Fourteen-year-old Max Howarth is living with anorexia. With the help
of his therapist and his supportive, but flawed, family, he's trying his
best to maintain his health. But things spiral out of control, and his
eating disorder threatens to isolate him from everyone he loves.
Beautifully crafted and honestly written, this debut YA novel tells
the story of one boy's year-long journey toward recovery.
* "The raw and real portrayal of anorexia from a group often left out
of the conversation." -Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review
* "[A] no-holds-barred debut novel based on the author's own
experiences as a tween will be a significant addition to any library."
-Booklist, STARRED Review
In most ways, Max is like any other teenager. He's dealing with family
drama, crushes, and high school-all while trying to have fun, play video
games, and explore his hobbies. But Max is also living with anorexia and
finds it impossible to be honest with his loved ones-they just don't
understand what he's going through.
Starting at Christmas, a series of triggering events disrupt Max's
progress toward recovery, sending him down a year-long spiral of
self-doubt and dangerous setbacks. With no one to turn to, Max journals
his innermost thoughts and feelings, writing to "Ana," the name he's
given his anorexia. While that helps for a while, Ana's negative voice
grows, amplifying his fears.
When Max gets an unusual present from his older brother, a geocache, it
becomes a welcome distraction from his problems. He hides it in the
forest near their house and soon gets a message from the mysterious "E."
Although Max is unsure of the secret writer's identity, they build a
bond, and it's comforting to finally have someone to confide in. As
Max's eating disorder pulls him further away from his family and
friends, this connection keeps him going, leading him back to the people
who love and support him.
Writing from his own experiences with anorexia, Samuel Pollen's The
Year I Didn't Eat is a powerful and uplifting story about recovery and
the connections that heal us.
