Second star to the right by Deborah Hautzig

Walker Books, 2008. ISBN 9781406315493.
(Age 13+) Recommended.A hauntingly distressing book, made all the worse for it's a reality to anyone suffering anorexia nervosa. Leslie at 14 thinks that her life would be perfect if she was thin but as she says on page 69: 'I'll know when I'm thin because I'll be happy.' She has very high expectations of herself, well loved by her family and has a supportive good friend in Cavett. This is a revealing emotional ride for us all, especially as this is partly biographical. The sad journey takes Leslie from home to hospital where we leave her with others in a similar position, struggling to be able to eat again. The stark cover will draw many adolescent readers to look inside. It's a novel to share and discuss with young people
Sue Nosworthy