You Remind Me of You by Eireann Corrigan

• ISBN:0439297710
• Plot summary: Her plan to wither away begins when she her boyfriend's friend tells her that Daniel would like it if she was a bit thinner. Soon, she is feeding food scraps to the dog, vomiting into ziploc bags that she hides in a suitcase under her bed, and keeping a diary of the foods that are okay to eat. For three years, Eireann goes in an out of treatment for her eating disorder, all the while hanging on to the threads of her relationship with Daniel. Her eating disorder loses it's control over her after Daniel attempts suicide. While he lies in a hospital bed recovering from near death, Eireann hovers over his body, waiting for signs that he recognizes her, staying strong so she can stay out of her treatment hospital and here at his. For years after Eireann and Daniel's hospital stays, their personal tragedies keep them tethered as they think back on the times they were strong for one another. But is a shared history of hardship enough to keep this couple together?
• Critical evaluation: Through prose poems, Eireann Corrigan tells the tale of how her boyfriend and she almost didn't make it. She opposed to food and he opposed to living, the two spent a lot of their teenage years trying to be there for the other when they weren't strong enough on their own. Not only does the support stick with them during the hard times, but years later in college, the images of hospital visits and Daniel coaxing food into Eireann flood their memories with admiration and unbelieveable loyalty. The format of the memoir lends itself well as the writer's voice slips easily from one moment to the next, though not always in sequential order. Any teen who loves the effect language can have on their personal story would be interested in reading this.
• Reader's annotation: Eireann loses interest in food when she hears Daniel likes a more fit girlfriend, then gains her interest back when she is in danger of losing Daniel.
• About the author: Eireann Corrigan is the writer of three poetry novels. She lives in New Jersey.
• Genre: Poetry
• Curriculum ties, if any: None
• Booktalking ideas:
• Do you ever deal with your memories through art, such as poetry or painting?
• Reading level/interest age: 14+
• Challenge issues: Sexuality
• Why was this item included? I wanted to include a different style of writing in my list of materials for teens.