Review -- Dancing with Ana

Dancing with Ana

by Nicole Barker

Golden Road Press, 2009

170 pages

Thanks to author Nicole Barker for sending me a copy of this book.

Summary: Beth becomes obsessed over her weight in a way of controlling her feelings over her parent's divorce. As her friends watch her slowly waste away, they try to help her overcome her obsession with the help of the boy she loves.

Review: A compelling read, Dancing with Ana takes on the issues of body image, anorexia, cutting, and underage drinking in a sparse 170 pages. Nicole Barker does a fantastic job writing a novel that flows with interesting characters and the problems they face individually and as a group. I especially loved the subplot with Beth's friend, Rachel, a girl whose pain is hidden inside as she grapples with a disturbing home life and finds hope as she falls in love with a local surfer boy. A novel that should promote discussion amongst teens and their parents, Dancing with Ana is a great read. Rating: **** out of 5.