"Skinny" by Ibi Kaslik

244 pages

From the outside, it looks like Giselle has it all. She's beautiful, smart, and in medical school. Beneath the surface, though, Giselle is a mess. She's slipping further and further into the clutches of severe anorexia. Meanwhile, her younger jock sister, Holly, is struggling to pull Giselle back from the edge before it's too late. As it almost always is, though, Giselle's eating disorder is about much more than just food. She never felt loved by their father, who died before she could fix her relationship with him. And then, as Giselle is fighting for her life, some hidden information about her family's past comes to light. If Giselle is ever going to get better, she, Holly, and their mother are going to have to confront the truth.

This is a very interesting, multilayered story. I like the way it demonstrates that eating disorders are almost never really about food--they often arise as a way for someone to gain control in one area of his/her life when everything else it out of control. Anyone who's had an eating disorder--or any mental issue at all--will relate to Giselle and the voice she hears in her mind, the one that tells her she's worthless, not good enough, etc. In fact, I'd venture to say that almost everyone has heard that voice at one time or another. Also, I liked the suspense about what really happened with Giselle's family, and the way that the narration switches each chapter between Giselle and Holly. It makes things all the more fascinating to hear each side of the story. I'd say this is a must-read for anyone who has/has had an eating disorder, but many other people will enjoy it as well.

Jane in Bloom by Deborah Lytton

This book will never win the Truman Award but it isn't because it's a bad book.  The title is "Jane in Bloom"-reason #1 for why no boy will read it willingly.  It has a giant yellow rose on the cover-reason #2 why no boy will read it willingly.  It's written by a woman-reason #3 why no boy will read it willingly.  It's very sad-reason #4...you get the picture.  But it's a shame because the book is not only well-written in a straightforward style but it's a really meaningful look at how it feels to love a sister and still be overshadowed-how all the drama in a family can get wrapped up in one person without anyone ever intending that to happen, how a girl can love her sister but not be able to save her.  I required four Kleenex to read this book, which I finished in one sitting.  It's only 182 pages long but it's lean and spare in the best way a book like this can be.  And it's subtle, not too preachy.  I'm not really sure who the audience for this book is.  I made a big deal out of saying boys wouldn't pick it up, but I don't think every girl will like it either.  I'm going to try it out on my 12 year old who hates everything.  I'll keep you posted...
Kim F