A Review of Paperweight by Meg Haston: A Young Adult Book that Deals with Realistic and Serious Issues
Paperweight by Meg Haston: A Review
If you are looking for a young adult novel that tackles the difficult topics of eating disorders, trauma and grief with honesty, sensitivity and compassion, then you might want to check out Paperweight by Meg Haston. This book follows the journey of Stevie, a seventeen-year-old girl who is sent to an eating-disorder treatment center in the New Mexico desert after her father discovers her plan to end her life on the anniversary of her brother's death. In this review, we will tell you what Paperweight is about, who Meg Haston is, why this book is powerful and important, how you can read it, and what other books are similar to it.
Paperweight Meg Haston Pdf 33
What is Paperweight about?
Paperweight is a novel that delves into the devastating impact of trauma and loss on a young girl's mental health and self-image. Stevie suffers from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, as well as depression and suicidal ideation. She blames herself for her brother Josh's death in a car accident, which she believes she caused by distracting him with a text message. She also feels abandoned by her mother, who left the family after Josh's death, and her father, who remarried and moved to Paris. Stevie feels trapped in her life and in her body, and she sees no way out except to starve herself to death.
However, her father intervenes and sends her to Eden Hills, a residential treatment center for teens with eating disorders. There, Stevie meets a group of other patients who have their own stories and struggles. She also meets Dr. Katz, her therapist, who challenges her to face her past and her emotions. Stevie resists the treatment at first, but gradually she begins to open up and connect with others. She learns more about herself, her family, and her disorder. She also discovers that she is not alone, and that there is hope for recovery and healing.
Who is Meg Haston?
Meg Haston is an American author who writes books for children and young adults. She was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. She has a degree in English literature from Northwestern University and a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Florida. She has worked as a school counselor, a yoga instructor, and a freelance writer. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California.
Meg Haston has written several books for young readers, including The End of Our Story, How to Rock Braces and Glasses, How to Rock Best Friends and Frenemies, and How to Rock Break-Ups and Make-Ups. She has also contributed to anthologies such as Dear Heartbreak and Hope Nation. Her books have been praised for their humor, heart, and honesty.
Meg Haston has also been open about her own experience with an eating disorder and depression. She has said that she wrote Paperweight as a way of processing her own past and giving voice to her younger self. She has also said that she hopes that her book can help other people who are going through similar challenges and let them know that they are not alone.
Why is Paperweight a powerful and important book?
Paperweight is a powerful and important book for several reasons. Here are some of them:
It explores the complex issues of eating disorders, trauma and grief
Paperweight does not shy away from the harsh realities of eating disorders, such as the physical, psychological, and social consequences of starving, bingeing, purging, and overexercising. It also shows how eating disorders are often linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It depicts the challenges of recovery, such as the fear of gaining weight, the guilt of eating, the temptation of relapse, and the need for support.
Moreover, Paperweight explores how eating disorders can be triggered or exacerbated by trauma and grief. Stevie's disorder is partly a result of her inability to cope with her brother's death and her mother's abandonment. She uses food as a way of numbing her pain and controlling her life. She also feels unworthy of love and happiness. Through therapy, Stevie learns to confront her trauma and grief, and to accept her feelings and herself.
It portrays a realistic and diverse cast of characters
Paperweight features a realistic and diverse cast of characters who represent different aspects of eating disorders and mental health. For example, Stevie's roommate at Eden Hills is Ashley, a girl who suffers from binge eating disorder and compulsive overeating. Ashley is overweight, but she is also confident, funny, and kind. She helps Stevie to see beyond her own prejudices and stereotypes about body size and beauty.
Another example is Eden, a girl who suffers from anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder. Eden is thin, but she is also insecure, unhappy, and obsessed with perfection. She constantly compares herself to others and criticizes herself for not being good enough. She also struggles with self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
The other patients at Eden Hills include Shrinky Dink, a boy who suffers from anorexia nervosa and anxiety; Anna, a girl who suffers from bulimia nervosa and bipolar disorder; Bobby, a boy who suffers from binge eating disorder and depression; and Lila, a girl who suffers from anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder. They all have different backgrounds, personalities, interests, and goals. They also have different levels of progress and readiness for recovery.
It offers hope and healing for readers who can relate to Stevie's struggles
Paperweight is not only a book about eating disorders, trauma and grief. It is also a book about hope and healing. It shows that recovery is possible, even when it seems impossible. It shows that there are people who care, even when it seems like no one does. It shows that there are reasons to live, even when it seems like there are none.
Stevie's journey is not easy or linear. She faces many obstacles and setbacks along the way. She makes mistakes and regrets them. She feels angry and hopeless at times. But she also grows and changes throughout the book. She learns to trust others and herself. She learns to forgive others and herself. She learns to love others and herself.
Paperweight is a book that can inspire readers who can relate to Stevie's struggles to seek help, to accept help, to give help, and to heal themselves.
How can you read Paperweight by Meg Haston?
If you are interested in reading Paperweight by Meg Haston, you have several options:
Download the PDF version for free
```html Haston-ebook/dp/B00O11JW0U">https://www.amazon.com/Paperweight-Meg-Haston-ebook/dp/B00O11JW0U.
Borrow it from a library or a friend
If you want to borrow Paperweight by Meg Haston from a library or a friend, you can check if your local library or school library has a copy of the book. You can also ask your friends or family members if they have read the book and if they are willing to lend it to you. Borrowing a book is a great way to save money and to share your thoughts and feelings with others after you finish reading.
For example, you can borrow Paperweight by Meg Haston from the King County Library System in Washington State. You can either request a physical copy of the book or download an ebook or audiobook version. You can access the King County Library System page of Paperweight by Meg Haston by clicking on this link: https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1548346082_paperweight.
What are some other books similar to Paperweight by Meg Haston?
If you enjoyed reading Paperweight by Meg Haston and you want to read more books that deal with eating disorders, trauma and grief, here are some other books that you might like:
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Wintergirls is a novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, the author of the acclaimed Speak. It tells the story of Lia, an eighteen-year-old girl who suffers from anorexia nervosa and self-harm. Lia is haunted by the death of her best friend Cassie, who died from bulimia nervosa. Lia feels guilty for not answering Cassie's phone calls on the night she died, and she believes that Cassie's ghost is urging her to join her in death. Lia struggles to cope with her family, her school, and her disorder, while trying to resist Cassie's voice in her head.
Wintergirls is a gripping and heartbreaking novel that exposes the dark reality of eating disorders and their impact on mental health. It also shows the importance of seeking help and finding hope in the midst of despair.
All of Me by Chris Baron
All of Me is a novel in verse by Chris Baron, a poet and professor. It tells the story of Ari, a thirteen-year-old boy who suffers from compulsive overeating and obesity. Ari is unhappy with his body and his life. He faces bullying at school, pressure at home, and confusion about his identity. He also has a crush on a girl named Lisa, who seems to like him back, but he is afraid to show his true self to her. Ari decides to join a weight-loss camp over the summer, hoping to change his body and his life.
All of Me is a moving and inspiring novel that explores the issues of body image, self-esteem, and self-acceptance. It also shows the power of friendship, family, and love in overcoming challenges and finding happiness.
The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib
The Girls at 17 Swann Street is a novel by Yara Zgheib, a writer and blogger. It tells the story of Anna, a twenty-six-year-old woman who suffers from anorexia nervosa. Anna used to be a professional dancer in Paris, but she gave up her career and moved to America with her husband Matthias. However, Anna's disorder worsened in her new environment, and she became dangerously thin and depressed. Matthias convinces Anna to enter 17 Swann Street, a residential treatment center for women with eating disorders. There, Anna meets other women who have their own stories and struggles. She also faces her own fears and hopes for recovery.
The Girls at 17 Swann Street is a realistic and poignant novel that depicts the daily lives of women with eating disorders and their fight for survival. It also shows the role of love and support in healing and recovery.
Conclusion
Paperweight by Meg Haston is a novel that deals with the difficult topics of eating disorders, trauma and grief with honesty, sensitivity and compassion. It follows the journey of Stevie, a seventeen-year-old girl who is sent to an eating-disorder treatment center after her father discovers her plan to end her life on the anniversary of her brother's death. The book explores the complex issues of mental health and self-image, portrays a realistic and diverse cast of characters, and offers hope and healing for readers who can relate to Stevie's struggles.
If you are interested in reading Paperweight by Meg Haston, you can download the PDF version for free from the Internet Archive, buy the paperback or ebook version online from various retailers, or borrow it from a library or a friend. You can also read other books similar to Paperweight by Meg Haston, such as Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, All of Me by Chris Baron, and The Girls at 17 Swann Street by Yara Zgheib.
We hope that this article has given you some useful information and insights about Paperweight by Meg Haston and its topic. We also hope that you enjoy reading this book and find it meaningful and inspiring.
FAQs
Q: What is the genre of Paperweight by Meg Haston?
A: Paperweight by Meg Haston is a young adult contemporary novel that deals with realistic and serious issues.
Q: When was Paperweight by Meg Haston published?
A: Paperweight by Meg Haston was published in 2015 by HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Q: How many pages does Paperweight by Meg Haston have?
A: Paperweight by Meg Haston has 288 pages in the hardcover edition and 285 pages in the ebook edition.
Q: What are some of the themes and messages of Paperweight by Meg Haston?
A: Some of the themes and messages of Paperweight by Meg Haston are: the impact of trauma and loss on mental health and self-image; the challenges and possibilities of recovery from eating disorders; the importance of seeking help and accepting help; the value of friendship, family, and love; the need for forgiveness and self-compassion; and the hope for healing and happiness.
Q: How did Paperweight by Meg Haston receive critical acclaim?
A: Paperweight by Meg Haston received critical acclaim from various sources, such as Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and VOYA. It was also nominated for several awards, such as the Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers, the Florida Teens Read Award, the Rhode Island Teen Book Award, and the Texas Lone Star Reading List.
71b2f0854b