The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky written by Josh Galarza, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: In Josh Galarza's debut novel, Brett Isaias Harrison, a 16-year-old boy, struggles to maintain his grip on life while faced with his adoptive mother’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Unable to cope with the overwhelming emotions, Brett escapes into the imaginative world of his comic book series, Kid Condor, intertwining food constellations and characters reflecting his own life. However, his fantasy gradually crumbles as he confronts harsh realities, including his unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking and binge eating. When his food journal is leaked online, exposing his vulnerabilities to classmates, Brett is forced to confront his insecurities, feelings of isolation, and the impact of his eating disorder. With the support of an unexpected friendship with Mallory, a confident classmate, Brett learns to navigate his challenges and embrace the healing power of honesty and connection. Galarza's narrative addresses themes of grief, body image, and mental health, providing authentic representation of the teenage experience. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: I'm not gonna lie...there were tears at the end of this story.  Also, a twist that I was not expecting.  I love the friendships formed.  I love the explaniations of the various eating disorders and what treatment can look like.  The power of friendships, support and love really come through in this story.  It took me a while to get into it, but I am glad that I saw the story through to the end.  I think that every school librarian should recommend this to their building counselors so they can recommend it to students. It's a great book to foster discussions on mental health, body image, and the importance of representation in literature. Incorporating activities such as writing workshops based on Brett’s comic book journey can inspire creativity and self-expression among students. The novel's rich themes can also be linked to larger discussions about diversity and inclusivity in literature, prompting students to explore different perspectives and experiences. Overall, Galarza’s work can serve as a powerful tool for promoting empathy and understanding within the school community.  You could tell that the author poured a lot of himself into the story.  It was well researched and the notes at the end of the book have a lot of good resources. Highly recommended for a high school library.