(4) YA It's 1988 in this autobiographical novel, and fifteen-year-old Jennifer is in a psychiatric hospital for bulimia and anorexia. The free verse and prose narratives cover her stay in the hospital, therapy sessions, treatment plans, and workbook pages. This affecting look at disordered eating, alcoholism, depression, and recovery ambitiously tries to tackle too much, resulting in a rather uneven and over-long story.

Reviewer: Amanda Mc. MacGregor

(4) YA Investigating Diseases series. In each volume, seven or eight chapters present facts about the title disease: how it develops or is transmitted, its symptoms, history, prevention, research, and hope for future treatment. The texts are accurate but dry and somewhat repetitive. Influenza relentlessly hammers home the need for vaccination. Text boxes present additional information and a few personal stories. Small photographs break up the pages. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Investigating Diseases titles: Investigating Diabetes, Investigating Eating Disorders, Investigating STDs, Investigating Influenza and Bird Flu, Investigating Tuberculosis and Superbugs, and Investigating Depression and Bipolar Disorder.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Sophie would rather forget her sister's death, but her therapist won't let her, suggesting she write in a journal. What starts out as a daily recap of the sixteen-year-old's life turns into an outpouring of feelings about her panic attacks, guilt, and deteriorating relationships, in addition to offering a creative outlet. Readers will be drawn to Sophie's realistically emotional voice.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(3) YA In this graphic novel, "Stacy Black" (thinly veiled alter-ego of author Tracy White) checks into a psychiatric hospital after an act of self-mutilation. There she works through her drug use, depression, bulimia, mother issues, and sexual abuse. The story is told mainly from Stacy's perspective, with her friends and therapists occasionally chiming in. Stark black-and-white cartoon-panel illustrations reflect Stacy's state of mind.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) YA Lia, an anorexic and cutter, hears that her estranged friend Cassie was found dead in a motel room--after leaving Lia thirty-three messages. Cassie's death tips the already fragile Lia into a vortex of self-destruction. Anderson conveys Lia's illness vividly through her dark, fantastic thoughts. This stream-of-consciousness, first-person, present-tense work is tangled and illuminating.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2009

(4) YA Through journal entries and conversations, sixteen-year-old Janie, a bulimic, describes her stay in a psychiatric hospital. The story centers on Janie's therapy sessions and the conflicts between patient groups (e.g., the Barfers and the Starvers). While Janie's recovery is a bit too quick, Littman's portrayal of the issues surrounding eating disorders is honest and effective. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) YA Disease Update series. Stories of people who overcame these complex conditions precede chapters on their histories, manifestations, diagnoses, and treatments. Frequent personal stories (some of well-known sufferers, as summarized in the awkwardly titled chart "Some Famous People with Mood Disorders"), sidebars, and color photos break up the otherwise dry, factual texts. A question-and-answer section concludes each book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Disease Update titles: The Depression and Bipolar Disorder Update and The Eating Disorders Update.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(3) YA Stunned by her father's death and her mother's inability to cope, thirteen-year-old Isabelle develops bulimia as a way to gain some control in her life. Isabelle's mother quickly finds out and forces Isabelle into group therapy to face her behavior. Realistic description and dialogue and sincerely portrayed emotions deliver a strong message about self-image and family.

Reviewer: Lauren Maggio

(4) YA Hot Issues series. This overview of beauty standards for women is part social history, part self-help book, and part scold (it's clear where the author stands on cosmetic surgery, etc.). The sections on eating disorders and media culpability don't break new ground, but passages contrasting different cultures' beauty norms are fascinating and persuasive. Photos of stylish women through the ages accompany the text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Hot Issues series. If they get past the dull covers, teens writing school reports or looking for specific help and information will find that these two books present their topics clearly and reasonably thoroughly. Byers's stories about actual individuals are less successful because of their didactic and dire tone; Goodnough's are more balanced. Color photos and illustrations are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) YA Teen Issues series. In a clear, readable style the author explores the basic issues surrounding eating disorders in teenagers, including pressures to be thin, treatment, and prevention. The text is filled with quotes from a range of sources, and the personal stories will be of the greatest interest to readers, though the textbook format may limit readership to report writers. Black-and-white photos illustrate the book. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) YA Twenty-first Century Medical Library series. Readers will be drawn to case histories of seven eating-disordered individuals--male and female, teen and adult--illuminating chapters on symptoms, causes, treatments, effects on family and friends, and struggle to overcome anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive eating. Black-and-white photos are unimaginative but add a visual component to this clearly written book about a subject particularly important to teens. A list of resources is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges