Sad Perfect

Gr 10 Up—When food is your enemy, life can be complicated. Sixteen-year-old Pea desperately wants to be an average teenager. Her aversion to food, however, makes that impossible. Diagnosed with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), Pea copes with an invisible monster within her, who she imagines rules every decision she makes. After she meets Ben—attractive, kind, and interested in her—she begins to experience more moments of happiness. As their relationship evolves, Pea's efforts to restrain her threatening internal force are hampered by the conflicting emotions that overwhelm her. Alienated from her parents and brother, she confides in her best friend, Jae, whose loyalty boosts her confidence and helps her navigate her daily struggles. Finally feeling like things are improving, Pea suffers an unexpected setback that drags her away from those close to her. Drawing readers in with a second-person perspective, Elliot delivers prose that is both engaging and appropriately unnerving. Delving into the minute details of Pea's eating disorder, the author does not sugarcoat the world of ARFID, highlighting its unique characteristics and giving teens a thorough look into Pea's challenges.