Massive by Julia Bell

Had to interlibrary loan this from Walsh College or somewhere like that, but it was worth the wait. The story of a 14 year old girl whose mother is anorexic and dysfunctional, this book takes us very effectively to London and Manchester. Having been to the Elephant and Castle in London, the description of the shopping center where the girl's aunt works was so accurate that I felt I was back there.

The emphasis on food, or the lack of food, was painfully depicted. Eventually, to deal with her own life, (mother moves her away from friends and stepfather, is never home, introduces her to her birth father who is less than wholesome and grandmother who has a dysfunctional relationship with food as well-- she eats too mcuh) the girl starts to throw up everything she eats. While the ending was unresolved (except for some symbolic torturing of Barbie dolls), there is the feeling that the girl will get better. There are doubts about her mother.

A few bad words, but not until page 72, and used with discretion. This is such a good portrayal of problems with dieting that it is worth it. Only downside-- available only in Simon Pulse paperback.