1. You’re not dead, but you’re not alive. You’re a wintergirl…

2. Laurie Halse Anderson Born on October 23, 1961 in Potsdam, New York
Began as a freelance reporter for newspapers and magazines
First published as a picture book writer
2008: ALAN Award
July 11, 2009: Young Adult Library Services Association presented her with the Margaret A. Edwards award
Other books:
Speak
Catalyst
Prom
Twisted
Fever 1793
Chains
Forge
And more…

3. Summary Time
Lia and Cassie were best friends and made a pact that together they would be the skinniest girls in their school. However, Cassie’s esophagus bursts due to frequently induced vomiting. Lia soon begins to be haunted by Cassie. She also continues to struggle with her body image and the way she treats herself mentally and physically. Along her journey of self-discovery, she meets Elijah. He tries to show Lia that it is inside yourself that matters, not what’s on the outside. However, Lia does not listen to him. At one point in the novel, Lia weighs lbs. Lia feels she is a disgrace to herself and the pact that was made and cuts herself terribly. She is then rushed to the hospital. While in the hospital, Lia accepts the fact that she is not living a healthy life and is hurting the people around her. She learns to ask for help for her problem. The last paragraph in the book says,
“I spin and weave and knit my words and visions until a life
starts to take shape. There is no magic cure, no making it all go
away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day,
an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn’t matter anymore.
I am thawing.”

4. The Pact
I took the knife out of my pocket and cut my palm, just a little.
“I swear to be the skinniest girl in school, skinnier than you.”
Cassie’s eyes got big as the blood pooled in my hand. She grabbed the knife and slashed her palm.
“I bet I’ll be skinnier than you.”
“No, don’t make it a bet. Let’s be skinniest together.”
“Okay, but I’ll be skinnier (179).”

5. THEMES Self-Discovery:
Throughout the book, Lia learns who she really is and who she wants to be. She does not want to be the girl everyone looks at weird. She wants to be a good daughter, friend, and a loving sister.
Friendship:
Although Lia loses Cassie, her best friend, she soon meets Elijah. Elijah shows her the real meaning of beauty and that you do not need to be stick skinny to get someone’s attention.
Health:
Throughout the book, Lia learns how to take care of her body safely so she doesn’t fall back into the “danger zone”.

6. The Lessons You Learn…
There are many lessons in this novel. One lesson is that you should never try to be something just because someone does not like the way you are. You are your own person and you should always do what makes you happy and comfortable. Another lesson from this novel was that eating disorders are not the way to go when trying to change your body image. If you want to change the way you look, eat healthy and exercise right and you will gain strength. Eating disorders cause too many problems with your health. A third lesson learned was to ask for help when you know something is wrong. For example, if you cannot eat something small without obsessing over the calories in it, ask someone for help. By talking to someone about your problems, you have a second opinion and a new outlook.

7. Questions? 1.) How can I create the world I want to live in?
Lia can create the world she wants to live in by stepping back
form her life and figuring out what she wants to change. She
can choose to get help with her eating disorder to become
healthy and participate in the activities she wants to. She
can still stay in shape, just the right way. Lia can also change
the attitude she has towards her family and the people she
meets. By surrounding yourself with a positive attitude and
positive people that want to help you, you will be more
inspired to help yourself and do what is right for yourself.
2.) How can I use my talents to create new opportunities for myself and others?
Since Lia decided to get help for her eating disorder, she can
now become healthy and help the people around her effectively.
She can use her talent of knitting to teach her little sister, Emma,
how to knit. She can also help Emma with her sports. They could
run together outside to stay in shape. She can also help her parents
get along better. Now that she is receiving treatment, Lia’s parents
will not have to constantly worry about her health and how she is
treating herself. They can concentrate on their own things or
can try and spend more time together doing fun things, not arguing.

8. Addition to Curriculum
“One or two out of every one hundred students will struggle with an eating disorder. Each year, thousands of teens develop eating disorders, or problems with weight, eating, or body image.”
-Michelle New, PhD. kidshealth.org
Wintergirls should be added to Kalamazoo Central High School’s curriculum. This novel focuses on health, friendship, and self-discovery. Wintergirls can also be used in more than one class. For example, it could be used in both English classes and Health classes since this novel deals with eating disorders. Also, in dealing with eating disorders, students will be exposed to the consequences that come with have an eating disorder.

9. fin