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Wintergirls: Library Edition — Content Guide for Parents

By Laurie Halse AndersonBrilliance Audio Lib Edn2009ISBN 97816084750877 pages
Wintergirls: Library Edition

Themes present

Violence
Scary content
Sexual identity
Gender roles

Not found

Religious themesRacial/cultural contentProfanityClimate changeLGBTQ+ themes

Content themes

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

“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 stepmother 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. In her most emotionally wrenching, lyrically written book since the National Book Award finalist Speak, best-selling author Laurie Halse Anderson explores one girl's chilling descent into the all-consuming vortex of anorexia. Winner of the Margaret A. Edwards Award 2009

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Wintergirls: Library Edition appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book contains self-perpetrated violence as the characters, Lia and Cassie, engage in self-harm and abuse their bodies through eating disorders. This includes graphic depictions of their physical deterioration and the impact of their actions. The book is described as intense and disturbing, dealing with the psychological and physical pain of eating disorders. The themes of death and self-harm may be frightening for some readers, particularly younger audiences.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have violence?

    The book contains self-perpetrated violence as the characters, Lia and Cassie, engage in self-harm and abuse their bodies through eating disorders. This includes graphic depictions of their physical deterioration and the impact of their actions.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have scary content?

    The book is described as intense and disturbing, dealing with the psychological and physical pain of eating disorders. The themes of death and self-harm may be frightening for some readers, particularly younger audiences.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have religious themes?

    No religious content in the book itself. The search results mention personal reflections on faith but do not indicate any religious practices or themes in the narrative.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have racial/cultural content?

    No explicit racial themes or discussions in the book. The narrative focuses on personal struggles with eating disorders rather than race-related issues.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have profanity?

    No explicit profanity mentioned in the book. The search results do not indicate the presence of any strong language.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have climate change?

    No climate-related themes or discussions present in the book. The focus is primarily on mental health and eating disorders.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have sexual identity?

    The narrative includes references to sexual themes, particularly in the context of body image and self-perception. Lia shows her emaciated body to a character, which is described in a non-sexual yet intimate manner, highlighting her struggles with body image.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have gender roles?

    The book explores themes related to gender expectations and body image, particularly how societal standards affect young women. It addresses the pressures faced by female characters regarding their appearance and worth.

  • Does Wintergirls: Library Edition have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes or characters explicitly mentioned in the book's narrative. The search results reference the book's focus on eating disorders and mental health rather than LGBTQ+ content.