Essay, Research Paper
Analysis of The Best Little Girl in the World The author of
my book is Steven Levenkron. Warner Books published this
book in September of 1978 in New York, NY. The genre
of my book is fiction with suspense. The Best Little Girl in
the World could be based on a true story, but it is not
completely true to life. It would fall under the suspense
category because the reader does not know if Kessa will live
or die. The all-important purposes of this book are to inform
and to narrate. The author does a nice job of achieving his
purpose. I am now aware of the many dangers of the deadly
disease being described. Steven Levenkron has many
qualifications. He is a ?practicing psychotherapist with a
specialty in eating disorders? (The Best Little Girl in the
World page 2). He has been a ?clinical consultant at
Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center as well as the
Center for the study of Anorexia and Bulimia in New York
City? (page 2). He is also a ?current member of ANAD of
Highland Park, Illinois? (page 2). This book does have a few
weaknesses but more strengths. A weakness would have to
be the ending. It is not eventful. I was hoping for a surprise
of some sort, and it never came. However, I noted many
strengths. The descriptive details seem great. Although the
details appear rather gross at points, I think that is a good
thing. That way a reader discovers the harsh reality of the
disease. ?The thinner is the winner? (The Best Little Girl in
the World Steven Levenkron page 25). This is a powerful
quote because thinness is what the whole story is based
upon. Kessa thinks that the thinner she is the better. She is
most definitely proved wrong in the end. I noted three main
settings used in this book. The Best Little Girl in the World
takes place in the year of 1979. The first one is the
Dietrich?s home. Their apartment is located in New York
City. The second location is at Francesca?s dancing studio
downtown. The third location where the action takes place is
in the hospital. Kessa is in the hospital for about three
months, and then she is released to live at home. Four main
characters are present in this book. They happen to be
Kessa, Lila, Grace and Harold. The two protagonists are
Kessa and Grace. Kessa is a short, frail, fifteen-year-old
girl. Grace appears to be a middle-aged housewife. Grace is
supportive of Kessa even through the tough times. The
antagonists are Harold and Lila. Harold is Kessa?s father
who has a slight drinking problem. He always yells and is
ill-tempered. Lila, Kessa?s roommate in the hospital, is
always putting Kessa down for being anorexic. She calls her
a ?skinny.? One type of conflict in this particular book is
man/woman versus man/woman. This is shown when Kessa
is forced to eat by her parents. Another type of conflict is
man/woman versus self. This is the biggest conflict
throughout the entire story. Kessa continues to battle herself
over her weight. Yet another type is man/woman versus
nature. This is shown when Kessa?s blood pressure drops to
an extremely low rate. Man/woman versus society is the
pictures of skinny models that Kessa cuts out demonstrate
the effect of society upon young people. Man/woman versus
fate, supernatural, and god/goddess is shown because
Kessa?s fate is to keep her life. The writing style of the
author is third-person omniscient. This means that the author
can crawl into the character?s minds. I enjoy this style
because the reader is able to know what all of the characters
are thinking. I enjoyed this book, so I would definitely
recommend it to others. It shows the harsh reality of
anorexia nervosa. After reading this book, an individual will
realize that this is a serious matter, which should not be taken
lightly.