Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brilliant story about bulimia has language and self-harm.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE GREAT COOL RANCH DORITO IN THE SKY, Brett Harrison's epic Captain Condor comic is gaining readership among the Tucson high school population. But everything else in Brett's life is careening out of control. His adoptive mom's struggle with lung cancer has forced him to move in with his best friend Reed and his dad. The closer Brett and Reed become, the more Brett feels the need to escape. His coping methods become more and more intense until he's putting himself in physical danger. Can Brett get the help he needs?
Is It Any Good?
This outstanding exploration of an eating disorder from a male teen perspective doesn't flinch. The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky asks hard questions about food, love, loss, racial identity, and the American dream. It's wit and a gritty cleverness will earn fans.
A grueling journey through the main character's binge-purge cycle, the book begins with a trigger warning from the author (so readers sensitive to detailed descriptions of disordered eating, beware) and offers an appendix with resources. The payoff is rich, however, and the epic journey ends with a reward that nobody can take away. It's an intense book, but its messages will ring true for so many teens, and especially for those struggling to cope with grief, trauma, body dysmorphia, or eating disorders.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about integrity in The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky. The main character knows he's lying to himself when he's engaging in self-destructive behavior. How does facing your truths provide you with a sense of integrity?
The main character visits a 12-step group that rankles him because he couldn't relate to the people in the group or their focus. What advice would you give to a friend who tried something to help them and didn't like it?
In this book, trusted adults have the ability to communicate in ways that teens find relatable. How do the adults in your life earn your trust?
How does Brett show courage in this book? What about Mallory or other characters? Why is courage important when healing from trauma?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Activism , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Henry Holt
- Publication date : July 23, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 313
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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