Memphis Reads Archive

Fiction/Young Adult

Andrea reviews WINTERGIRLS by Laurie Halse Anderson (Viking, 2009)

Lia, like most teenagers, has set goals for herself. She wants to weigh no more than 95 pounds. Her other goal is to get over the death of her best friend, Cassie, who died from anorexia. If she can achieve that weight and grieve Cassie properly, Lia’s life will be perfect, she thinks. Unfortunately, like most anorexics and bulimics, Lia is filled with self-loathing and doubts, and she begins to feel if she can just “lose 5 more pounds…” Can Lia’s family save her from the self-destructive behavior before it’s too late?

Once again, Anderson has given a voice to the high school outcast as she did with her first novel, Speak. Teenage girls will be drawn to this novel because they will identify with Lia’s awkwardness and wanting to fit in with “normal” high school society. This coming-of-age novel will draw readers of all ages in with Lia’s stream of consciousness point of view.

Suggested website: www.writerlady.com

Andrea King, Poplar-White Station Library

Labels: Fiction, Reviews by Andrea King, Young Adult