Chew on This (by Charles Wilson, Eric Schlosser)

common sense media says

Fast Food Nation for kids is quite meaty.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book features some upsetting details about how livestock is raised and killed. There are disturbing photographs of rotten body parts. The book also has a pro-union/anti-big business stance. Like Fast Food Nation, from which it was adapted, this book encourages readers to think about what they eat -- and how they spend their money.

Educational value: Kids learn about the chemicals in the food, how junk food is marketed
(and why kids make great targets), how animals are raised and killed,
and what it is doing to our bodies. Teens wanting to use that information to make some changes should check out the publisher's press release for some ideas.
Positive messages: Encourages kids to think about what they eat -- and how they spend their money. Parents should know the book does have a pro-union/ anti big business stance.
Positive role models: Teens may be especially drawn to the profiles of kids throughout the
book: The McDonald's employee working long hours at the expense of her
school work, the Native American girl working to stop soft drink sales
at her school, the obese teen boy worried about having gastric bypass
surgery.
Violence: Some details about how animals are raised and slaughtered. A teen gets a weight-loss operation that nearly kills him.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: All sorts of products are mentioned, from McDonald's to Waffle House, but kids definitely get the idea that fast food and soda are not good for them.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Chew on This

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about their eating habits. How do your kids think they are doing versus most American teens and tweens?
  • The authors encourage kids to vote with their dollars and "stop buying" junk food from fast-food companies. Ask your kids: Do they think that individual behavior can really make an impact on society? What else could you do to make a difference? Check out the publisher's press release for some ideas.

What's the story?

What's the story?
This book teaches kids the history of fast food, and shows them the impact it has had on society. Kids learn about the chemicals in the food, how junk food is marketed (and why kids make great targets), how animals are raised and killed, and what it is doing to our bodies.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Fast Food Nation fans will certainly recognize much of the material here; this book features many of the same stories and facts about junk food. Even so, the subject matter remains fascinating -- and repulsive. You don't want to look, and yet you can't turn away.

Teens may be especially drawn to the profiles of kids throughout the book: The McDonald's employee working long hours at the expense of her school work, the Native American girl working to stop soft drink sales at her school, the obese teen boy worried about having gastric bypass surgery. The photographs seem randomly placed throughout the book, and the narrative can wander a bit. Even so, teens probably will be inspired to rethink their habits.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Charles Wilson, Eric Schlosser
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
Publication date: May 9, 2006
Number of pages: 270
Hardcover price: $16.00
Read Aloud: 12
Read Alone: 12

This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

gamecubefreak32
teen, 17 years old
 
Must Read witty book about the fast food industry...
This book is an excellent look on fast food's impact on society. The invention of the hamburger, the role of soda in toothless Yupik Eskimos, the people behind the counter of a McDonalds, the teen getting gastric bypass, how McNuggets are made...it's all here. Chew On Thishas some gross content like depiction of a slaughterhouse and organs that were damaged from fast food, but I really think that this book was awesome! Five stars, hands down!

kkzozo987
teen, 16 years old
 
this book teachests lot of stuff
this book is good for all ages. After I read this book i never wanted to go to another fast food reatrount. it trachers You about the smille and the counter of your favoret fast food place. You will never regret reading this book.

 
Let them see the advertising ploys!
Excellent book for teaching the way big business in America works. You can see how McDonald's has its hand in so much of our culture and economy. Add to that the 12 year-olds love the disgusting facts and practical applications of science, math, business,etc, and you have a great book.

dipsystix
teen, 15 years old
 
Very Interesting
I really liked this book,it tells you a lot about how fastfood harms us.The book amazed me when I first read it.Because I was younger and I had no idea how terrible fast food was.Sure I knew it was bad for you,but I did not know how bad.this really opens a window for kids my age.Read it!

KTmckay
adult
 
Student Review for Chew On This
Chew On This is getting many praises. But for what? everyone knows what is going on in the fast-food industry. We're just choosing not to acknowledge these "truths" Every student except for two in my classes dreaded reading the book for our summer reading. No high school student cared what was in our food or what fast food chain used what company for potatoes. So they use an ingredient from bugs in strawberry milkshakes. Nothing will be able to stop a high school student from having what they like. I never finished reading it. I had to force myself to read through the introduction. This book was full of dry information with dull "facts". Call me ignorant, but i live in reality where no book is powerful enough to start boycotts on fast-food. Nothing will change and this dull sligtly fictional book is not going to make a slight difference. Do yourself a favor: don't buy this book, and if you are concerned about fast food- just don't eat it! And as principal for your school or in charge of your school district, do your school(s) a favor: don't buy this book, or you will see kids wih chickfila bags and reluctant english students with less than perfect scores.

veggie_friend
teen, 17 years old
 

Skullie
teen, 15 years old
 
^__^ AMAZING!!!!
I *L*O*V*E*D* this book! It was amazing in my view, I feel that it took me where I wanted to go within fastfood places. It shows history, facts, causes, ect of fastfood. Not everyone will enjoy this book because it may ruin their view on the fastfood they loved, or it may get 'gross'. But for someone like me it was perfect, I like the truth and that is what it gave me ^__^

 
A Student's View Point
I had to read this book for my language class. We had a number of high point assignments based off of it, so I had no choice in the matter of whether to read it or not. I was born and raised on a beef farm and we also have chickens. This book is biased and unfair to small farmers like my father. It is also written in a manner that is not necessary for competent tenth graders. We can definitely handle the full on version of Fast Food Nation for any teachers out there wondering. You must understand that not all, in fact, many farms are NOT at all inhumane or bad to their animals. I am very disappointed by this author and frustrated with my teacher for making us read such childish materials.

estar400
kid, 13 years old
 
Perfect Book
I think this book is very educational for kids and adults cause it teaches you some of the weirdest things but they are things that someone would never tell you in person plus you get the idea to not go to McDonald's cause you see how they treat there employees and how they treat there food. To me this may be the best book for kids ever. I think all kids all over the world should read this.

 
EVERYONE should read this book!!!
In the age of rising obesity rates and related health issues it is more important than ever that we recognize what is going on behind our Bic Macs!

NetflixAddict
kid, 13 years old
 
Intriguing for anyone, but too watered down to be the best version for older readers
So far I am mostly liking this. I got it because I was like borderline-intrigued (WAY MORE THAN I EXPECTED) by Schlosser's previous work Fast Food Nation. This one is tamer in most ways (beside the million commercial references like before), but some stuff (i.e., factory dangers/risks of slaughtering, meth use, etc.) would belong but is too watered down (which is why it's 3 stars instead of 5, but at least it's OK for younger kids). If you are a adult or teen (let's say 12+) go with Fast Food Nation. It's a lot more explicit but you probably won't be offended or scared too much.

Jcsierra1
teen, 13 years old
 
A Should Read for All Those Willing to Hear the Truth
This book really opens up children's eyes to advertisement as well as consumerism.

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