Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Okay for some reason I couldn’t get the excerpt part of Ms. Anderson’s gorgeous website to work correctly (the site is worth a look see to be sure. I’ve linked to it here.) Here’s a blurb about the book: Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in fragile bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the thinnest. But then Cassie suffers the ultimate loss-her life-and Lia is left behind, haunted by her friend's memory and racked with guilt for not being able to help save her. In her most powerfully moving novel since Speak, award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia's struggle, her painful path to recovery, and her desperate attempts to hold on to the most important thing of all-hope.

Whew, deep breath…okay. Ms. Anderson has the most vivid images painted with words that I believe I’ve read in a long, long time. You can imagine with a mc locked in battle with an eating disorder and a cutting tendency, the images were not always pretty. They were kinda’ scary sometimes, as a matter of fact. I thought this book portrayed the issues surrounding teens fighting for acceptance and struggling with body issues in a brutally honest fashion. It’s at times heart breaking, frustrating and downright depressing, but you’re pulling for Lia to win the battle and triumph over anorexia. I would recommend this book for teens aged 15 and up. The cover is interesting and lovely. I give it 3 roses!