Parents' Guide to A Work in Progress

Books like this should definitely exist. Indeed, A Work in Progress unflinchingly portrays the inner and social struggles of a middle grade boy who hates his body and appearance. The book's length, while at first daunting, is greatly mitigated by how many pages are filled with drawings, ramblings, poetry, and emptiness, all meant to convey the constant and punishing brutality of Will's self-loathing. At times, for some readers, the incessant degree of this kind of harmful self-talk might get to be too much, but on the other hand, this is likely the point. Meant to convey the kind of inescapability of what Will feels and how damaging it can be to his health, both physically and mentally, the dominance of Will's hurtful self-talk really invites others who don't know Will's struggle to better understand and have more compassion. For those who do understand Will's struggle, this book might either hit too close to home or feel like a vindication or a combination of both. Either way, when Will finally begins his journey toward self-love, it is well-earned, even if its catalyst might seem far-fetched for those who identify with Will and the kind of social position he is in.