A Trick of the Light - Hardcover

Metzger, Lois

3.85

1,346 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 006213308X ISBN 13: 9780062133083

Publisher: Balzer & Bray, 2013

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Telling a story of a rarely recognized segment of eating disorder sufferers--young men--A Trick of the Light by Lois Metzger is a book for fans of the complex characters and emotional truths in Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls and Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why.

Mike Welles had everything under control. But that was before. Now things are rough at home, and they're getting confusing at school. He's losing his sense of direction, and he feels like he's a mess. Then there's a voice in his head. A friend, who's trying to help him get control again. More than that--the voice can guide him to become faster and stronger than he was before, to rid his life of everything that's holding him back. To figure out who he is again. If only Mike will listen.

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Review:

"A Trick of the Light is a masterpiece of narrative voice, riveting from beginning to end. I can honestly say I've never read anything like it. Stunningly original and profoundly insightful, this book has touched me as a reader and inspired me as a writer."--James Howe, author of Addie On the Inside

"Mike's world is beginning to spin out of control. But the voice in his head can tell him exactly how to "master the chaos" in this horror story wrapped in reality. A Trick of the Light deserves to stand on the same shelf as Laurie Halse Anderson's Wintergirls."--Richard Peck, Newbery Medal-winning author of A Year Down Yonder

"Lois Metzger's deeply interior story sheds necessary light on an otherwise unspoken pain. A must-read."--Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor author of One Crazy Summer

"At its heart, A Trick of the Light is a compassionate and inventive exploration of a little-understood behavior that plagues a surprising number of young men."--Patricia McCormick, National Book Award finalist for Never Fall Down

"Startlingly original... Metzger's compelling psychological drama takes on the subject of a boy with an eating disorder. The narrative voice-Mike's eating disorder, personified-is the star of this masterfully written novel, which becomes a horror story of sorts."--The Horn Book

"Metzger's cautionary tale is made more powerful and dramatic by her choice of narrator: the voice in Mike's head. Readers will be easily caught by the quandary: Will the voice prevail, or will Mike recover control of his mind-and his body-before it's too late?"--Michael Cart, ALA Booklist

"The story is well-plotted and its prose engaging... an ambitious and unusual take on teens and eating disorders."--Kirkus Reviews

"A unique look at mental illness [and a] powerful method of illustrating the warped thinking that characterizes an eating disorder. This unusual and moving novel addresses complicated ideas, and is ultimately a hopeful tale about coming back to life."--Katie Haegele, The Philadelphia Inquirer

"The [narrative] voice in A Trick of the Light is manipulative and deceitful, drawing readers into Mike's head and forcing them to decide for themselves what's true and what's twisted. Don't be misled by the book's small size: This slim volume packs a big emotional punch."--Jill Ratzan, BookPage

"Stunning, heart-wrenching, and painful, yet uplifting and hopeful, A Trick of the Light is an important book for teens. Told from the male point of view, A Trick of the Light addresses negative body image and weight issues for boys."--Pamela Thompson, Library Media Specialist, El Paso, Texas

From the Back Cover:

Mike Welles had everything under control.

He was a good student, an outfielder on the baseball team, a good son, a loyal friend. But that was before. Now things are rough at home, and they're getting confusing at school. He's losing his sense of direction, and he feels like a mess.

Then there's a voice in his head. A friend, trying to help him regain control. More than that: The voice can guide him to become better and stronger than he was before, to rid his life of everything holding him back. To figure out who he is again. If only Mike will listen.

Writing with devastating power and precision, acclaimed author Lois Metzger gives us the story of one young man's battle with his own shadows--a spare, stark, and vital tale of the way in which the things we build to protect ourselves can threaten to destroy us.

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