Wintergirls
Book description
"Dead girl walking," the boys say in the halls.
"Tell us your secret," the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.
Lia and Cassie are best…
Why read it?
3 authors picked Wintergirls as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
From Emily's list on YA that will haunt your dreams tonight.
This novel is one of the first, and still best books to explore serious eating disorders. While not humorous, it is powerful, poetic, and disturbing. The story features high school students Lia and Cassie, both of whom suffer from debilitating anorexia and bulimia respectively, with tragic consequences. Probably a better read for those trying to understand the mindset of someone struggling with these illnesses, rather than for someone who is. If you haven’t read something by Anderson, it’s time to correct that. Try the iconic Speak, which deals with the long-term effects of trauma after sexual assault. (I know,…
From Ann's list on young readers that deal with mental illness.
When I teach writers about how seemingly simple scenes can hold huge tension, I talk about the opening of Wintergirls. Huge emotion and many pages dedicated to only a few minutes within Lia’s day. It’s heartbreaking and honest but so full of hope. This also showcases how hard it is to find that hope when an illness has taken over your thoughts and when grief clouds everything else. The language of this book is a masterclass in emotion and showcases so well what it’s like when your life is consumed by an eating disorder.
From Jolene's list on showcasing varied experiences of mental illness.
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