Light Enough to Float

September 1, 2024
A girl's experience of being hospitalized with anorexia illuminates the complicated nature of treating eating disorders. This skillfully crafted verse novel follows white 14-year-old Evie, who's recently been diagnosed with "extreme malnourishment" due to anorexia, as she enters and completes a course of a few months of inpatient treatment. Evie is placed on a strict and steadily increasing calorie regimen, and as she improves, she meets others who are struggling with eating disorders, learning how diverse these patients' backgrounds are and how varied the presentation of their disorders can be. As Evie works through therapy and makes strides toward going home, she worries that she won't be able to maintain her progress on the outside--a not-unfounded fear, which, combined with the range of secondary characters' experiences, gives Seal the opportunity to show readers why eating disorders can be so hard to treat. The story is informed by the author's own life, lending tenderness and understanding to its insights. The spare details support strong characterization: Evie's mother's good (but poorly expressed) intentions and her sister's open, vulnerable conversations illustrate well how family members can hurt or help recovery efforts. Readers who are grappling with these issues may find it difficult to read about specific calorie counts as well as the explicit descriptions of dangerously familiar patterns of thought and unhealthy weight-loss strategies. A realistically complex yet hopeful account of eating disorder treatment. (author's note, resources)(Verse fiction. 13-18)

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October 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 Evie can't quiet the voices in her head telling her to count calories and that she's a burden on her family. After she's dropped off at a treatment hospital for eating disorders, Evie is being watched while she eats, attending therapy sessions, and feeling more alone than ever. As her treatment continues, she slowly opens herself to the people around her and accepts the help she needs. In this raw novel in verse, Evie's concern about food and taking up space is fueled by her anxiety, which also has her picking at her scalp. The story unfolds with sparse details, and while by the end Evie finds hope, things aren't wrapped up in a nice bow. Readers should proceed with caution about the sensitive and painful details shared about Evie's journey, but this could be a good pick for those wanting to understand what others are going through. An emotionally complex novel that that will stick in readers' minds.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 18, 2024

Gr 7 Up-Fourteen-year-old Evie feels like a toddler when her mom tries to coerce her to eat "just three more bites." She is admitted to an in-patient facility specializing in disordered eating after her anorexia results in severe malnourishment. Evie struggles to find a sense of control in her new world of assigned calorie loading, therapy, and facing her own fears. Connecting with her in-patient peers is also a piece of her healing journey, which can look different for everybody. The novel-in-verse format is an excellent fit for Evie's narrative, as the line breaks, brief chapters, metaphors, and intimate inner monologue provide insight to her plight and suit the character-driven plot. The storyline addresses the effect her mental health and eating disorder have not only on Evie herself but also on her whole family. This emphasizes the importance of an extensive support system for recovery, both clinically and at home. Authenticity shines through; this is inspired by the author's own experiences and is not a glamorized media version of being "thin." Specific daily calorie counts are listed, which can be unnerving for readers with a history of battling conditions that parallel Evie's. Weight/specific numbers on the scale are not detailed. A content advisory encourages readers to step away if needed for ED-related triggers, and resources for help are provided. VERDICT Authentic and impactful.-Lisa Krok

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