The Best Little Girl in the World by Steven Levenkron

I like that the theme of the need for attention is reinforced throughout the entire novel. Steven Levenkron’s writing style is to write in a quick succession of scenes to get the reader to understand the theme clearer, which I personally like. Levenkron says this through Francesca’s talk with Sandy, her therapist. In the story, he explains that people with anorexia could have the disorder because they want to retain a child-like body so they don’t have to worry their parents about growing up. He based Francesca on real-life patients that have anorexia nervosa and weaves a story around the problems that a person with an eating disorder has. Steven Levenkron is a psychotherapist and a writer known for his research into anorexia nervosa and self injury. She sees all kinds of doctors and eventually meets a therapist, Sandy, who helps her come to terms with her parents and her weight. Kessa’s weight eventually drops so low, she has to be hospitalized. She creates a new identity for herself, a person that she can be that is skinny and perfect: Kessa.

She follows the advice of her ballet teacher, and strives to become “slim and firm” to be a better dancer. Although Francesca is considered underweight by her doctor, she still compares her body to her fellow ballet classmates and the models in magazines. Steven Levenkron takes a real life problem and weaves an intricate, heart wrenching novel, The Best Little Girl in the World, about Francesca, a child who has anorexia nervosa.įrancesca Dietrich is a fifteen year old girl at five-foot-four and ninety-eight pounds. You are Francesca Dietrich, a girl who is slowly starving herself into nothingness. You smile, embracing the pain, and slip back into oblivion.

The clawing sensation blossoms into sharp pains, piercing your body. Huddling back into the blankets, you feel warmer. Confused, you flop back down on your bed, your heart racing. You stand up and all of a sudden, your head starts to spin. Why are you so cold? You slowly get off of your warm and cozy bed and reach out to grab your winter coat.

Your eyes, wide and empty, stare into nothingness. You open your eyes slowly, feeling an undeniable clawing sensation in your stomach.

The Best Little Girl in the World by Steven Levenkron