Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Book Summery:
“Dead girl walking,” the boys say in the halls.
“Tell us your secret,” the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame.

Lia and Cassie were best friends, wintergirls frozen in matchstick bodies. But now Cassie is dead. Lia's mother is busy saving other people's lives. Her father is away on business. Her step-mother is clueless. And the voice inside Lia's head keeps telling her to remain in control, stay strong, lose more, weigh less. If she keeps on going this way—thin, thinner, thinnest—maybe she'll disappear altogether. -goodreads.com

Book Trailer:



Book Review:
I had just finished reading Laurie Halse Anderson's first novel, Speak, when I knew I had to read more of her work. I promptly went to the bookstore and picked up a copy of Wintergirls. Honestly, this one was a little harder for me to get into. I think I was able to identify a bit more with the main character of Speak. Also, I am not a big fan of reading about eating disorders. However, once I was completely enveloped into the story, it was damn near impossible to set down. I would get home after working a 12+ hour shift and settle into a good hour of reading before I couldn't hold up my eyelids any longer. This may not seem significant, but let me tell you when you are working 12 hour night shifts, an hour of reading before bed is practically a miracle.

I found Wintergirls to have a rather haunting tone. My biggest issue (as stated above) was my difficulty with identifying with the main character, Lia. My biggest obsession was two-fold. One, I desperately wanted to know what actually happened to Cassie. This is what pressed me to flip page after page, even when I was dog tired from work. Two, I wanted to know the underlying issue(s) that were going on with Lia. Why was she starving/hurting herself? What caused this behavior? Would she be able to stop this behavior and start living the life she deserved? Overall, this book left me speechless. Though I had a difficult time understanding Lia, I was definitely able to empathize for her. It takes an amazing writer to be able to do that and Anderson delivers. Her haunting prose are beautiful and will leave you thinking about the story long after you turn the last page.

Favorite Quote:

"WhatWhyWhenHowWho?WhatWhyWhenHowWho?WhatWhyWhenHowWho?

What am I afraid of? Why cant I even want to get better? When am I me and how do I know that and who would I be if I did what they want?

How did I get like this?" (p. 215)

Cover Art Commentary:
My favorite thing about this cover is the color. I also like the concept of the girl trapped in ice. It reminds me of Lia, trapped in her own body, unable to control her thoughts and actions at times.

Overall Rating:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Book Summery:
Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found that it's been getting harder and harder for her to speak out loud: "My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It's like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis." What could have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors' big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it's because her parents' only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep down she knows the real reason why she's been struck mute... -goodreads.com

Movie-based-on-the-book Trailer:



Book Review:
Raw. Emotional. Honest. Those are just a few of the many words that I would chose to describe Speak. I initially picked up this book in honor of banned books week (though, I know I'm running late at this point), expecting a violent, horrific story about rape. Instead, I read an emotional journey that Melinda took, exercising her right not to speak. Do I agree with all the choices she made? No. But that's life isn't it? Nothing's entirely perfect. Do I respect the choices she made in effort to cope with life events? Yes. Reading Speak took me back to the halls of high school and the hell they contain. Reading Speak was like breathing fresh air. Though sometimes raw, Melinda's story was honest, brave, and captivating. I highly recommend this one if you haven't already read it. For more information, check out Laurie Halse Anderson's website, found here.

Favorite Quote (Believe me, there are many to choose from):

"The First Ten Lies They Tell You In High School
1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have enough time to get to your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.

5. Our football team will win the championship this year.

6. We expect more of you here.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.
8. Your schedule was created with your needs in mind.

9. Your locker combination is private.
10. These will be the years you look back on fondly. " (p. 5-6)

Cover Art Commentary:
The cover of this book is rich with meaning. Most obviously, the girl has no mouth to "speak" from. The tree covering the girls face is symbolic to the story in more ways than one. Also, you'll note the her face softly fades into the background. Simple, yet powerful, this cover art offers a great amount of information for those who seek it.

Overall Rating: