The Better to Eat You With

Gr 6–Summer trips to the quiet resort town of Sonrisa were always a source of family fun for 12-year-old Evan, and a chance to reconnect with friends Billie and Jackson. But Evan can’t enjoy herself this year, amid pressing worry over the disintegration of her parents’ marriage and scrutiny from her mother Moira over everything Evan eats. Moira says it’s all about building healthy eating habits, but the restrictiveness of the diet leaves Evan feeling faint and spent. Additionally, the quiet of Sonrisa is disrupted by a mysterious nocturnal beast that kills animals and leaves strange tracks and marks around the camp. Evan and her friends sneak out to find answers, and Evan is disquieted by the connection she seems to share with the creature. While this presents a light horror element, the book’s scare factor lies in how Moira has pushed her daughter into anorexia. The pressure and worry that Evan feels every time she strays from her diet is palpable, and her body’s weakness leads to a couple of dangerous situations while swimming and hiking. Helpfully, author Mejia provides a compassionate voice in Billie, who shows herself to be a true friend as she begins to understand what Evan is dealing with. The creature ultimately reveals itself to be an empowering force for Evan and guides her to understand her body’s needs.