Warning: Rated PG-13

This book is absolutely amazing. Anderson tells an emotional story of a girl named Lia who is trapped in the eating disorder anorexia. All she can think about is food. How much she’s going to eat. How many calories? How much she weighs. All she cares about is food and less about what is actually going on in her life. Cassie, Lia’s best friend died. The thought of it being all her fault makes Lia starve herself more. As Lia’s story unravels, she loses more weight, loses touch with her family, and almost loses her sanity.

Warning: Rated PG-13

Speak is amazing. As soon as I started reading it I was captivated. This book is about Melinda Sordino, who called 911 at a high school end of the summer bonfire party only a few weeks before she started her freshman year. No one knows specifically why Melinda called the police, but all her old friends hate her because of it. For Melinda, the only way to express herself is through art. As the school year progresses, Melinda has decided to stay quiet, not even speaking to her family. Melinda’s grades descend and she starts to skip school. In the end, Melinda reveals what happened the night of the party, and what caused her to go silent. But then she realizes she should have spoken up in the first place.

Warning: Rated PG-13

Twisted is another really good book by Laurie Halse Anderson. In the book, she tells the story of Tyler Miller, the boy who was never noticed. But before his junior year in high school ended, he vandalized the school and got in big trouble. The community service he is demanded to do over the summer turns him into a ‘tough guy’. Tyler realizes that being noticed isn’t everything. In his roller-coaster-like experience in senior year, he has to deal with his angry father, as well as he doubts himself. His one choice will change it all.