Jake is an 8th grader with a Voice (with a capital V) in his head that tells him he is repulsive, he is worthless, he doesn't deserve to take up space. The Voice has taken over his life--and the Voice tells Jake not to eat. Jake weighs himself over and over and over and the lower the number on the scale the better he feels about himself. Jake exercises constantly, lies about his eating, and deals with almost constant bullying at school. Early on in this novel in verse, Jake is taken to Whispering Pines, a residential treatment center, to help him deal with his eating disorder. This is the story of his recovery, his love for his grandma, and his dream of seeing a Broadway show someday. It gives readers an inside look at group therapy and counseling and the long process of healing. This is a rare book that is written right at the middle school level and I think it will be devoured by 6th-8th graders whether they are curious about eating disorders or dealing with mental health issues of their own or their friends. It deals with hard topics and there is deep sadness, but it is ultimately a story of survival and hope. Readers will empathize with Jake and some lives may even be saved by this honest and direct story. It is a novel, but closely based on author John Schu's life experience, and it rings true. Highly recommended for middle schoolers.
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