Parents' Guide to

Wintergirls

By Debra Bogart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Disturbing, lauded eating disorder read; discuss with teens.

Book Laurie Halse Anderson Body Awareness 2009
Wintergirls Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 10 parent reviews

mmmmmyeah
mmmmmyeah Adult
February 9, 2022
age 18+

Mixed feelings.

I'm 19, but I read this book for the first time at 16 when my eating disorder was first starting to develop. A few said this scared them into recovery, it did the opposite for me. I wanted to weigh as much as Lia did, I did all the things she did to lose weight. The ending didn't make me want to get better. I've seen a ton of people say this should be read by children to educate/scare them, but I disagree. It could very easily backfire. Aside from the triggering aspect, it was well written and I did relate to Lia. The story really hooked me in. I'm sure this book may help some people who are struggling, but I wouldn't suggest it to all.

This title has:

Educational value
Too much violence
1 person found this helpful.
Emmabtoe
Emmabtoe Adult
May 31, 2021
age 18+

A how to guide

Eating disorders thrive on competitiveness, and this book enables that. It is a how to guide on how to become thin, and methods to accomplish that. It goes into detail about the ways the girls would be thin or lose weight. I remember reading this when I was about 12 or 13, and it caused me so much harm, and I’m sure it has to others. It is unnecessary, and should be only read my mature adults, but even then it can inspire and really hurt those struggling with an ED. Overall, this book definitely does more harm than good.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Eighteen-year-old Lia wakes up to learn her former best friend, Cassie, has killed herself. The night she died she called Lia 33 times, and Lia didn't answer. In fifth grade, they were best friends, so close they swore to help each other be the skinniest girls in high school. When their eating disorders spiral out of control and repeated stays in treatment centers don't help, Lia finally distances herself from Cassie. Even though Lia can't give up her obsession with losing weight, she hates herself and relieves some of her mental anguish by cutting and self-medication. Her parents try to help but are easily fooled into believing she is better, even after Cassie dies from bulimia. Cassie continues to encourage Lia to starve herself even after she is dead by haunting her; and Lia's guilt helps drive her down into one more bout of starvation that sends her to the hospital again, where she is committed and treated for mental illness.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (10):
Kids say (35):

WINTERGIRLS is very painful to read and very, very powerful. It is not for the faint of heart, but fans of Laurie Halse Anderson may find it hard to resist. Teens will find it depressing -- parents will find it even more so -- but Anderson's beautiful and evocative writing will compel them to read to the end. Anderson says in an afterward that she wrote this book because of so many readers who asked her to write about eating disorders, cutting, and feeling lost. It's hard to imagine anyone doing a better job.

An innovative style of journal writing is used to further illustrate a troubled mind -- some pages are blank while others feature crossed out words. Lia references fairy tales and fairy tale images that will appeal especially to female readers. This story has more brutality than a fairy tale from the Grimm brothers. As Lia says, there is no magic cure for girls like her, but there is a tiny, potent thimbleful of hope in the end.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about body image, healthy self-image, and cultural expectations for women's bodies. Parents may want to read through Common Sense Media's body image tips for girls and women, and even for boys.

  • Do you think this book's discussion of eating disorders will help prevent them (and provide support for victims)... or do books like these cause more teens to try out the methods described here? What responsibility does an author have for what her readers do after reading her book?

  • Also, this book has an official trailer, just like a movie. Have you seen these for books before? What do you think of this marketing effort? How else can publishers let teens know about new books?

Book Details

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