Book Review: Skin and Bones

Try this new book that deals with compulsive over-eating, bulimia, and anorexia...but with girls AND boys.

Skin and Bones

by Sherry Shahan

Jack "Bones" Plumb has anorexia.  Unable to help him, his family suggests he enter a hospital to try to be rehabilitated.  While in his ward, he meets a plethora of other teens dealing with a plethora of eating disorders, from compulsive overeating, anorexia, and bulimia.

"Lard" the over-eater becomes his friend and confidante, while Alice becomes the girl of his dreams.  But some people can't be saved. And if "Bones" isn't careful, the toxic people in his group with be his downfall, but his support could raise him up high enough to leave his disorder behind.

Not only are books about eating disorders necessary, the fact that this book's main character is a teen BOY is even more important.  Anorexia does not just affect girls, and Shahan does an incredible job explaining the thought process behind those individuals who struggle with anorexia--the calorie counting, the tricks to avoid eating butter, the exercises, the calorie absorption through the skin--all these things people with anorexia truly deal with and live their lives around.

This book is real--which means it will be difficult to read, so be ready for that.  But not only is this book informational and encourages awareness, it's a beautifully told story with strong characters that you are truly rooting for throughout the whole story.

I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone!