I read Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson months ago now, and I still cannot decide how I feel about it. I want to like it, but part of me wants to hate it. Compared to Speak, also by Laurie Halse Anderson, I think I like it more, but that could have more to do with when I read each of them. However, when I was reading Wintergirls, I couldn't stop reading it. Anderson does an excellent job turning the pages for you with her dark writing style that makes you want to know more about Lia and Cassie.
About the Book:
Lia and Cassie are best friends. To further their bond, they make a pact to be the skinniest girl at school, creating a competition between the two of them and ending their friendship. When Cassie calls Lia from a motel room 33 times one night, asking for Lia's help, Lia ignores every single one. The next morning, Lia finds out that Cassie was found dead in the motel. Lia, struggling with an eating disorder, now must cope with the guilt caused by Cassie's death. Barely eating enough to stay alive, Lia begins hallucinating, seeing Cassie's ghost. Lia is forced to decide whether being skinny enough is really worth suffering the same fate as Cassie.
On Teaching:
Because of the sensitive nature of the content in Wintergirls, this is not a book I would teach as a whole class novel. I'm not even sure I would feel comfortable using it as a lit circle novel, but I would definitely have a copy in my classroom for students to read on their own.
Book Trailer:
Other Books By the Author:
Speak
Fever 1793
Catalyst
Twisted
Chains
Prom
Forge
Author's Website:
http://madwomanintheforest.com/
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