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M E G H A S T O N

About the B ook Book

Seventeen-year-old Stevie is trapped. In her life. In her body. And now in an Club
eating-disorder treatment center on the dusty outskirts of the New Mexico Pick!
desert. Life in the center is regimented and intrusive, a nightmare come
true. Nurses and therapists watch Stevie at meal time, accompany her to the
bathroom, and challenge her to eat the foods she’s worked so hard to avoid.
Her dad has signed her up for sixty days of treatment. But what no one
knows is that Stevie doesn’t plan to stay that long. There are only twen-
ty-seven days until the anniversary of her brother Josh’s death—the death
she caused. And if Stevie gets her way, there are only twenty-seven days
until she, too, will end her life.

Discussion Q uestions
1. W
 hen Stevie first arrives at the treatment center she is counting
down the days until the anniversary of her brother’s death so that
she too can end her life. Why do you think she is so determined
to stick to her plan?
2. S
 tevie thinks that anyone with a yellow or green wristband
(marking their progress) is weak. “She is nothing like me. I am
contained, self-sustaining. I don’t need contact; don’t need food.
I do not need.” (p. 31) Why do you think Stevie looks down on
the girls who are making progress in the program? Why does she
obsess over having a red wristband?
3. S
 tevie makes promises to Josh throughout the book as if he is still
alive. Why do you think Stevie is holding on so tightly? Do you
think she should let him go?
4. S
 tevie believes that her mother left because she wasn’t a perfect
daughter. “Maybe if I could mold myself into the perfect girl, the
kind of girl who didn’t sneak chocolates or beg for sugary cereal.
Maybe then” she’d come back. (p. 40) Why do you think Stevie
blames herself for her mother’s leaving? Why do you think Stevie
associates being skinny with being perfect?
5. W
 hen Stevie meets Anna (“Shrink”) she assumes that Anna
doesn’t understand what Stevie’s going through. Do you think
Stevie misjudged Anna? Who else does Stevie shut out? Do you
think Stevie was being unfair?
6. W
 hen Stevie is diagnosed with bulimia, she is angry and
disappointed. When asked how it makes her feel she says, “That
I’m fat. That I’m lazy. No self-control. Disgusting. Weak. The
lowest of the low.” (p. 70) Why do you think she reacts so
strongly to the diagnosis? Why do you think she is obsessed with
maintaining control?
7. S
 tevie’s flashbacks often include memories of Eden. Why do
you think Stevie was so fascinated by Eden? Why do you think
Stevie blames Eden for so much of her pain? Why does she keep
turning to Eden for help?
8. W
 hen Stevie and the other girls sneak out of their cottage to go
swimming, Stevie finds herself laughing and playing with them.
How would you describe this moment for Stevie? Do you think
she is genuinely having fun?
9. H
 ow does Stevie’s relationship with Ashley (“CB”) change over
the course of the book? Do you think Stevie cares for Ashley? Do
you think her feelings toward Ashley reflect progress for Stevie?
10. W
 hat did you think of the ending? Do you think Stevie got what
she wanted, or what she needed?

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