donation ticket for Reflections during registration.

Alyson Gerber is the author of the critically-acclaimed own-voices novels Braced and Focused. She has an MFA from The New School in Writing for Children and lives in New York City with her family.

Lisa Fipps is the author of middle grade books, an award-winning journalist and the Director of Marketing for a public library, where she won the Sara Laughlin Marketing Award. Starfish is her debut novel.

Ages 8 and up

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Founded by Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade in 1984, Politics and Prose Bookstore is Washington, D.C.'s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub, a gathering place for people interested in reading and discussing books. Politics and Prose offers superior service, unusual book choices, and a haven for book lovers in the store and online.