Girl in Pieces

Much of the violence in the book isn't shown but is described or discussed in flashback, including verbal and physical bullying, attempted suicide, cutting, burning, and other forms of self-harm. Charlie describes violent aspects of life on the streets, including attacks on her and violence on the part of her friends. One of the employees at the treatment facility is verbally abusive and makes sexually suggestive comments to the patients. Charlie uses a chair as a weapon and kicks at furniture in the hospital. Charlie recounts her mom hitting her on a few occasions and Charlie hitting her back. Charlie and Riley get physically rough with each other a few times.

Much is made of Charlie's crushes and sexual attraction to a few different characters. A doctor and patient are caught having sex at the treatment center, but it isn't shown. Charlie recounts listening to her friend have sex with a boy. A teen character has a sexual relationship with a man 10 years older than she, and a few of the sex scenes are described in detail. Charlie describes seeing two people having sex in a kitchen.

Frequent swearing by many of the characters in the book, but it fits the rough-around-the-edges aspect of the characters. Swearing includes "f--k" and its variations, "s--t" and its variations, "goddamn," "Jesus," "p---y," "bitch," "a--hole," "tits," "piss," "Christ," "ass," and "crappy."

Many characters drink, smoke, and do drugs, including meth and heroin, or have in the past. Much of the story deals with the problem facing characters who have had or currently have substance-abuse problems, so characters are depicted high and/or drunk or talking about past experiences. None of it is glamorized, and the story shows the devastating effect drugs and alcohol can have on people and those around them. The issue of enabling substance abusers features in the story, too.

Parents need to know that Girl in Pieces is an intense look at the life of a teen who self-harms, her road to recovery, and the people she meets along the way. The book opens with Charlie Davis in a treatment facility, in a ward with other women who engage in self-harm, including cutting and burning. Once out of the facility, she has to figure out how to create a new life when she hasn't fully dealt with the family issues and loss that drive her self-destructive behavior. The book's an honest look at how people end up in desperate situations. The subject matter is gritty. In addition to the characters who self-harm, Girl in Pieces portrays alcoholics, drug addicts, the homeless, and others struggling to get through life. None of the drinking, drugs, or smoking is glorified. Several of the characters have endured trauma and messed-up home lives. Much of the violence is told in flashback and isn't graphic, but there are a few intense scenes of pushing and grabbing. Sexual attraction plays a large role in the book, and a few sex scenes are borderline graphic. The story is thought-provoking and provides great discussion points around empathy for people struggling with serious issues and the concept of enabling.