Room to Grow: An Appetite for Life

from BlueJeanOnline.comby Truc Doan, age 15, Teen EditorThis book is about an actress who had an eating disorder known as anorexia nervosa. Does this sound familiar? Before beginning to read this book, I looked at the inside cover and immediately believed I was going to endure a literate, extended version of 'Behind the Music' (only without the music, drugs, or groupies). Well, everyone knows that they say about judging books by their cover, right? Room to Grow by Tracey Gold is about her life and her battle with anorexia, but if you're looking for preachy, 'look-at-poor-beautiful-me,' tear glistening in eye cripe, then you won't find it here. Room to Grow uses fairly simple language to show the development of a problem, the recognition and the conquering of it. Throughout the book, one accepts that acting was simply something Gold did. It didn't define her and it wasn't the cause of her anorexia. Like most little girls, Gold had grown up wanting to please and (with a little help from movies and books) began to believe that if she was skinnier, it would be better. The book itself is not so much autobiographical as it is informative. Gold's life acts simply as a backdrop to the main topic, a disease that kills. Gold isn't asking for sympathy. She explains this in the first chapter. She just wants to know that somebody read this and it helped them to better understand the disease and to seek help if they have it. Well, I read it and I commend her for caring enough to write it. ...

In her book, Room to Grow: An Appetite for Life, Tracey Gold talks about "not-eating days." She talks about "safe" restaurants. Tracey definitely knows anorexia. I know this, because I am in recovery for anorexia/bulimia. And I know exactly what she is talking about. But Tracey Gold knows a lot more than just anorexia. She also knows about self-esteem, self-discovery, and valuing yourself. In Room to Grow, Tracey is a source of comfort and encouragement for those suffering with an eating disorder. She is also a reassuring voice for those who love someone afflicted with the disease. Tracey is an inspiration to us all. Whether your life has been affected by an eating disorder or not, you will gain incredible insight by reading Tracey's story. You will learn about facing your fears and conquering challenges. You will learn about falling down and having the strength to get back up again. You will learn about accepting and even loving yourself. Aside from offering words of wisdom, Tracey's story is also intriguing and just fun to read. She writes with an honest voice and reveals her deepest secrets. She invites you into her life and lets you walk the difficult roads with her. You will cry; you will laugh. You will not want to put the book down. Yes, Tracey Gold knows anorexia. After you read her story, you will know it, too. And you will know so much more. So make some room on your shelf for Room to Grow, and you will grow. You will discover yourself all over again. Jenni Schaefer, author of Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too (McGraw-Hill)

This book is more than just Tracey Gold's battle with anorexia. It is also about her childhood and her life beyond her disease. It is sweet, sad, funny, and heart-breaking all at once. It's a short read that leaves you wanting more. It sets itself apart from other books dealing with anorexia and eating disorders in that it does not glorify the disease. The best part of the book is her recovery and how she realizes that, as a mother, she no longer can live for only herself and must learn to overcome anorexia to fully be present enough to nurture her children. Excellent read and very warm and conversational tone to the book!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling with eating disorders and for parents of adolescents with anorexia also. I applaud Tracey for her honesty, as I am sure that there are several other actresses in Hollywood who have anorexia and/or bulimia, and young girls see them on television and wish they could be so "thin and beautiful"....but these are the ones who don't admit that they have a problem. Tracey's story has been an inspiration to me in a highly personal way. I grew up watching "Growing Pains" and loved the show. Tracey and I look a lot alike....especially when she was (sadly) at her thinnest...we have a very similar facial/bone structure. So I always watched to see if she could overcome this disorder....because if she could, then certainly somehow I could too. I always felt some kind of closeness to her and the whole situation.Unfortunately I am still struggling after 15 years with the beast of anorexia....but Tracey and her story is truly an inspiration. And I hope that everyone who reads this book will see that they too can overcome....and that parents/loved ones can learn how to love the person through the disorder.Blessings Tracey ~ you are awesome and you're beautiful!

I've spent many hours watching Tracey grow up on television and I've read the many accounts of her battles with anorexia. Her memoir is truly inspirational. I highly recommend it to women of all ages...to moms, friends and young women. Her recovery was long and difficult but she's turned into a beautiful woman with a happy family and an ongoing career! This is a great book for fans of her work on television, but even if you haven't followed her career you'll be fascinated to learn of all she has been through on her road to good health. There are great pictures of Tracey and her family in the book, from when she was a baby until now as the mom of several young kids! Tracey can do alot to help people with eating disorders overcome their demons, and this book is certainly the means for her to do so. I applaud her honesty.