So many girls read The Best Little Girl in the World and asked, "What happens next?" This is author Steven Levenkron's answer. Best Little Girl ends on an up-note, with Kessa getting ready to leave the hospital and achieving some success in therapy. With this engaging sequel, Levenkron once again goes into the thought process of the anorexic mind. Here, he focuses mainly on Kessa's therapy sessions and explores the isolation and disconnectedness of the disorder, as well as offering hope for recovery.

As Kessa starts to heal, she begins to make an effort to fit in and end her isolation. Her thought process begins to change, and she succeeds in making new friends, a turning point for her. In therapy she investigates the jealousy that engulfs her when she encounters other eating-disordered girls, and her own sense of feeling fat when stress occurs. Her control issues, fear of intimacy and detachment from family come to light. With his engaging prose, Levenkron draws the reader into Kessa's world and makes her real.

As with Best Little Girl, Kessa ends on a positive note, with Kessa beginning a new chapter in her life -- a boyfriend. For those considering giving Kessa to an eating-disordered girl, I would not consider this part of the story to be triggering in any way. Kessa ultimately offers hope and affirmation that recovery from an eating disorder is possible.