When he was younger, he was just like most other kids: friendly, funny and well-behaved. However, there was one thing that set him apart – his weight.

Sophomore Connor Kianpour has been overweight his entire life. However, instead of letting his embarrassment get the best of him, this summer he decided to write a memoir about it.

“When I was younger I didn’t even realize that I was different until I was told that being overweight wasn’t a normal circumstance,” said Kianpour. “Naturally, this kind of realization at such a young age took a toll on me, but I feel that it was for the best.”

With only weeks left of summer, Kianpour wanted to make an impact on others. “For summer reading, we had to read “The Glass Castle.” That book had made such an impact on me that I felt I could at least attempt to do the same. So I wrote ‘Heavy’ with the hope that I could be as impressionable as Jeannette Walls was in her memoir,” he said.

“Heavy” only took Kianpour about six weeks to complete. When writing, he made sure that his story was relatable to all readers. “I could have very easily written all of my life experiences and published my book. But my message would not be universal, and I felt it was important for the reader to relate to my experience,” said Kianpour.

“I liked the fact that he got personal, and wasn’t ashamed about his weight,” said sophomore Sarah Hague.

More than anything, Kianpour wants his readers to understand that it’s okay to be different. “ I’ve decided to make some changes in my life. And I felt that the only way I could feel good about making those changes is if I brought to light the reasons I came to make those changes in the first place.”

“Heavy” is available for purchase on Amazon.com as an e-book and a paperback.