The Year I Didn't Eat
Samuel Pollen (2019)
Christmas Day is going to be super-hard. Like, the hardest day of my life so far. Breakfast will be OK because it'll be just me, Robin, Mum and Dad. But then, everyone else will arrive. And they've not seen me like this. They don't know what I'm like now.
14-year-old Max only has one person he can really talk to. Her name is Ana - also known as anorexia, his eating disorder. Max writes to Ana every day. She feeds on his fears, encouraging him to lose more and more weight. For Christmas, Max gets an unusual present from his older brother Robin; a geocache. He hides it in the forest near their house, thrilled by the anonymity it gives him. Anyone can leave Max a note - and soon, he gets one from the mysterious 'E'. Could it be Evie, the new girl at school, playing tricks on him?
In the midst of a family crisis, Max's eating disorder quickly deteriorates. Ana pulls him further and further away from his family until he feels totally alone. Can anyone help him find a way out?
The Year I Didn’t Eat offers invaluable, honest representation of an often overlooked group, situated harmoniously alongside buckets of humour and warmth. A hugely important story.
Savannah Brown, Author, The Truth About Keeping Secrets / Book Review
Emotionally real book offering insight, and hope to those affected by eating disorders. A real page turner. This book will help tackle stigma and increase understanding around men with eating disorders.
Hope Virgo, Mental Health Advocate and speaker / Book Review
Good and would definitely read again just wish there was more of an ending
chloe / Living Book User
Life Challenges
- Eating Disorder
- Dealing with change
- Family tensions and instability
- Independence
- Dealing with feelings of anxiety
Themes
- Mental Health
- Health and wellbeing
- Love and acceptance
- Transitions
- Resurrection
What's Great?
- Emotional journey
- Character driven
- Absorbing plotline
