Patricia McCormick (1) (1956–)

Definitely one of the saddest books I've ever read, and I've read a lot of sad books. The author explains at the end of the book that Arn Chorn-Pond is a real person and the story is largely based on what really happened to him. This book often made me think of [b:What Is the What|4952|What Is the What|Dave Eggers|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328837457s/4952.jpg|3271214] and [b:Beasts of No Nation|413177|Beasts of No Nation|Uzodinma Iweala|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348904704s/413177.jpg|1655801] and the recent Printz winner [b:In Darkness|11451112|In Darkness|Nick Lake|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1329102541s/11451112.jpg|16385066]. They're all tragic stories told in the voice a boy whose struggles are pretty much unimaginable for most of us.… (mere)

Trigger warning: This book mentions self harm, drug uses, and anorexia.

This was a nostalgia reading as well since I read this a young child. I remembered all of the events in the book and I even relate to the main character (besides the cutting thing) so there’s that. I wonder how Callie is doing now? Did she get better? Did she get to wear fancy no sleeve dresses? Did her brother get better? Did she have a better relationship with her father? There are all the things that I kept on wondering and still do. Even though this is a fictional character, I truly hope that she got better and same goes for those who are real and going through what she did.

Also I like how Callie calls the therapist “You” making it break a fourth wall too which I find kinda odd since the writer also uses the first person perspective with Callie but I liked it.… (mere)