Food and body image are problems for high school senior Albany Davis. This powerful book shows the full spectrum of her life. Anorexia is serious, but it isn’t her entire life. Too often, people are reduced to their mental health issues. Read this book to get beyond the labels.
Author Emma Jane doesn’t sugarcoat anything. This book confronts anorexia, single parents, financial stress, rape, Down syndrome, math anxiety, bullying, consent, and situationships. How does Albany address a world with numerous challenges? Many people support her. Cheerleader Cheyenne has been her friend since elementary school. Her single mother. The high school counselor provides a safe space on difficult days. The math teacher offers lunchtime tutoring. The non-judgmental therapist. The friendly Mechanical Engineering nerd. The nurses in the hospital. The good boyfriend. There are no cartoon superheroes, but a realistic army of carers doing their small, but critical, parts.
Albany isn’t the only one with challenges. Fighting got Dylan Wynne kicked out of his high school. His sixteen-year-old brother Riley has Down syndrome. Like Albany, Riley doesn’t let his challenges define his life. Just as this book shows Albany to be more than her anorexia, Riley is more than his Down syndrome. Riley is another team member who guides Albany towards recovery.
In addition to offering hope to people with eating disorders, this book also confronts math anxiety. Albany’s struggles in her precalculus class. Sexual predator Luke uses this to victimize Albany. First, he is the tutor, and then he is a rapist. Rape, math anxiety, anorexia… Albany learns that none of these can be dealt with in isolation.
High school is more than first dates, gossiping, and prom, but those are also part of it. This book is a fast read and a wonderful insight into the reality of recovery.
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for Omega Cat Press books and book recommendations.
