Janie believed it was under control. What began as just a little something to relieve that "full" feeling after a big meal at a Chinese restaurant, became the focus of her life. Janie can admit now that she is bulimic. What she can't understand and admit is why she has let this disorder consume her.
Perhaps her family is to blame. Her father dotes on her "perfect" older sister. That older sister only pays attention to her own "perfect" wedding plans. Janie's mother not only has a career to attend to, but also that "perfect" wedding to orchestrate.
The boy of her dreams finally asks her out, but after only a few short dates expects her to sacrifice her virginity. Afterward she doesn't feel loved, she just feels like a slut. Embarrassment keeps her from confiding in her real friends which causes hard feelings and separation.
Now after total humiliation at her sister's wedding, Janie finds herself at Golden Slopes, a treatment facility for eating disorders. She is now one of the Barfers waiting in frustration for the Starvers to straggle in for every scheduled meal. In between therapy sessions, she shares her thoughts in a journal. More than anything she wants to go home, but first she must confront her situation and come to terms with the root cause of her constant desire to purge.
Author Sarah Darer Littman brings a fresh voice to this growing problem among teens today. Her story proves how wide-spread the problem of eating disorders has become. Among her cast of characters, readers will hear from males as well as females, the well-to-do as well as the disadvantaged, and even someone well beyond her teen years who has fallen victim to the disease.
Littman highlights the seriousness and the life-threatening effects of eating disorders, but at the same time through humor and the results of positive treatment, provides hope and encouragement. PURGE due out in April 2009 is one you won't want to miss.
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