Books like Cut by Patricia McCormick - A List

We had a book discussion the other day on Cut by Patricia McCormick. This book is about Callie and how she has to go to a hospital to get treated for cutting, which is a form of self-injury used as a coping mechanism by about 1% of the population. Self-injury is often misunderstood by people who think that the cutter does it to get attention. Actually, cutting is a sickness a lot like anorexia or bulimia. It is usually tied to deeper issues. We had a great discussion on the book. Here are some other books with similar themes you might enjoy if you liked Cut and are interested in reading something else:

OTHER BOOKS THAT DEAL WITH SELF-INJURY (cutting):
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Crosses (coming soon to the YA department)by Shelley Stoehr

OTHER BOOKS THAT DEAL WITH SELECTIVE MUTISM (not speaking):
The Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher
Silent to the Bone by E. L. Konsgsburg
Blood Secret by Kathryn Lasky
I Can’t Tell You by Hillary Frank
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

OTHER BOOKS THAT DEAL WITH STAYING IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL:
It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Cut by Patricia McCormick

Callie is staying at Sea Pines (Sick Minds) because
a. she won't talk to her parents
b. she won't talk to her therapist
c. she's cutting herself.
When I read this book I was struck by Callie's courage and especially her relationships with the other girls at Sick Minds (Sea Pines). I didn't know very much about cutting before I read this book, but Callie gives the reader a little glimpse into the lonliness (and power) caused by cutting. If you've ever felt alone, this book is for you. Till next time! -Suzanne