61 pages • 2 hours read
Laurie Halse AndersonWintergirls
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson follows Lia Overbrook, a high school senior grappling with anorexia, depression, and grief over her friend Cassie's death. As Lia's mental health deteriorates, she hallucinates Cassie's ghost and struggles with guilt for missing Cassie's final calls. After a near-fatal episode, Lia ultimately seeks help and begins to find the will to live and recover. This book contains topics related to eating disorders, self-harm, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls receives praise for its powerful exploration of eating disorders and mental health, portraying Lia’s struggles with haunting realism. Critics commend its lyrical prose and emotional depth. However, some readers find the narrative’s intense themes challenging and the protagonist’s voice occasionally repetitive. Overall, it's a compelling, albeit intense, read.
Who Should Read Wintergirls?
Readers who would enjoy Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson are typically teens and young adults drawn to deeply emotional and psychological narratives. Fans of Speak, also by Anderson, or Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher will appreciate the raw, honest exploration of mental health, eating disorders, and the road to recovery.
RecommendedReading Age
14-18yearsLexile Level
730LBook Details
Realistic Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction
Mental Illness
Grief / Death
Depression / Suicide
Identity: Mental Health
Relationships: Family
Emotions/Behavior: Grief