Second Star to the Right

by Deborah Hautzig

Book Overview

Leslie Hiller is a bright, attractive, talented teenager who leads a privileged life in New York City. She is also a perfectionist. When Leslie starts to diet, she finds herself becoming obsessed, getting thinner and thinner, until she is forced to realize that her quest for perfection is killing her. First published in 1981, this groundbreaking novel has been lauded by countless librarians, educators, and teenaged readers. This new edition features...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141305800
• ISBN13: 9780141305806
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.3" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful, Touching Story

After hearing how excellent this book was, I decided to check it out of my school's library, and I read it all in one night. I was so engrossed by the main character's struggle that I just couldn't put the book down! It was so amazing and touching. 'Second Star to the Right' is a moving story about a fourteen year old Jewish girl named Leslie Hiller. Leslie is a perfectionist who resides in New York with her mother, who constantly worries; her father, who is a pianist; and her little brother. In an attempt to find happiness, Leslie decides to go on a diet. But quickly, it becomes more than just a diet; it becomes a gradual and painful death. Leslie is well aware of the fact that she is slowly killing herself, but she believes that she is incapable of climbing out of the complex web in which she has intangled herself in. This book doesn't focus on the physical conditions of anorexia nervosa; but rather, the emotional and mental conditions of the victim. It's interesting how Leslie struggles to understand why she is starving herself to death. Also, her parents confusion as to why their daughter is going down this self destructive path is interesting as well. I just wanted to jump right into the book and embrace Leslie. I desperately wanted to assure her that everything would be alright. But, unfortunately, I couldn't do that because 1.) It's impossible to jump into a book. and 2.) It was up to Leslie to decide if everything was going to be alright. We don't find out if Leslie begins her journey down the 'road to recovery' because the book leaves us with Leslie trying to figure herself out in a hospital, but that doesn't matter. We're given plenty of details, so we can imagine how things turn out for Leslie. Personally, I believe she recovered, but I'll never actually know. This story delves into the mind of an anorexic and helps you to understand them, to see things from their perspective. Anorexia is a dangerous and terrifying disease, and aside from really moving me, Leslie's struggle also frightened me. The confusion... the pain... the slow deterioration of body, mind, and soul. I recommend this book to anyone between the ages of twelve and sixteen. Even if you have never battled an eating disorder before, you'll still enjoy it. Deborah Hautzig did an excellent job at writing this magnificent story.

A Must

Oh wow! This book has become my favorite and most read book. Most books about anorexia tell it from a friend's point of view, or third person. But in Second Star to the Right, the story of Leslie is told by her. You get everything she is going through told as she sees it and lives it. Also, the entire story is not about her anorexia battle. Its about her life and her world leading up to it all. She is a "real teenager" dealing with all problems in her life. She tells all her feelings and I could totally relate. This is a great, mature book to read any time. Whether boy or girl, anorexic or not. I definitly reccomend it! Its my fav. book. Also, good for teenagers from about 13-16.

Sincere, multi-faceted and authentic

Having finished my sixth young adult fiction book on anorexia, I enjoyed Hautzig's book as well as "Go for the Gold" the best. Each cast varying influences and different scenarios instead of the typical stereotyped plot and characters that most books fall into. Hautzig gave a voice of reality to Leslie's experience by using her roomie, the African American girl who was hospitalized for leg surgery, as a beacon of normalcy. The main character, Leslie, didn't want to spend all her teen years trying to establish an existence all of her own by self abuse. Her friends in the hospital and the different sources of medical knowlege could be weighed in how postive the outcome was. It showed the reader what doctors and people should not say and what is also beneficial to do. I enjoyed the ending as it showed that there aren't just pat remedies for problems and things can't often be fixed in a pre-determined timeline. Really a nice read for any age.

THIS IS A HARD- HITTING BUT TOTALLY BRILLANT BOOK

I read second star on the right a few weeks ago and although I've never had anorexia, I thought I knew quite a bit about it - this book really opened my eyes to how destructive and devasting it really is, I would recommend this to anyone, but if you do have anorexia especially READ IT, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE !

A deeply touching journey through anorexia nervosa

Though only 14, Leslie Hiller is dying. Only she is behind her demise. This harrowing tale of Leslie's journey through anorexia nervosa is so thourough and touching that it must be called one of those rare treasures that are read over and over and cherished forever. This book takes the reader through Leslie's mind and her experiences and the ending will bring tears as Leslie finds a will to live after so many months of pain. A deeply moving story that should be read by anyone whose family has been touched by this disease