There is a section after the novel with some basic tips on healthy body image as well as information about and help for those with eating disorders. It’s starting to annoy me that most of the “disability” books I see are all about straight white people. White-bread all the way as well as the in-built assumption that all characters are white and straight. Part of the book deals with the very real loss these three non-Jewish women face by ignoring the traditions that had become important to their family.īeyond that and the disorders, this book is not very diverse. Isabelle’s father was Jewish, but when he died her mother not only removed all photographs of him, they also stopped celebrating Jewish holidays and traditions. One unexpected aspect I really enjoyed was the Jewish subplot. The descriptions of food made me hungry every time I picked it up. This book could definitely be a trigger for students who suffer from eating disorders or have in the past. While at first Isabelle and April comforted each other, now all three women in the house have huge disconnections. Isabelle’s feelings towards April have become downright hostile and violent ever since April reported that Isabelle was forcing herself to throw up. Her aunt and female cousin, and other friends from school and group therapy are also present. Most of the book focuses on Isabelle’s relationship with her sister April, mother, and friend Ashley. The one male character who has any plot is mainly a joke. It is, if the pink cover didn’t give it away, aimed entirely at girls. This is a fast-paced novel and very realistic. I’m glad I read this library book because I definitely won’t be checking this out to fourth or even most fifth graders. Some of my students were reading it so I wanted to see why it was so popular. But as sessions pass, Isabelle starts seeing the cracks in Ashley’s, and her own, life. Because Ashley is perfect – every girl wants to be her and every guy wants to date her. Then pretty, popular, smart, wealthy Ashley Barnum walks into group, and Isabelle knows there has to be a mistake.
Sure, her little sister caught her throwing up one time, but it’s not like she isn’t handling her dad’s death just fine. Isabelle Lee cannot believe her mom is forcing her to go to group therapy. Milkweed Editions, Minneapolis MN, 2004, reprinted Scholastic, NY, 2006.
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