“Sick Girl Secrets” by Anna Russell
4 out of 5 stars. I was drawn to this title as someone who’s grown up with a severe physical disability. I’m always interested in reading books featuring characters with health issues and there seem to be an increasing number being published but many feature characters who have cancer. While this is still relatable and needed, it doesn’t seem as common for the character to have a mobility disability. Or a condition involving chronic pain. That’s where Sick Girl Secrets comes into play. The book is written from the perspective of Natalie, a teen diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I will admit that it took a little bit for me to get into it because of the style / format. Once I got used to the unique spacing of words and sometimes letters I got into the story. I could relate to some of the things she felt. I was a little bummed that the book ended when it did because I want to know more about how everything worked out but maybe it’s still a work in progress. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about what it’s like living a with a disability and/or chronic pain disorder, The book touches on so many important and relevant themes- disability awareness and rights, social justice issues, advocacy, and most importantly: self-acceptance.