Being Sixteen by Allyson Braithwaite Condie

Back Cover Blurb

The night of my sixteenth birthday, I didn’t even bother to make a wish when I blew out the candles on the cake. It was my sixteenth birthday, after all. My wishes had already come true. When you turn sixteen, you can start dating. And driving. And living. I counted the candles on my cake as the flames flickered in the summer breeze. I heard the cheers of my friends and family, and as I tasted cake and summer and the promise of good times to come, I thought, This is going to be a good year. Maybe the best year of my life. I had no idea.

Juliet Kendall has been looking forward to her sixteenth birthday for what feels like forever. At first, it seems like being sixteen will be as perfect as she dreamed—she has great friends, a cute almost-boyfriend, a spot on the varsity girls’ basketball team, and even a car of her own. But, as the year goes on, she discovers that her sister Carly is hiding a secret and realizes that, in fact, being sixteen may be her hardest year yet.

Being Sixteen is a coming-of-age story about two sisters and their different struggles. It addresses what it means to have a testimony, what it means to be a friend and a sister, and what’s involved in dealing with and overcoming an eating disorder.

Religious Content:

• The main character is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Where to Find It:

• Amazon 

My Take:

This book is tender and sweet.  The main character is dealing with a sister who has an eating disorder and it's handled very well. I feel like this book is great for readers 12 years and up. A younger reader may need a little guideance to understand the more difficult themes. 

*(Photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash)