Book about Anorexic girl

I read a really good book about a girl struggling with anorexia called The Best Little Girl in the World.  It is by Steven Levenkron. I don't want to give out any details on it but I absolutely loved this book.  I felt like I was reading my life story.  If you have suffered from anorexia you should read this book. 

There is also a book by the same author about a girl who cuts herself.  I just started reading that one.   

Is reading books like that really helping you?

I loved that book!  I read it when I was very young, around 11 or so, and it really illustrated an eating disorder in a way that wasn't disgusting (like textbooks can be), but gentle enough to warn a young girl about the dangers.  My mom passed it on to me to read so we could address some of the issues that she went through, and even though I do have food issues, I learned a lot about the negative effects of diet extremities, like starving yourself or over-exercising.  I plan to pass the book on to my daughter when she is ready.

Side of caution:

I've read the book, and it is VERY triggering. I DO NOT reccommend anyone reading this book that is still facing an eating disorder... It's really good, but I think only those who have recovered, or do not have an ed should read it... 

for me those books are very triggering, and they were the only books i read during my lowest point in my ED. I wouldn't recommend that anyone reads them if they are easily triggered. They ARE great books though, but they are for some people, and not for others like me. lol. I'm glad they help you.

Original Post by rstrehle85:

 I plan to pass the book on to my daughter when she is ready.

 Personally, I think today's children need more positive inspiration & constructive role models.  Distressing mental conditions like anorexia and self-harm  do not make good bedtime reading.  I prefer to offer my child books that fire his imagination, make him laugh, make him think or stretch his understanding of the world.   For the dangerous things that can quickly ruin an innocent young life.... strangers, drugs, cigarettes etc., we parents should talk to them face to face in language they can relate to and not hide behind books like cowards.

Children who have self-confidence and who feel valued and loved will be able to handle life's challenges with resilience. 

GI-Jane,

I also believe in making my daughter think and use her imagination, mostly because she is 2.  When she is ushered into her teenage years, I don't think it will be necessary to shelter her from anything.  I work for my county's Social Service Agency and I have vowed to keep my child informed about the dangers that life can bring so she can better protect herself.  I don't meant to say that I will depress her all the time with my stories of hardship that my clients will face, nor will I come home and tell a 8-year-old about the things I hear.  There is a balance and a happy medium between giving a child a happy childhood and ruining said childhood.

Seeing as "distressing mental conditions" are real life, I see no harm in introducing such topics in outlets such as books.  Key idea here is "Introduce"; I don't plan to toss her the book and say "Here kid, handle your business". 

I don't disagree with you but the person who read it aged 11 and was 'planning to pass it on' to her daughter sounded exactly like they were just going to toss over the book....  I'd be very concerned if kids were reading these kinds of things in isolation - in a school library, for example - without some kind of follow-up adult conversation to put the subject into perspective.   Otherwise they can easily read something intended as a 'dire warning' and interpret it as a 'cool idea'....   More than one person has already described it as 'triggering'.  Having seen a post yesterday http://caloriecount.about.com/name-all-things -youve-tried-lose-ft128122  from someone who saw a film about bulimia (presumably with all its horrors) and then decided that laxative abuse made a lot of sense as a weight-loss technique I think books like these can have unintended consequences.  

steven levenkron also wrote a follow up book to the story called "kessa" it is  all about her therapy after the hospital.  both books are really good.  just in case you didn't know "the best little girl in the world" was made into a movie.  while not as good as the book, i still enjoyed it.. it happens to be on you tube.

of course the movies can be just as 'triggering'.

i have to say the follow up book 'kessa' seemed less triggering...

Original Post by gi-jane:

I don't disagree with you but the person who read it aged 11 and was 'planning to pass it on' to her daughter sounded exactly like they were just going to toss over the book....

 Well, I was the one who is planning on passing it on to my daughter, so you apparently misunderstood my words.  Not too hard a task seeing that a person can't read much emotion or meaning from web posts...

I understand that books and films about eating disorders can be triggering, just like seeing drug or alcohol abuse or violence on TV or in movies can be.  Anything that you let your child be exposed to can have "unintended consequences", and I do definitely agree with you that as a parent, you must address such issues with the child in order for him or her to understand the danger of each.