Wintergirls

Laurie Halse Anderson

Mar 2009 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

The New York Times bestselling story of a friendship frozen between life and death.

“A fearless, riveting account of a young woman in the grip of a deadly illness.” —The New York Times

Lia and Cassie are best friends, wintergirls frozen in fragile bodies, competitors in a deadly contest to see who can be the thinnest. But then Cassie suffers the ultimate loss—her life—and Lia is left behind, haunted by her friend's memory and racked with guilt for not being able to help save her. In her most powerfully moving novel since Speak, award-winning author Laurie Halse Anderson explores Lia's struggle, her painful path to recovery, and her desperate attempts to hold on to the most important thing of all: hope.

Ratings and reviews

I recommended this book because its touching and changed the way i think an view about my body. It was also a heart breaking story but it teaches you how to value what good things you have. There really is no such thing as perfect, there's just you and other people you don't have to be labeled as skinny or fat. Just feel comfortable in your own skin. This book brought tears to my eyes its about a girl who suffers from a eating disorder and the tragic death of her best friend. Items can be replaced but your body can not. You will absolutely fall in love with this heart breaking and lesson teaching book.

As someone who struggles with an eating disorder, when this was recommended to me, I was warned it was going to be a heavy read. Triggering, even. Instead, I found myself deeply relating to the main character, Lia, and desperately wishing her to get better while also understanding the mindset that came with the issue at hand. My mother is a doctor too, and like Lia, I've had to deal with her being overbearing and controlling to the point of me actively avoiding her- the scenes where Lia was forced to eat something in front of her mother and was just trying not to argue with her were some of the most deeply relatable in my life. I have suffered almost the same exact scenarios, and the way Lia is so cynical and upset about the things that happen- it truly is just being malnourished, and part of you /knows/ that, which makes it worse. All in all, I loved it. I didn't find it triggering, just a book I could heavily relate to. Def will reread.

Although very dramatic at times and creepy...it leaves you clinging to your chair. I know many girls who have had an anorexic past or are right now...and I have to say that Laurie Halse Anderson does a great job and portraying Lia's character... Sometimes the book is a little predictable, but, altogether good.

About the author

Laurie Halse Anderson has received both the Margaret Edwards Award and the ALAN Award for her contributions to young adult literature. She has also been honored by the National Coalition Against Censorship in recognition of her fight to combat the censoring of literature. She is the author of the groundbreaking National Book Award finalist and Printz Honor Book Speak. She is also author of the critically acclaimed YA books Prom, Twitsted, Catalyst, Wintergirls, and The Impossible Knife of Memory. She has also authored a number of middle grade titles including The Vet Volunteers series, and the historical fiction Seeds of America Trilogy, which includes Forge, ALA Best Book for Young Adults Fever 1793, and the National Book Award finalist and Scott O’Dell Award-winner Chains. She and her husband live in northern New York State. Follow Laurie on Twitter @halseanderson and visit her at madwomanintheforest.com.