Still a Work in Progress

Feelings of guilt, grief, bewilderment, and anxiety pervade Noah's present-tense account. Through his eyes, Knowles offers a touching and realistic picture of the effect on those surrounding a person with an eating disorder. A poignant window and mirror into the lives of families affected by a health disorder.--Kirkus Reviews Knowles (See You at Harry's) sensitively explores the pain of having a sibling with an eating disorder, including the exhaustion caused by constant worry, the lack of attention for the healthy child, and the tension at every meal as the family tries to accommodate Emma's dietary whims while closely monitoring how much she consumes...the relative lack of eating disorder stories told from a male point of view (especially for middle graders) makes this a welcome addition to the canon and a realistic look at how one person's severe illness can adversely affect everyone around them.--Publishers Weekly With moments of genuine warmth and middle school humor, this is a less intense but equally heartfelt exploration of the effects of an eating disorder on a younger sibling than Vrettos' Skin (BCCB 5/06). Readers will appreciate the honesty and accessibility of this tale about Noah's desire to save the sister he loves but doesn't understand.--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Noah's believable friends and their conflicts will draw in seventh-grade readers, especially boys...The novel is a great addition to a middle grade collection and will promote discussion in classes and homes.--VOYA