Fat Cat    by Robin Brande Order:  USA  Can Knopf, 2009 (2009) Hardcover, CD, e-Book Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Lyn Seippel Every year since middle school, Cat has worked to win the district Science Fair. Matt McKinney has won every competition except one when Cat took first prize. This year Cat is determined to win again. This year her science experiment will take more than research and lab work. It will take total commitment, because this year, Cat is her own science experiment. Cat will live like our early ancestors, the hominids. She will give up TV, the car, her cell phone, modern appliances – anything the hominids didn't have. That's easy compared to changing her diet. She must eat only those things available to the hominids. Fat Cat loves candy, ice cream, soft drinks, vending machines, and fast food, and her body shows it. Without comfort food to fortify her, caffeine withdrawal causes headaches and exhaustion. At the same time her activity level soars because she has to walk everywhere she needs to go. Whether Cat's science experiment is to win the competition, or to lose weight, she has a tough road to travel. As Cat loses weight she begins to date. Dating is a major disappointment, but maybe it's the wrong boy. Her thoughts keep turning to Matt McKinney. Matt was her best friend until middle school when he betrayed her on the day she won the Science Fair competition. Saying he's sorry is the right thing for Matt to do, but Cat isn't sure he means it. She's been holding on to her hurt for a long time. Revenge, not forgiveness, is what she had in mind when she started her science project. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews