Cut
by Patricia McCormick
by Patricia McCormick
CUT by Patricia McCormick
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 2/1/02
Publisher: Push
Reviewed by: Cana Rensberger
Rating: 5 Stars
CUT is an amazing first novel by Patricia McCormick that offers a glimpse inside the mind of a 15-year-old girl who cuts
herself. For Callie, life just became too complicated. The solution lay right in front of her. One tiny cut. A bubble of red.
And yes, pain. Then, escape.
Callie now resides at Sea Pines with several other girls seeking treatment for a myriad of other disorders. She goes to
group share time, hooks her sleeves over her thumbs, and hides behind her hair. She sees her counselor twice a day and
counts the stripes on the wallpaper. But Callie doesn’t share. With anyone. Not even when her mother and little brother
visit.
Callie can’t bring herself to speak. Instead she watches, and listens. She knows everything about her group mates. But
they know nothing about this girl who won’t talk. Then, when Amanda joins the group and brazenly flaunts her own
scars, it becomes more difficult for Callie to remain silent. And as she begins to speak, she slowly finds she doesn’t want
to keep it all inside. She wants to get better.
Callie is a bright girl that the reader will easily identify with. You’ll care for her the same way she cares about the others
at Sea Pines. And you’ll be amazed when you find out what started it all; that it’s an entire family in pain, not just Callie.
She’ll make you cry, and make you laugh some, and in the end you’ll feel so proud of her progress.
Cutting is a very real issue for teens. Many, like Callie, don’t even know themselves why they do it. CUT is an honest
look at how cutting can consume a young person. If you know someone who cuts, share this book with them. Let them
know they can find help. They can stop. This is a gusty novel that you won’t want to put down until you’re sure Callie is
safe.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 2/1/02
Publisher: Push
Reviewed by: Cana Rensberger
Rating: 5 Stars
CUT is an amazing first novel by Patricia McCormick that offers a glimpse inside the mind of a 15-year-old girl who cuts
herself. For Callie, life just became too complicated. The solution lay right in front of her. One tiny cut. A bubble of red.
And yes, pain. Then, escape.
Callie now resides at Sea Pines with several other girls seeking treatment for a myriad of other disorders. She goes to
group share time, hooks her sleeves over her thumbs, and hides behind her hair. She sees her counselor twice a day and
counts the stripes on the wallpaper. But Callie doesn’t share. With anyone. Not even when her mother and little brother
visit.
Callie can’t bring herself to speak. Instead she watches, and listens. She knows everything about her group mates. But
they know nothing about this girl who won’t talk. Then, when Amanda joins the group and brazenly flaunts her own
scars, it becomes more difficult for Callie to remain silent. And as she begins to speak, she slowly finds she doesn’t want
to keep it all inside. She wants to get better.
Callie is a bright girl that the reader will easily identify with. You’ll care for her the same way she cares about the others
at Sea Pines. And you’ll be amazed when you find out what started it all; that it’s an entire family in pain, not just Callie.
She’ll make you cry, and make you laugh some, and in the end you’ll feel so proud of her progress.
Cutting is a very real issue for teens. Many, like Callie, don’t even know themselves why they do it. CUT is an honest
look at how cutting can consume a young person. If you know someone who cuts, share this book with them. Let them
know they can find help. They can stop. This is a gusty novel that you won’t want to put down until you’re sure Callie is
safe.
