On the real

Have you heard of this book: Maggie Goes on a Diet?

I heard Ryan Seacrest and his radio friends talking about it on Sirius/XM and apparently it's very controversial!

It's about a young, overweight girl who goes on a diet and then becomes skinny and awesome and good at soccer. Some people are pissed because they think it suggests that you are only a worthy child if you are skinny.

I disagree there and think it's great to promote healthy eating and exercise for kids. But maybe it could be called Maggie Gets Healthy, thereby not encouraging pre-teens to start their vicious cycle of dieting before they even hit puberty.

I also think it's irresponsible to suggest that skinniness and athletic ability go hand-in-hand. I was skinny for the first 20 years of my life and I have never been able to kick, throw, hit, or catch a ball. Does not relate.

Also, the cover art clearly indicates body dysmorphic disorder. I think that's a little too intense for young readers. They are probably more likely to go for a cover of a girl binge eating Birthday cake or passing out on the soccer field from over-exhaustion...I kid. I kid. Childhood obesity is no joke!

Have any of you out there read this book? Would you read it to your kids?