Product Description

Winner of the David St John Thomas Charitable Trust, 2007
Children's Award.

"Something changes. It's so sudden it's like a bus has charged down the
road and hit me straight in the face.

I have a plan.

I could lose weight."

All Jasmine Harwood has ever wanted is a true friend, a best friend. But
Corisande isn't trustworthy. In fact, sometimes Corisande doesn't act like
she wants to be Jasmine's friend at all. With Cori's bullying, almost every
day turns into hell. That is until Jasmine finds an escape...

A dangerous obsession begins. A world of anorexia and silence.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #124598 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

From the Publisher
Winner of the David St John Thomas Charitable Trust, 2007
Children's Award.

Customer Reviews

Somewhere
I am not a teenager but as I have an interest in anorexia I decided to read this book.

It follows three years of Jasmine's life (as EDd people know, an ED does not come and go in a short period of time). She faces emotional bullying and as a result struggles to deal with life. She then falls into the trap of anorexia without really realising or understanding it.

There are some stunning scenes that had me at the edge of my seat unable to put the book down. It becomes apparent at the end of the novel what `the echo glass' actually stands for (there are various suggestions throughout which makes you think you've worked it out earlier but the real meaning comes later). Once Jasmine understands what the Echo Glass is the way is made clear for a possible step towards recovery. The book realistically deals with an eating disorder and as a result does not have the cliched `happy ending,' (as many are aware these certainly don't occur over night!) The hint of optimism and a possible way forward are apparent but we are never sure if Jasmine takes this route or not (though the ending is far from depressing as we feel Jasmine has a new understanding). What we do know is that she has learnt what it is inside her and that she has the support of true friends.

The book is not only realistic in its dealings with eating disorders and bullying but it gives insight into the way that EDd people think. The imagery throughout gives depth. It also deals with therapy in an interesting and thought-provoking way.

All in all I would recommend this book.

Super read - of particular interest to those inolved with anorexia
I like the unselfconscious flow and pace the author has carefully constructed to help support the story in this book. It reminds me of my own school life - even though that was more than 20 years ago now. It makes the whole book feel familiar and easy to read. It captures something of the momentum of school life - which keeps moving gently but ceaselessly on, whatever else may be happening in one's life. Life at school is about being thrown together with many individuals: some of whom one will inevitably never like.

The story of Jasmine is cleverly told by splicing journal entries that reveal some of the internal, personal conversations that we all have with first person narrative that take the reader through the daily experiences that build her life at home and at school.

It carefully depicts Jasmine's thoughts and experiences that lead towards her development of anorexia and tells the story from her perspective and her understanding. This is not the text of an outsider looking in. It is clearly written by someone who has a good understanding of what events and temperament may cause the symptoms of anorexia and as such should be considered a truly helpful read to anyone who is involved with the condition - both young and old - who are trying to understand it.

As a parent, I was touched at the scene where Morrall describes the events that lead Jas to consider taking pills in an attempt at suicide. One realises the strength of bond between parent and child, the huge emotions at play in teenagehood and also the very thin line between trying to do the right thing - trying to help - and the possibilities of getting parenting decisions horribly wrong and just making things worse. The whole scene left me feeling more than a little emotional at just how complex anorexia and its resolution may be.

It is appropriate that this book is written by a young author, not a much older person trying to portray teenage life. This perspective of understanding reveals much to its' potential audience. It is a credit to Morrall that she has been able to achieve this at such a young age. Ultimately though, this book is not just about understanding: it is about hope. The growing inclusion of Jasmine's interaction with a therapist is cleverly developed to produce a new, fresh and intriguing perspective.

There are about half a dozen occasions in the book where Morrall's writing relaxes somewhat from the structure that works so well to convey the momentum of school life. Perhaps she becomes more confident too - but it is clear to see from these small sections that she has both the creative ideas and the intellectual depth that promise some interesting and powerful writing in the future.

I am glad to have read this story and will follow the work of this author.

Great read
Perfect for teenagers or for adults. Really gives an insight into the complexities of eating disorders.