Unbearable Lightness: a story of loss and gain by Portia de Rossi

Although this is very much an adult story, weight conciousness is something that beings very young. This very frank account of her eating disorder that ruled her life for decades relates her years of anorexia, bulemia and overexercising, the trouble they caused her and how she is healing. Not healed, by any means. She quite openly admits that she's still struggling and dealing with issues.

Eating disorders aren't pretty. Portia de Rossi doesn't glamourise her years of struggle, but rather relates the horrors she lives from eating only a tablespoon of tuna to the fear experienced by her loved ones when they realize that she weighs only 82 pounds and is very likely to die.

I hope this book finds the hands of a young person who is struggling and helps them on their road to healing.

Request it now!

Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne

"Noah is running away from his problems when he takes the untrodden path through the forest. He comes across a very unusual toyshop and meets an unusual old man who is a toymaker. He's not sure what to expect. But the old man has a story to tell  full of adventure, wonder, and broken promises. Noah has stories to tell too and he learns life lessons from this peculiar old man."

 John Boyne has also written The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. So if you cried while reading that one, this one will more than likely do the same.

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison

If you laughed out loud at Louise Rennison's first series (which you obviously did):

You will love the first book of her NEW series as well:

Georgia's younger cousin Tallulah is just as hilarious, charming, and oblivious as Georgia herself. Just add a few more owls and sheep, a dash of the knobbly knees, and a goofy new version of the Ace Gang. Brillo-pads.

Memoirs of a teenage amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin.

Imagine waking up at age 16 and remembering nothing of your life after you turned 12. Meet Naomi, amnesiac (after a terrible fall), year book photographer, girlfriend to Ace, best friend of Will's. Or is she? She cannot remember any of it.

As Naomi struggles through daily life, she has the opportunity to explore life as a completely different person. Does she realy love Ace? Why is she on yearbook? Who really is James? What is Will hiding? Can she heal her relationship with her mother? Can she like her father's fiance?

As she regains her memory, Naomi meets her authentic self as she rebuilds her life from a blank slate.

Enjoy the book trailer.
Better yet, request the book!

Didsbury's teen page

We are not the only library blogging these days. Follow Didsbury's Teen Advisory page for more book suggestions and things happening in their library.

Rot & Ruin Pt.2

So I finished Rot & Ruin and I am here to tell you that this was an excellent read. It never really slowed down from start to finish and I am very happy to find out that there will be a sequel. It is a great coming of age novel and the main character,Benny Imura, realizes that his brother may not be the coward he always thought he was and the heroes that he worships are not what they appear to be. Lots of great twists and turns and plenty of action!

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Meet Charlie, 16 year old, sophomore and although not the least popular boy at school, he's not the most popular either. Shy and introspective, Charlie is a wallflower, not really participating in high school, but rather, observing it from the sidelines. Charlie speaks to the reader through a series of letters to an unknown person and through them we share in his experiences and insights into his life.

With the help of a teacher who recognizes his wisdom and intuition, and his two friends, seniors Samantha and Patrick, Charlie mostly manages to avoid the depression he feels creeping up like kudzu. When it all becomes too much, after a shocking realization about his beloved late Aunt Helen, Charlie retreats from reality for awhile. But he makes it back in due time, ready to face his sophomore year and all that it may bring. Charlie, sincerely searching for that feeling of "being infinite," is a kindred spirit to the generation that's been slapped with the label X.

Request the book here

Book trailer here.

And keep an eye out - it will be out as a movie soon!