Even If It Kills Me

Anne Hutchings, a former elementary-school teacher-librarian with the
Durham Board of Education, is an educational consultant.

This story of a young anorexic girl is as timely now as it was when it
was first published in 1987.

Everything about 14-year-old Melanie Burton is good. She is a good
student. Unlike her sister, Katie, she rarely loses her temper, although
she is often angry. She is neat and tidy and organized and eager to
please. Her mother tells her, “Oh Melanie ... you’re such a good
girl.” One day, Melanie decides that perhaps she can be even better.
She begins to diet. A perfectionist in all things, she is good at it.
Too good.

Even If It Kills Me touches on the various causes of eating disorders.
It does not gloss over the fact that not all outcomes are happy ones,
such as Louanne’s. Fortunately for Melanie, people notice her weight
loss in time. She is hospitalized and begins a long journey back to
health. While the book offers no guarantees, Melanie’s story, unlike
Louanne’s, ends on a hopeful note. This story will appeal to girls in
Grades 6 and up. Recommended.