Working in the world of Young Adult Literature is a joy. I am constantly reminded about the goodness of the people in this community. I began hosting guest contributors since August of 2014 and during the past three years these contributors have addressed issues that address teaching strategies, topics of potential research, and, most importantly, the difficult issues that adolescent deal with in their everyday lives. If you are planning a YA course for this fall or if you are just interested in more actively discussing books with students, I hope you will revisit what the guest contributors have produced. This week’s contribution is a perfect example of an academic who cares about the issues that adolescents confront. Dr. Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil has contributed several times before and has now become a valued colleague and collaborator. (You can revisit her previous posts here: Beyond How We Were Taught: Using "Book Love" to teach YA Literature Methods., ALAN16 Memories and Stories, and Trending Now: YA, Current Events, and Taking Action.)
This week Gretchen discusses eating disorders. Thanks once again Gretchen for another thoughtful post.
This week Gretchen discusses eating disorders. Thanks once again Gretchen for another thoughtful post.
During my sophomore year of college, I kissed my then-boyfriend (and now-husband), Karsten,* goodbye as he embarked on a semester-long internship in Washington, D.C. He was strong, confident and smart, and in our time together we’d enjoyed a healthy lifestyle, shopping at the Farmer’s Market, cooking meals together, and taking runs around campus and along the shores of Lake Michigan. I eagerly awaited Karsten’s return, yet when he stepped off the plane, he was a mere shadow of his former self. In only 16 weeks, His sturdy, 170-pound frame had been whittled to a frail, almost skeletal 145 pounds. Not only had Karsten learned about politics in D.C., but he had also developed an eating disorder. When he wasn’t working, his time was spent counting fat grams and running. Throughout the following weeks and months, Karsten exhibited many symptoms of disordered eating: an irrational fear of certain types of foods; irritability around grocery shopping, meal preparation, and meal times; a rigid, exhausting, and all-consuming workout schedule. Many of his friends, who expressed support for his initial weight loss of a few pounds, were now gravely concerned with his new appearance and behaviors; several asked if he was seriously ill. Thankfully, with time, interventions from friends and family, and the support of a nutritionist, Karsten overcame his eating disorder. I am grateful that my beloved husband maintains a healthy weight (along with a reasonable, joyful eating and exercise regimen) today.
According to the National Institutes of Health, eating disorders, which include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, affect 2 percent of males and 3.5 percent of females. Karsten is one of 30 million people who will deal with a “clinically significant” disorder during their lifetime, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Given the stigma of mental health issues such as anorexia and bulimia, many eating disorders go unreported, making the likelihood of this disease--albeit closeted--even higher. In short, many of our young adults have, or know someone with, an eating disorder. Such prevalence leads me to wonder: What eating disorder-related texts are available to our young adults?
According to the National Institutes of Health, eating disorders, which include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, affect 2 percent of males and 3.5 percent of females. Karsten is one of 30 million people who will deal with a “clinically significant” disorder during their lifetime, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. Given the stigma of mental health issues such as anorexia and bulimia, many eating disorders go unreported, making the likelihood of this disease--albeit closeted--even higher. In short, many of our young adults have, or know someone with, an eating disorder. Such prevalence leads me to wonder: What eating disorder-related texts are available to our young adults?
A quick show of my cards: I realize that for certain young adults, especially those with similar disorders themselves, books about eating disorders can be what some call “triggering,” as they could provide additional information, or even encouragement, regarding the “hows” of the disease. Teachers should be aware of this concern, yet also consider Louise Rosenblatt, who argues that literature situates such issues “outside us, enables us to see them with a certain detachment and to understand our own situation and motivation more objectively” (40). In other words, books can offer perspective, especially when the reader can “live” through characters’ thoughts and decisions. In addition, when responding to any kind of literature, teachers must keep multiple lines of communication open (so as to intervene when necessary), discussing literature collectively and individually and offering various opportunities for students to respond to literature in personal ways, especially through writing. With Rosenblatt’s wisdom as well as our goal of open communication in mind, below I offer some recent and classic eating disorder-related young adult books.
I read The Art of Starving by Sam J. Miller, likely among the most recent YA book about eating disorders, in one afternoon. Miller, a survivor of an eating disorder himself, describes hunger as “a pack of wolves, starving and mad running through [the] bloodstream, gaunt ribs showing through mangy scabbed fur, fangs bared at every shadow” (163-164) as he tells the story of Matt, a gay teen who feels that his eating disorder gives him special powers. Told with suspense, tenderness, honesty and magical realism, The Art of Starving brings awareness to male eating disorders and their relationship to sexual orientation.
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson is another possibility. Anderson captures the attitudes, habits, and feelings of Lia, who struggles with anorexia while grieving the bulimia-induced death of her best friend, Cassie. This book is disturbing in all the good ways, holding the reader in suspense, frustration, and empathy for Lia. Wintergirls continues to help me--and my students-- to understand the complexities of eating disorder recovery. For those who enjoy Wintergirls, Meg Haston’s recent novel Paperweight explores similar themes.
Butter (Erin Jade Lange) was a great Summer of 2016 read, and I found that it increased my compassion for those dealing with binge-eating disorders. Telling the story of lonely, obese, suicidal “Butter,” who plans to eat himself to death in front of his Internet audience, this book also explores online bullying, “catfishing,” and society’s treatment of people who are overweight.
Nell’s Quilt by Susan Terris was one of the first YA novels I read. Terris places her story in turn-of-the-century Massachusetts, where Nell delays her marriage to an undesirable man by promising that she must first finish her quilt. While Nell works on her project, she slowly eliminates certain foods--and eventually all foods, wasting away. When I first read this book at the age of 13, I assumed that Nell perished at the end, and I still remember descriptions, events, even phrases. Since rediscovering this book (and related critical work) for this blog post, I’ve learned that Nell actually survives at the novel’s conclusion. It’s interesting how my perspectives on eating disorders as well as my skill with close textual analysis have developed since I was a young reader.
A book that I plan to read this summer is Believarexic by JJ Johnson. Reviewers have noted that the novel’s protagonist, Jennifer, grows stronger in body, prose, and typeface (!) throughout this uniquely formatted book. In fact, Johnson focuses less on Jennifer’s eating disorder and more on her recovery, making this a strong read for those concerned about “triggering” literature.
A book that doesn’t match the content of the novels above, yet explores the societal roots of disordered eating, is Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’. This book considers the many ways our society promotes thinness above all other qualities. In addition, considering that I am a mother of four daughters, this book has helped me think about how I model body positivity in my home. Most of all, though, I am delighted with Willowdean, a self-proclaimed fat girl who is perfectly happy with her body until she attracts the affection of handsome, popular Bo. Wishing to re-establish confidence in her own body, Willowdean enters the Miss Clover City beauty pageant and, along the way, finds support in new friendships and discoveries. This book is a strong choice for anyone desiring to help others celebrate all body types.
For those desiring nonfiction, Thin by Grace Bowman and Elena Vanishing, co-written by Elena and Clare B Dunkle, are good choices. Both memoirs bravely and honestly explore the causes of the writers’ nearly fatal anorexia, as well as their long recovery.
Those wishing to add additional titles to their reading lists or classroom libraries can consult this list from Goodreads.
I concur with Joan Kaywell that books save lives. May the above books help readers understand what eating disorders are, recognize symptoms of eating disorders in themselves as well as their peers, and connect them to people and resources that can bring healing and joy to themselves and those they love.
*shared with permission
Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil
Associate Professor, Aquinas College
[email protected]
I concur with Joan Kaywell that books save lives. May the above books help readers understand what eating disorders are, recognize symptoms of eating disorders in themselves as well as their peers, and connect them to people and resources that can bring healing and joy to themselves and those they love.
*shared with permission
Gretchen Rumohr-Voskuil
Associate Professor, Aquinas College
[email protected]
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