Laurie Halse Anderson is known for dealing with the "big issues" in her mind-clenching novels: rape, abuse and panic have been featured themes.

Anderson has just published Wintergirls, which is arguably as relatable, well-written and gripping as its best-selling counterpart — Anderson's Speak.

Wintergirls follows 18-year-old Lia, who's just lost her "former best friend," Cassie.

Lia has her own life to deal with but when she begins blaming herself for letting Cassie die she starts getting visits from Cassie's ghost.

Lia cannot let Cassie die, and Cassie cannot let Lia live, and, as Anderson puts it in the novel, neither of them is really dead or alive, they're stuck in between. They're "winter girls."

Lia's world spins out of control — she can't decide whether she's better than everyone or worse; whether she's too skinny or too fat — she is happy but devastated and no one can make her confusion go away. Except for maybe Cassie.

Wintergirls most definitely lives up to the Halse Anderson name. It's tragic yet hopeful. It's painfully blunt about issues teenagers face — such as eating disorders or self-abuse.

There is not much one can find wrong with this novel, but, as the book itself said, it's all about what's real — completely, excruciatingly real.



Rebecca Gonzales is enjoying the summer before her senior year at Capital High School. You can reach her at nellybly22@gmail.com.