Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green

Green tackles some very tough personal struggles, and she does so beautifully, rendering empathy from the reader rather than pity. The majority of her memoir concerns eating disorders: first anorexia and then bulimia. But she also covers her changing relationship with family, friends, even therapists, for better and worse as she is coming of age. Less noticeable but equally important, Green shows how timid she was, allowing others to dictate her future education and career path. Eventually, she took a chance to follow her dreams. These are all heavy topics, especially the eating disorders and abuse, but Green keeps fighting no matter how frustrated she becomes that there is no final solution or easy fix for her problems. This determination and hope is a powerful message and will resonate with readers who have gone through similar struggles.

The artwork is alternately intricate and sparse, but this allows for periods of greater reflection, pondering what Green has learned and what may be to come without an overabundance of detail to bog the reader down. The coloring, various tones of gray and black, are a wonderful, less obvious play on the title and the personal shadows that plague Green's life. As for the book, it's hefty, and the paper weight is thick and textured, making this an even richer book for the tactile reader. Lighter Than My Shadow is highly suggested for readers who love graphic memoirs or for those who have faced comparable issues. Appropriate for adult and young adult audiences.