The Bigger Book of Lydia

This book has stuck with me since reading it as a young woman, and I'd recommend it for any girl in junior high - it explores a relationship between two teen girls who likely wouldn't be friends, but are brought together in unusual circumstances. Both are dealing with issues of size - one feels too small, the other feels too big. It explores anorexia, both how the person who is ill feels and how it affects people around them as well. It also deals with boys and relationships with parents.

The Bigger Book of Lydia, by Margaret Willey is a compelling book full of vivid descriptions, unique comparisons, and lively characters. The story is about two very different girls who bond and become friends. I really enjoyed the characters in this book because they all tied into each other to create a refreshing change of pace from a lot of other books. The author used wonderful writing style to enhance the picture the plot created. The bigger book of Lydia captures the torment of being different, and through well-developed characters, turns it into a pride that you are different from other people. In the beginning of the book, Lydia, the main character complains of being way smaller and different from her classmates and other people. She is fed up with the teasing she gets from other kids and call her "Littlebit" and "Teeny", and she starts to despise school. In her desperation, Lydia creates a journal recording which foods will make her grow, and what vitamins to take. She becomes more and more sick of her complicated life and idiot boyfriend, and turns to painting to ease her mind. When summer comes, Lydia and her family receive a phone call from her cruel uncle who is sending his daughter, Michelle, who has an eating disorder to live with Lydia and her family. When the two girls meet, they are amazed how different from each other they both are, but cautiously build a friendship. The two girls share stories and become better and better friends. As both of the girls become wrapped up in there eating habits (Lydia is now eating too much, and Michelle is eating too little) they begin to become more and more depressed until they realize that if they turn to each other for support, they can get over their problems. The girls make a pact that is Lydia eats less, than Michelle will eat more, and use their pride so that Michelle begins to gain weight and Lydia loses back the weight she gained. Soon after, Michelle hears some horrible truth about her fate and the girls are heartbroken. I felt that this book was an awesome portrayal of how you can use your pride and dignity to solve a problem, and even if you come across a problem, somehow it will be smoothed over. This was an incredible book that I connected with my life. When I was younger, I always felt self-conscious because I was the tallest kid in my class, and I was ashamed of my height, but after a while, I realized that everyone is self-conscious about something and while I was worried about my tall height, people like Lydia were worried about just the opposite. This book was all about overcoming problems and differences. The Bigger Book of Lydia centers on the theme of differences and great characters that gain self-confidence. This book is an awesome story that is great for all ages to read. It is a funny story with some dimensions of sadness, and confusion. I suggest you read this heartwarming story about learning to love yourself, and having pride to get over your problems.

I had this book sitting on my shelf for a long time when one day I picked it up and read it--and was moved by Lydia and Michelle's plight as they struggled to find happiness with their own body size. Many unanswered questions gave the book a less preachy feel (such as why Michelle stopped eating), and I thought it dealt with anorexia in a very normal, unbiased way. The story was enjoyable, and though the ending wasn't satisfying, I felt satisfied with the book as a whole. This is a book for anyone who is insecure about themselves. I highly recommend it!

A sad story about one little girl trying to gain weight, and her meeting with a young anorexic. We see here both girls desires to change their appearence, and it reminds you that being a teen-ager in high school really sucks.

I read this book, about a girl who is stuggling with the fact that she's so small, while her cousin is battling anorexia, when I was 11 years old. It had a profound affect on me. Fifteen years later, I find myself thinking back on it frequently. This book is for anyone who has ever been unhappy with what or who they are