- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Puffin Books; New edition edition (30 May 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140373209
- ISBN-13: 978-0140373202
- Product Dimensions: 17.4 x 11 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 45,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
This story is based on the theme of anorexia. To her father, Francesca is "the best little girl in the world", but at her ballet class she realizes she is "fat". With this realization, fat Francesca has to die, and slim Kessa takes her place. Help arrives in the shape of Sandy Sherman, a doctor.
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First Sentence
At the barre the girls moved and stretched, pointed and arched to Madame's precise cadence. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
At the barre the girls moved and stretched, pointed and arched to Madame's precise cadence. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first read this book at the age of about 11 or something, and I remember how it made me feel. I had known people with anorexia, and was later to realise that my best friend was bulimic and that i too was going to struggle with self-hatred and eating problems. Francesca's story moved me then, and recently, having been recommended this book by the computer, I read it again. It loses nothing. I couldn't remember the name of the book that touched me over nine years ago, then as soon as I saw it on the page it brought it back. This may seem irrelevant to a review, but is necessary to point out just how touching, poignant, saddening and honest this book really is.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It is 20 years since I read this book and it is one of very few I remember. I found it very moving and as a teenager it introduced me to real side of a problem that was often a source of playground sniggering due to lack of understanding.
Befor reading this book I thought it was funny to poke fun at the thin girl and accuse her of being anorexic, I had no idea what turmoil you must go through to turn to this.
I can see that those who have been there may be worried that this may trigger the problem but as an ignorant child this was an educational read that I felt was well written. I would have no hesitation in reccomending it to my own children
Befor reading this book I thought it was funny to poke fun at the thin girl and accuse her of being anorexic, I had no idea what turmoil you must go through to turn to this.
I can see that those who have been there may be worried that this may trigger the problem but as an ignorant child this was an educational read that I felt was well written. I would have no hesitation in reccomending it to my own children
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an experienced (15 years ill), well-recovered anorexic and student of the mind, I have read virtually all books written on eating disorders, especially anorexia. I read this book many years ago, and its negative impression has remained with me. There are elements of truth in this book - ones that actually made it "easier" for me to be anorexic when I first became ill. (I recovered several years ago). Triggering would be the correct terminology - so beware.
Behaviours are described with very little (if any) insight into the actual disease and its horrors. It is insulting to have such deep-rooted, painful issues dismissed by creating someone suddenly recovering by just deciding to. It is not that simple. Such writing may lead people to greater self-execration (if that is possible in eating disorder sufferers) by making them feel utterly blameworthy. It did for me.
Certainly, determination helps, but conscious efforts are not usually enough on their own - how ever strong you may be. Recovery needs buckets of support and time.
I cannot help but feel angry that the author seems to love himself a little too much and really believes his heroic, perceptive treatment "saved the day." Well meaning but with no insight. If you want a superficial book, read this. If not, don't bother. There are many better books to choose from.
I didn't bother to read the sequel.
Katy Sara Culling.
Behaviours are described with very little (if any) insight into the actual disease and its horrors. It is insulting to have such deep-rooted, painful issues dismissed by creating someone suddenly recovering by just deciding to. It is not that simple. Such writing may lead people to greater self-execration (if that is possible in eating disorder sufferers) by making them feel utterly blameworthy. It did for me.
Certainly, determination helps, but conscious efforts are not usually enough on their own - how ever strong you may be. Recovery needs buckets of support and time.
I cannot help but feel angry that the author seems to love himself a little too much and really believes his heroic, perceptive treatment "saved the day." Well meaning but with no insight. If you want a superficial book, read this. If not, don't bother. There are many better books to choose from.
I didn't bother to read the sequel.
Katy Sara Culling.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Review for Steven Levenkron's best little girl in the world.
The book was in quite good condition when i got it. Not quite sure if im meant to be singing the books or the sellers praises on here so will do both. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Roast
A good book but a warning if you have or are in recovery from an...
Once i started this book i couldn't put it down.... i was drawn into Kessa's little world which i felt comfy and obsessed with. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2008 by nuttychick
Triggering
This book is (if any can be) incredibly triggering, obviously there has to be something there in the first place because im sure many people have read this book and not developed... Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2007 by Rachel
good for non-anorexics
I read this in my teens (a good 15 years ago) and was so struck by it I made myself memorise the title. Read more
Published on 26 July 2007 by S. Henley
Good intentions but dangerous
I read this shortly after my own anorexia had begun. I measured myself against Francesca (the girl in the book) and felt I wasn't thin enough, disciplined enough, etc. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2007 by Evan S. Cent
Definitely worth reading
While I understand that people view this book as setting anorexic standards to the anorexic, I do consider this to be a good book. Read more
Published on 20 April 2006 by Reader
Potentially damaging
I wrote a review of this book 4 years ago now. I liked it at the time, but now I'm older, I can appreciate that this is a rather dangerous book. Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2005 by Ms. S. H. Nicholson
Good...but triggering
My parents bought this me when i was first diagnosed with anorexia. A goodstory it is, but it can be soo triggering. Read more
Published on 27 April 2004 by "punk4eva"
A good insight into the dangerous illness of anorexia
This book tells the story of a teenage girl, Francesca, who develops an obsession with weight loss driven by her strict ballet teacher and disgust with her own body compared to the... Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2003 by Hazel M
Revealing and insightful but definately a story
This book takes a close look at a girl's struggle with anorexia and how her life and relationships with parents, peers etc. change as the condition develops. Read more
Published on 17 Jun 2002 by Michelle Harris
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