"Skin and Bones" by Sherry Shahan

In a wonderful twist on a YA story about eating disorders, Sherry Shahan addresses a multitude of hard-to-hear but important issues in an easy-to-read, 274 novel. Meet Jack, also known as "Bones," a teenager with anorexia. Bones enters into the world of an inpatient hospitalization program where he attempts to regain his control over food, shed his eating disorder, and learn to be at peace with a healthy lifestyle. While reluctant at first, Jack befriends his very overweight roommate (who dubs himself "Lard" based on his appearance) and a frail dancer who also has anorexia (Alice).

This book was good- not bad by any means- but definitely didn't have me jumping for joy. Let's work out a pros-and-cons list, shall we?

Pro: Addresses eating disorders at an appropriate level for YA readers
Con: Portrays an unrealistic inpatient hospitalization environment
The fact that the book addresses (1) eating disorders and (2) A MALE with anorexia is absolutely fantastic. This is something rarely captured in most literature, especially YA. However, the inpatient environment that Bones is put into is completely inaccurate and may skew some YA readers' visions of inpatient to be less serious than it actually is. Patients, while technically having many restrictions, are able to roam freely and sneak out without repercussion. They hang out on the roof (which would NEVER be allowed in ANY inpatient unit) and smoke (also wouldn't be allowed for teenagers). While I do agree that eating disorders need to be addressed differently in YA books and adult books, I think it is important to show a realistic hospital setting.

Pro: Shows the actual effects of anorexia (ie. Alice)
Con: Cuts off at an odd place which doesn't leave any room for closure with Alice
Alice was an easily-lovable character, at least for me. Within moments of the character's introduction, I felt sympathy and compassion for a little girl who just wanted to dance and be "perfect." I was nervous, however, that the book would turn into a boy-meets-girl boy-tells-girl-she's-beautiful girl-recovers kind of book. Thankfully, Shahan did a wonderful job of portraying the actual medical, physical effects of such a disorder (not just with Alice, but also with other characters). Specifically regarding Alice, the a character we love and are rooting for is just as vulnerable as everyone else to the effects of anorexia is a very important point. On a more literary note, I did not like how the Alice plotline was abruptly ended at the end of the book. While I was content with the endings for the other characters, I felt like Alice's was incomplete in a way. We kind of never really knew what had happened - I want to find out about dear, sweet Alice!

In general, it's a good read. I did really enjoy it! 3 stars.