Book details
Paula Danziger - Author
A school story about a teenager who feels out of place and is troubled by her weight. When her supportive teacher is removed from school, Marcy joins a campaign to bring her back and finds confidence in using her voice.
Marcy Lewis is bored by school, she despairs of ever being thin, and she is certain she'll never have a date. Life at home isn't great either, since her father bosses her and her mother around. Then along comes Ms. Finney, an English teacher who will try anything in the classroom, and above all, a teacher who acts human. Marcy has never met anyone like her, and suddenly life in and out of school begins to have a purpose. When Ms. Finney is suspended because of her controversial teaching methods, the school is thrown into an uproar. When Marcy, now out of her shell, helps to organize a protest, she too is suspended. With her mother firmly on her side, her father violently opposed, Marcy mus decide whether her fight for Ms. Finney and the values she stands for is worth the price she must pay at home and in school. ---------- Also contained in: - [The Cat Ate My Gymsuit / There's a Bat in Bunk Five](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL464852W) - [The Cat Ate My Gymsuit / There's a Bat in Bunk Five / Can You Sue Your Parents for Malpractice?](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL464855W)
Book Analysis
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Sign in for personalised guidanceHow the book presents it: The story presents Marcy’s growing confidence and ability to affect others positively.
Talk about: What helps Marcy feel that her voice matters?
Talk about: Does Marcy’s view of her body change as the story develops?
The story centres on self-image, family misunderstanding and finding a voice in a school community. Marcy’s changing confidence may offer a way to talk about what helps someone feel heard.
Marcy feels unhappy about her weight and imagines losing weight might improve her life. This makes body image a prominent subject to approach with care, without treating her belief as advice.
If Marcy’s confidence grows, what seems to help her find and use her voice?
Read together or check in after chapters that focus on Marcy’s feelings about her body. Let her explain how she sees herself, and distinguish the character’s hopes from guidance about weight.
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit - Paula Danziger - Google Books
Limited information
Checked: 1 October 2026.
Relevant to: Finding a voice; Body image
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger | Open Library
Limited information
Checked: 1 October 2026.
Relevant to: Finding a voice; Body image
Benefits, discussion questions and reading approaches are suggestions. Your knowledge of your child remains part of the decision.
Suitabook