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Most Helpful Favorable Review
23 out of 24 people found this review helpful.
Reviewed by Emily Ann for TeensReadToo.com
Chilling. Even many days after reading WINTERGIRLS, I still shiver when I think about this book.
Lia has struggled with an eating disorder before. Her parents think that she is getting better, but she is just fooling everyone. When Cassie, who used to be her b...Read More
Lia has struggled with an eating disorder before. Her parents think that she is getting better, but she is just fooling everyone. When Cassie, who used to be her b...Read More
Chilling. Even many days after reading WINTERGIRLS, I still shiver when I think about this book.
Lia has struggled with an eating disorder before. Her parents think that she is getting better, but she is just fooling everyone. When Cassie, who used to be her best friend, dies, Lia spirals out of control again.
She eats less and less and begins seeing Cassie's ghost everywhere.
WINTERGIRLS explores the world of eating disorders with vivid, horrifying detail.
Even though this book was really creepy, it was also spectacular. I had never understood how or why some people began to have eating disorders, and this book gave a spectacular insight into their state of mind.Show Less
Lia has struggled with an eating disorder before. Her parents think that she is getting better, but she is just fooling everyone. When Cassie, who used to be her best friend, dies, Lia spirals out of control again.
She eats less and less and begins seeing Cassie's ghost everywhere.
WINTERGIRLS explores the world of eating disorders with vivid, horrifying detail.
Even though this book was really creepy, it was also spectacular. I had never understood how or why some people began to have eating disorders, and this book gave a spectacular insight into their state of mind.Show Less
posted by TeensReadToo on January 3, 2009
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Most Helpful Critical Review
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Would Not Recommend. Ending Is Highly Impractical.
Although this book may be fast moving, the ending is utterly pointless. It has that perfect fairy tale ending, where everyone goes away all happy and better. In real life this is not what would happen. Furthermore, the book is not well written and the character's traits...Read More
Although this book may be fast moving, the ending is utterly pointless. It has that perfect fairy tale ending, where everyone goes away all happy and better. In real life this is not what would happen. Furthermore, the book is not well written and the character's traits and points of view do not remain consistent.Show Less
posted by booklover2016 on December 20, 2010
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Reviewed by Emily Ann for TeensReadToo.com
Chilling. Even many days after reading WINTERGIRLS, I still shiver when I think about this book.
Lia has struggled with an eating disorder before. Her parents think that she is getting better, but she is just fooling everyone. When Cassie, who used to be her best friend, dies, Lia spirals out of control again.
She eats less and less and begins seeing Cassie's ghost everywhere.
WINTERGIRLS explores the world of eating disorders with vivid, horrifying detail.
Even though this book was really creepy, it was also spectacular. I had never understood how or why some people began to have eating disorders, and this book gave a spectacular insight into their state of mind.23 out of 24 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted September 5, 2009
Amazing...utterly amazing.
Not only was this book an excellent portrayal of a teenager with anorexia but it also was a an extensive view into the mind of a cutter and someone who deals with hallucinations. This book may be hard to read for some people. If you are thinking about reading it, make sure that you are...i guess mentally prepared for it. It can be extremely heart wrenching. But if you do decide to read it...you won't be disappointed. I loved reading every minute of it. Lia's character is sarcastic and can be quite funny at times. I would recommend this book to anyone.
18 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
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Wintergirls
Laurie Halse Anderson is not one to shy away from difficult topics. Her debut novel Speak deals with the issue of teen rape was lets just say it was incredible. In her latest, Wintergirls, Anderson deftly addresses the devastating effects of eating disorders.
Wintergirls is the story of Lia who daily fights a battle between herself and food. She's already been hospitalized twice for her eating disorder where she played the 'recovery game' until doctors and parents were satisfied and gave her enough breathing room to go back to her old habits. It's the one thing Lia constantly concentrates on in the midst of divorced parents who are too busy to notice her and school that doesn't really matter. How many calories (or lack there of) each day. How much she exercises. But then Lia begins to face the realities of her choices when she finds out that her (ex)best friend, Cassie, who also had an eating disorder, has died. As she stumbles deeper into grief, Lia tries to determine not the reason why Cassie killed herself, but why not?
What amazes me is how accurately Anderson is able to portray a teenager who feels constantly at odds with her family, herself and especially food. She is so isolated, so alone with the pain and destructive feelings in her head it seems to the reader she'll never be able to pull herself out. Lia's isolation is underscored by her nightly visits to supersecret and honestly so competely depressing online chat groups for anorexic/bulimic girls who discuss their struggle to lose that last 10, 15, even 25 pounds. Nameless girls who like Lia try to control the chaos of their lives by controlling their body.
Wintergirls was not an easy read nor was it easy to put down. I alternated between pity, depression and down right horror at the things Lia put herself and consequently, her family through. Though this is a teen novel, I would hesitate to give it to just any teen girl - it's something that needs to be digested with a little bit of maturity and sensitivity. But was it a heartbreaking beautiful novel that will stick with me a long time? Absolutely.
seemichelleread.blogspot.com6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted June 28, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Wow. This book was amazing.
I couldn't set this book down. I read it in a few short hours and it spoke to me. I suffered from anorexia and it portrayed an everyday struggle. It was a beautiful book and i will surely be sharing it with my friends. Warning: If you have ever suffered from an ED the begining may cause triggering thoughts.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Crazy Good
This Story is amazing! I was really busy when i started reading it so it took me forever to get through, but i finally had a free day. I read the rest of the book in that day!! It is an amazing book. It's real life, heart-wrenching. You will fall in love with the characters in this book. You will feel what they felt in the situations they as they go through them. You will probably be able to relate to this book or know someone who does. Lia & Cassie were best friends until a couple years before Cassie died. Cassie hasn't found the light yet, and it still with Lia. Cassie called Lia in the motel before she took her life, but Lia didn't answer. She remembers this everyday and Cassie doesn't let her forget it. This is a truly amzaing book. A must read!!! Filled with real life situations teens go through everyday. Eating disorders, Cutting, Sucide (SP?) and everything in between!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2012
Amazing
This is now my offical favorite book! Its amazing! You will love it! I read this book 4 times already!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted February 6, 2012
Moving
A little gross and really sad this is an amazing book that you will never forget. You will never want to put it down. Heart wrenching and tear jerking this is a captivationg novel. You did it again Laurie...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Madi6785
Posted May 31, 2011
loved it!!
i love all of it. the book was slow at some times and i really wanted to see what elijah and lia where like if he didnt leave her in the motel room it was thrilling and wonderful oh and i love cassie how shes a ghost and all i highly highly recommend it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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booklover2016
Posted December 20, 2010
Would Not Recommend. Ending Is Highly Impractical.
Although this book may be fast moving, the ending is utterly pointless. It has that perfect fairy tale ending, where everyone goes away all happy and better. In real life this is not what would happen. Furthermore, the book is not well written and the character's traits and points of view do not remain consistent.
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted November 9, 2010
Edgy, Emotional
Edgy, emotional; these are just 2 words to describe Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book was different. Not different in a bad way, but different like it was really good. It was so captivating. I just didn't know what would happen next.
It is placed in modern times, in the winter. The book talks about how a girl that goes through problems that are occurring a lot now. I can really picture all the settings in my head and they are vivid.
The girl's name is Lia and she is battling anorexia. Her friend dying doesn't really help, but the story follows Lia through out all of her pain and sadness of loss. Wintergirls made me feel like I was standing right next to whatever character was there at the time.
I was so scared throughout the book that something would happen to Lia. I was on the edge of my seat, and I kept reading so I could continue finding out what happened. I would definitely recommend Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson to anyone who knows what Lia is going through.1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted October 13, 2010
great
i really loved this book. i got it from my school library and plan on buying a copy for myself. it was a very deep and moving had shocking twists and turns
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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BookloverAW
Posted October 11, 2010
Very good book.
This book cannot be fully descibed in words... all i can say is that this book is truly breathtakingly sad and really puts you into the mind of an anorexic teen. I recommened this book to anyone but i am warning you this book is really sad and you should really mentally prepare yourself for what you are about to read because its not only sad but kind of scary as well.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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I'll Try My Best to Desribe My Love for This One
Raw, painful, realistic, sad, beautiful, heart wrenching . . . all these words can be used to describe Wintergirls.
I knew going into this one that it deals with eating disorders. But Wintergirls deals with so much more. It touches on loss, depression, family problems, and cutting. It was a very heavy read. Unbelievably sad. But it was one of the most beautifully written stories I have read so far. My hand stayed over my heart just about the whole time I was reading Wintergirls.
Cassie and Lia care about nothing but being the thinnest. Their obsession costs Cassie her life. Cassie's death leaves Lia in a terrible, self-destructive state. The emotions get to you so much that you felt them like your own. You are put inside the head of an extreme anorexic. Someone who can barley eat, but has food on the brain constantly. Every time you eat is a punishment. Every little speck of food must be counted. It was exhausting. I couldn't imagine ever having to live like that. But at the same time, you can completely understand where Lia is coming from. We have all gone through times that we mentally kick ourselves for eating too much. Multiply that by 100, and you are getting closer to the misery Lia is in. Now living with the guilt of a lost friend only makes it worse. Lia's struggle wasn't like anything else I have ever read before. The author brings to life her voice in a way that will wrap around your mind and hold you captive until the very last page.
The writing is unbelievably lyrical and poetic. It did a wonderful job at magnifying the emotions. Many of the jarring and raw descriptions stayed in my head long after I put the book down. I also liked how Anderson crosses out many words in the book to show Lia's struggle.
Wintergirls is a book that is very hard to digest, but so worth it if you do. It's a book that is read through the cracks of your fingers as you are covering your eyes. It will make you take a good look at your own relationship with food. Because no one would ever want to live life the way Lia does. I am very glad I read Wintergirls. A little piece of Lia and her story will forever be with me now.1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Euphoria13
Posted July 7, 2010
Wintergirls
The first book that i read by Laurie Halse Anderson was Speak, during my sophomore year of High School. I found the book to be well written and very good. When i found out about Wintergirls, i knew i had to read it! After spending the past 3 days reading it... i am just... really shocked and sort of at lost for words on how to describe just how powerful this book is!
Two young girls, best friends forever, under cold moonlight, cut and bind blood- making an oath to be the skinniest girl at their school. What seems to be an ordinary bet between friends reveals dangerous consequences as Lia's best friend Cassie is found dead in a motel room. Although the two drifted apart, Lia feels haunted by her best friend's spirit.
95 pounds is not enough for Lia- she still feels hideous and fat, she can feel the excess fat hanging on the sides of her body, she can taste and smell the calories within the food she is forced to eat. Although she was treated in the past, it was not enough to make her see the damage that she has done to herself. With Cassie gone, Lia has won the bet- but just how far can she pass that bet? What comes after a size zero? What happens when no one can understand Lia's torment?
Laurie Halse Anderson writing is very lyrical and raw in this book- especially of Lia's Character. Anorexia is a very dark and delicate subject to write or talk about- although we all know the physical damage that it does to a person, we don't really get to see or have a clear image of the mental and psychological effects it has. In this book, when we read from Lia's POV we can perfectly see her inner struggles. With every crossed out line of words in the pages, we can see how she fights herself from not eating, how she pushes herself so hard to obtain her weight goal.
It is both haunting and sad reading about Lia. No girl should have to endure such a torment for body image, no one should hurt themselves the way Lia does. This was a very well written book, for all of those who have read Speak, please take a look at Wintergirls!1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Left me wanting more
This book was amazing! I couldn't put it down at all and it left me wanting a second book, a third book and a fourth! I have the perfect song that goes with this book, I listened to it while I read it most of the time. July Flame by Laura Veirs. Great book! It's very unforgettable.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 5, 2010
Good Fast Read. Worth it.
Some of you may worry this book will trigger bad behavior or eating disorder but I think if it does there was already prexisting issue for that particular person. For me it made me ask myself how I felt about me and reflect a little, and I looked at food a little differently after just reading it but nothing changed. It was a positive experience in my opinion. Lia's character is very relatable and we can all connect with her on some level. She is funny and sarcastic, she comes alive. Laurie Halse Anderson did an amazing job on this.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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wow. simply wow.
This book is truly amazing. Having an eating disorder myself, I can relate to the inner thoughts and emotions of the main character, and it is an accurate discription of this particular predicament. This book is extremely edgy and emotional, and beautifully written. Not to mention the cover art was brilliant. Just couldn't put this book down, a great read for teens. However, I don't reccomend it to younger teens or girls at risk for an eating disorder, as it tends to get very triggering. Still one of my favorite books ever. Very well done.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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jessicuhh
Posted September 6, 2009
weeiird.
i found the book boring. the way the author wrote reminded me of poetry. but there was so much going on in the girl's head that i couldn't really grasp the story. if you want to learn how many calories food items have, then read this book.
1 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted August 30, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Very wierd
Winter girls was a very unusall and disturbing book. It was also very emotional, when i was reading i could feel her pain, lost, and anger. i would not recomend this book for people who like thriller, fantasy, or horror. But for someone who like emotional, strange, or depresing, this is a good book for you.
1 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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A Hard Read, Without a Doubt
I read this book knowing that it would be a hard topic to read about. The author's writing style is unique, crisp, & blunt as if the book itself was written out of the mind of a teenager. A realistic depiction of what a battle with anorexia is like, Wintergirls leaves you with both relief and a cold emptiness inside. I wouldn't suggest this book to someone who can't take the tough topic of anorexia, because the emotion and struggle written across every page is real enough to touch. A great work done by the author, but a word of caution should be given to anyone who wants just a 'good book to relax and read'. Wintergirls opens your eyes to what life from inside a block of ice is like, and how, even though everyone around you tells you that you need to stop, when your mind is set on getting you thinner and thinner, you can't stop even if you want to.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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