The Stone Girl

The Stone Girl by Alyssa B. Sheinmel
high school & up

Sethie is in danger and she doesn't even know it. She is dissatisfied with her life and to compensate she is coming perilously close to an eating disorder. It seems easier to control what she eats (or doesn't) than to deal with life. One of her problems is her not-quite-boyfriend. There is also the stress of applying to college and keeping up her grades.


I read this because I loved Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. Eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia & emotional eating) are way too common.
I like that it gives a different view of the eating disorder. Instead of focusing on a girl who has already developed a full blown problem, this one is about a girl who is headed in that direction but hasn't arrived yet. I also thought it seemed very realistic. Sethie may not be the most kick-ass strong female but I imagine there are plenty of Sethies roaming the halls of any high school.
At times, I just wanted to shake Sethie about the guy she liked. As much as it bugged me it was probably realistic too. High school is a time when girls, especially the insecure ones, will ignore a lot of their common sense to have a boyfriend.
I would recommend to parents of high school girls and to the girls themselves.

Verdict: must get