Book Review: Sugar Free by Robin D’Amato

Reviewed by Audrey Davis

A sentimental slice-of-life story of connection and self-truth

 When Ginny Eastman is handed a basketball at six years old in 1966, she is instantly enamored. With the guidance of her older brother Asher, Ginny learns she has a natural aptitude and passion for the game, but when she receives a diagnosis of childhood diabetes, her athleticism becomes a risk. Knowledge surrounding blood glucose levels and how to monitor them is limited, but she will not let this stop her from reaching her goals. 

Although intimidated, Ginny is dedicated. High school proves another daunting task, as does college, as she continues chasing a career in a sport lacking adequate women’s divisions and support. Confronting tradition and social expectations as well as her own inner thoughts, Ginny forges her own path forward to create a life she wants to live, not one expected of her. 

“Ginny didn’t want people to pat her on the head and tell her everything would be fine. She also didn’t want people to scare the crap out of her until she was rolled up in a fetal position sobbing her eyes out. However, this didn’t mean she didn’t want information.”

Taking place mainly in New York City, Robin D’Amato’s Sugar Free highlights all the best parts of a coming-of-age, slice-of-life story. The story is character-driven, which suits the simple narrative wonderfully. Readers are not given anything outside of Ginny’s point of view, and we get to watch her mature and experience different aspects of life through the years as if one of her peers. This only supports the story’s pacing, and no stone is left unturned, as Ginny investigates life for herself. 

One of this novel’s shining features is its attention to detail and realism. If you’re not regularly dealing with a condition such as diabetes, it is easy to overlook something that has seemingly become more common place to handle in recent years. The story does a great job of showing just how much diabetes treatment has changed over the years, ranging from constant urine testing in the 60s up to modern day methods. Ginny’s reactions to this diagnosis as a seven-year-old also feel very honest, showing her own confused journey to acceptance, as well as her parents’ mixed reactions. 

Ginny’s genuine interactions and bond with her friends at every stage of life, over life’s little intricacies, add another layer of humanity to D’Amato’s story portrait. I enjoyed the story’s capacity to show that a character can or has changed, but at heart they still retain who they are. 

“‘What’s she practicing for, anyway?’ Orin said as they were heading for the door. This was a question Ginny asked herself all the time. But then, what were they practicing for?”

This story seamlessly shows not just how Ginny’s life progresses, but how culturally important events impact her, her surroundings, and her peers. Ginny and her friends participate in Beatlemania, play with now-nostalgic toys, and receive news about the Vietnam War. Ginny also observes her friend Reneé dealing with racism. Moreover, at the start of her athletic career, Ginny is unsure of how she can and will proceed as a female athlete, and she experiences first-hand the treatment of women in both sports and society in the 70s and beyond. 

This story is great for all readers, including teenagers, and is a secret love letter to music-collecting. D’Amato’s writing is concise, yet colorful and inviting, and readers will enjoy Ginny’s mission of always finding a new place for “bouncing and running.”

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