Wintergirls is another outstanding read by Laurie Halse Anderson. The subject is grim - Lia is anorexic, living with her Dad's second family, and barely recovering, when her former best friend, Cassie, dies a rather horrifying death by bulimia. Because Cassie tried to call Lia 33 times the weekend she died, Lia flips into full guilt "I don't deserve to eat" mode. Watching her disintegrate is wrentching. Beyond the subject matter, though, the book is outstanding for its sharp, poetic prose which puts the reader in Lia's unique, twisted mind. I'd say this is top of the must-read YAs of the year. It also is destined for the kind of popularity Anderson's Speak maintains. Body issue books are always popular, as are books centered around particular adolescent problems, like Cut by Patricia McCormick. Unlike some adults who get all "Oh my God, it's a how-to manual!" about these books, I think they function far differently for their readers , who really want a peek into a particular mind-set that may effect kids they know. In other words, don't be afraid to recommend these books. Other recent books that address body issues are North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley, and The Fold by An Na. Terra Rose, the heroine of North, was born with a port-wine stain that noticiably covers a portion of her face. Her struggles with it, her parents, her artistic ambitions, her boyfriend, and what she finds on a trip to China, make the book read like something by Chris Crutcher - there's just so much - maybe too much- in the mix. The Fold is a bit lighter, finding some humor in the dilemma of a Korean-American girl whose aunt is pushing her to have an operation that will make her eyes look bigger (and less Asian). The struggles of these girls over their looks will also strike a chord with many teen readers, and so are worth recommending, even if they don't touch Wintergirls' literary merits.
