Kristi's+Book+Rationale

Wintergirls by Laurie Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson’s Young Adult novel, //Wintergirls//, tackles many touchy issues today’s teens could face. Anderson’s main protagonist, Lia, deals with coping with the loss of her childhood friend, Cassie; her raging eating disorder that threatens to tear her life apart, and the sometimes suffocating seeming support of her family. Anderson writes in a very frank, in-your-face manner that does not hide the truth. She speaks clearly of the tumultuous emotions Lia faces every day. Nothing is sugar coated. While this type of novel is not suitable for a younger secondary audience, (grades 6-10), it can be used as a contemporary piece suitable for introducing high school Juniors and Seniors to the these issues that seem to be plaguing teens more and more.

 Anderson’s //Wintergirls// is a suitable choice to be integrated into the 11th and 12th grade curriculum for many reasons. Anderson’s protagonist speaks in a strong, mature voice that can be easily relatable for teens. Though Anderson does not sugarcoat Lia’s problems, she also does not go so far in depth as to scare away readers. What she does provide is a tough-- yet safe-- novel that has the potential to open many doors that would allow students to voice concerns, ask questions, and have an open dialogue on eating disorders and the death of a friend. This novel may also act as a gateway to teach students healthy coping mechanisms in times of great stress. While the subject matter will, no doubt, be hard for some to handle (parents included), Anderson’s novel is an important piece of Young Adult literature that will allow students to explore difficult problems in a safe environment.