Finding Fatima

Fatima is an eighth-grade girl from an upper middle-class family. Her parents are perfect, however she is far from perfect.

She attends a private prep school where bullies pick on her because of her ethnicity as well as her weight. But one day, she finally stands up for herself and she shows her main tormentor that she is not afraid to defend herself, by any means necessary, even if it takes a food fight to prove it.

Fatima moves on and strikes up a friendship with a group of girls as unique as she is. They happily call themselves the Misfits. They share their hang-ups and insecurities and become close friends. Sadly, the arrival of summer sees Fatima sent off by her parents to a fitness camp, a.k.a. fat camp, where nothing will ever be the same.

New relationships blossom, and Fatima comes of age in ways she never expected.

In the vein of Judy Blume, Sharon Draper, and Walter Dean Myers, Finding Fatima is told through the main character’s strong and uncensored voice, and heartfelt poetry that reveal the complex inner life of a girl struggling with the superficiality of society while trying desperately to remain true to herself.

J. W. Hoffman is a native of North Carolina. She is happily married to her college sweetheart and is the mother of four wonderful children, she calls her blessings.

An educator and doctoral candidate, she enjoys reading, traveling, shopping, and spending quality time with her family.

Writing is her passion, and this book combines two of her favorite literary loves: poetry and fiction. Her faith, family, and friends are a huge part of her strength and motivation to write. She is excited to bring Fatima's story to life, and she looks forward to many more adventures with the character.