SKINNY by Ibi Kaslik
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 9/19/06
Publisher: Walker Books
Reviewed by: Allison M. Rotonda
Rating: 5 Stars
Giselle is an intelligent, over-achieving medical student who is self-destructive and tormented by her
relationship with her dead father. Holly is a blossoming young track star that struggles academically for several
reasons, including the fact that she is hearing impaired. Giselle has been hospitalized and forced to return
home to recover from anorexia. SKINNY tells the story of the effects of Giselle’s illness on these two sisters
now that Giselle has come back to the family home. The sisters take turns narrating the story.
Each chapter told from Giselle’s perspective is laced with medical textbook excerpts that hold keys to the
story. Holly’s chapters are often brief and yet very poignant. The book details both sisters learning their family
history and struggling with its effect on their current lives. The dialogue between the sisters is very well written,
as are their inner monologues.
This book has many subplots and some come together in the end and others are not tied up so neatly. At
times it feels as though Kaslik has attempted to write two completely different books about the same
characters and weaved them together and yet, overall, the story is incredibly moving and emotional. Each
sister’s words force the reader to empathize with them despite the fact that they often seem to be battling
against each other.
Overall, Kaslik has written a remarkable book about the devastating effects of eating disorders on both the
person suffering from the illness and those around them. This book is incredibly weighty and touches on some
incredibly intense issues at times, and would likely pose a challenge to even some of the strongest high school
readers. But their efforts would not be wasted, as it is an incredibly satisfying read. It is accessible on several
levels, so if a younger reader were to read this book they would likely take something from it as well, but
revisiting the book later would likely reveal a more complex set of issues and themes.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 9/19/06
Publisher: Walker Books
Reviewed by: Allison M. Rotonda
Rating: 5 Stars
Giselle is an intelligent, over-achieving medical student who is self-destructive and tormented by her
relationship with her dead father. Holly is a blossoming young track star that struggles academically for several
reasons, including the fact that she is hearing impaired. Giselle has been hospitalized and forced to return
home to recover from anorexia. SKINNY tells the story of the effects of Giselle’s illness on these two sisters
now that Giselle has come back to the family home. The sisters take turns narrating the story.
Each chapter told from Giselle’s perspective is laced with medical textbook excerpts that hold keys to the
story. Holly’s chapters are often brief and yet very poignant. The book details both sisters learning their family
history and struggling with its effect on their current lives. The dialogue between the sisters is very well written,
as are their inner monologues.
This book has many subplots and some come together in the end and others are not tied up so neatly. At
times it feels as though Kaslik has attempted to write two completely different books about the same
characters and weaved them together and yet, overall, the story is incredibly moving and emotional. Each
sister’s words force the reader to empathize with them despite the fact that they often seem to be battling
against each other.
Overall, Kaslik has written a remarkable book about the devastating effects of eating disorders on both the
person suffering from the illness and those around them. This book is incredibly weighty and touches on some
incredibly intense issues at times, and would likely pose a challenge to even some of the strongest high school
readers. But their efforts would not be wasted, as it is an incredibly satisfying read. It is accessible on several
levels, so if a younger reader were to read this book they would likely take something from it as well, but
revisiting the book later would likely reveal a more complex set of issues and themes.
Skinny
by Ibi Kaslik
by Ibi Kaslik