Download EPUB of Paperweight by Meg Haston - A Realistic and Moving YA Story
Paperweight Meg Haston Epub Download
If you are looking for a powerful and moving young adult novel that deals with eating disorders, mental health, and grief, you might want to check out Paperweight by Meg Haston. This book tells the story of Stevie, a 17-year-old girl who is sent to an eating disorder treatment center in New Mexico after her brother's death. There, she has to face her past traumas, her present struggles, and her future plans - which include ending her life on the anniversary of her brother's death. In this article, we will give you a brief overview of the book, its genre, themes, and plot summary. We will also show you how to download Paperweight
in epub format for free or for a low price from various online sources.
Paperweight Meg Haston Epub Download
What is Paperweight about?
Paperweight is a young adult contemporary novel that was published in 2015 by HarperCollins. It is written by Meg Haston, who is both a survivor and a mental health counselor. Meg first conceived of Paperweight when she spent time in a treatment center for disordered eating in Arizona. Like her character Stevie, she could bring nothing but a small suitcase of clothes - no books, no phone, no computer .
The book follows Stevie, a 17-year-old girl who is trapped in her life and in her eating disorder. She blames herself for her brother Josh's death, which she believes she caused by revealing his secret to their father. She also feels abandoned by her mother, who left when she was a child, and by her father, who is too busy with his new family to care about her. She copes with her pain by starving herself, binging and purging, and drinking alcohol. Her father signs her up for 60 days of treatment at Eden Hills, a remote and strict eating disorder center in New Mexico. But Stevie has no intention of staying that long. She has a countdown in her head: 27 days until the anniversary of Josh's death, and 27 days until she will join him.
At Eden Hills, Stevie has to follow a rigid schedule of meals, therapy sessions, group activities, and rules. She has to eat the foods she hates, talk about the feelings she avoids, and interact with the people she despises. She meets Anna, her roommate who is recovering from bulimia; Ashley, a cheerful and optimistic girl who suffers from binge eating disorder; Shrink-Sue, her therapist who tries to break through her defenses; and Eden, the mysterious founder of the center who has a dark past of her own. As Stevie goes through the program, she gradually uncovers the truth about her brother's death, her mother's departure, and her own self-worth. She also realizes that she is not alone in her battle, and that there might be a way out of the darkness.
Why should you read Paperweight?
Paperweight is a book that will make you feel a lot of emotions: anger, sadness, fear, hope, and more. It is a book that will make you think about the issues that many teens face today: eating disorders, mental health, suicide, family problems, sexuality, and identity. It is a book that will make you care about the characters and their stories: Stevie, who is struggling to find a reason to live; Josh, who is hiding a secret that could ruin his life; Anna, who is trying to overcome her shame and guilt; Ashley, who is learning to love herself and her body; Shrink-Sue, who is determined to help Stevie heal; and Eden, who is haunted by her own demons.
Paperweight is a book that will impress you with its writing style, plot development, character growth, and themes. It is a book that will challenge you with its realistic and sensitive depiction of eating disorders and mental health issues. It is a book that will inspire you with its positive message of hope and recovery. It is a book that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
How to download Paperweight in epub format?
If you are interested in reading Paperweight by Meg Haston, you might want to download it in epub format. Epub is a popular file format for ebooks that can be read on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. Epub files are easy to download, store, and transfer.
There are several ways to download Paperweight in epub format for free or for a low price from various online sources. Here are some of them:
You can borrow Paperweight from your local library or from an online library service, such as OverDrive or Libby. All you need is a library card and an app that supports epub files, such as Adobe Digital Editions or Calibre. You can then download the book to your device and read it for a limited period of time.
You can buy Paperweight from an online bookstore or an ebook retailer, such as Amazon Kindle Store or Google Play Books. You can then download the book to your device and read it anytime you want. The price of the book may vary depending on the seller and the region.
You can download Paperweight from an online file-sharing platform or an ebook directory, such as Z-Library or Epub.pub. You can then access the book from your device or transfer it to another device. However, you should be careful when using these sources, as they may not be legal or safe.
Before you download Paperweight in epub format from any source, Paperweight by Meg Haston: A Review
Now that you have a general idea of what Paperweight by Meg Haston is about and how to download it in epub format, you might be wondering if it is worth reading. In this section, we will give you a comprehensive and critical review of the book, based on its writing style, plot development, character growth, and themes. We will also compare its strengths and weaknesses, rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, and recommend it for who should read it and why.
Writing style and plot development
One of the most impressive aspects of Paperweight by Meg Haston is its writing style. The book is written in the first-person point of view of Stevie, who narrates her present experiences at Eden Hills and her past memories of Josh and her family. The book alternates between these two timelines, creating a sense of suspense and mystery as the reader gradually learns more about Stevie's backstory and motivation. The book also uses flashbacks, dual perspectives, and symbolism to enhance the plot development and the emotional impact.
For example, the book uses flashbacks to reveal Stevie's relationship with Josh, who was her older brother and her best friend. Josh was gay, but he kept it a secret from their conservative father. Stevie was the only one who knew about his sexuality and his boyfriend, Mark. However, one night, Stevie accidentally exposed Josh's secret to their father, leading to a tragic confrontation that resulted in Josh's death. Stevie blames herself for Josh's death and believes that she deserves to die too. The flashbacks show how close Stevie and Josh were, how much they loved each other, and how much they suffered because of their father's intolerance and neglect.
The book also uses dual perspectives to show Stevie's distorted perception of herself and her body. Stevie suffers from anorexia nervosa, which is a serious eating disorder that causes a person to have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Stevie believes that she is fat, ugly, and worthless, even though she is severely underweight and malnourished. She restricts her food intake, counts calories obsessively, exercises excessively, and sometimes purges after eating. The book shows how Stevie sees herself and how others see her through different descriptions of her appearance and behavior. For example, Stevie describes herself as "a paperweight on this earth" , while Anna describes her as "a skeleton with skin stretched over it" . The book also shows how Stevie's eating disorder affects her physical health, such as her hair falling out, her teeth decaying, her bones breaking, and her heart failing.
The book also uses symbolism to convey Stevie's emotions and thoughts. For example, the book uses the symbol of water to represent Stevie's feelings of drowning in her guilt and pain. Stevie often dreams of water, such as being submerged in a bathtub or a lake, or being swept away by a wave or a flood. She also associates water with Josh, who loved swimming and diving. Water represents Stevie's desire to escape from her reality and to join Josh in death. Another example of symbolism is the paperweight that gives the book its title. The paperweight is a glass sphere that contains a miniature snow globe with a house inside. It belongs to Eden, the founder of Eden Hills, who gives it to Stevie as a gift. The paperweight represents Stevie's trapped and isolated state of mind, as well as her hope for a home and a family.
Character growth and themes
Another remarkable aspect of Paperweight by Meg Haston is its character growth. The book focuses on Stevie's journey of healing from her eating disorder, guilt, and trauma. At the beginning of the book, Stevie is angry, bitter, depressed, and suicidal. She hates herself and everyone around her. She refuses to cooperate with the treatment program or to open up to anyone. She pushes away anyone who tries to help her or care for her. She is determined to die on the anniversary of Josh's death, believing that it is the only way to atone for her mistake and to reunite with him.
However, as the book progresses, Stevie gradually changes and grows. She starts to form friendships with Anna and Ashley, who support her and challenge her. She starts to trust Shrink-Sue, who helps her to face her emotions and thoughts. She starts to respect Eden, who shares her own story of recovery and redemption. She starts to question her beliefs and assumptions about herself and her life. She starts to realize that she is not alone in her struggle, and that there might be a way out of the darkness.
By the end of the book, Stevie is a different person. She is still struggling, but she is also hopeful. She accepts herself and others. She cooperates with the treatment program and makes progress. She opens up to her friends and family. She forgives herself and Josh. She chooses to live and to heal.
The book also explores several themes that are relevant and meaningful for young adult readers. Some of these themes are:
Family: The book shows how family can be a source of love and support, but also of pain and conflict. Stevie's family is broken and dysfunctional. Her mother left when she was a child, leaving her with a sense of abandonment and insecurity. Her father is cold and distant, caring more about his work and his new wife than about his children. He is also homophobic and abusive, rejecting Josh for being gay and blaming Stevie for his death. Stevie feels alone and unloved by her family, which contributes to her eating disorder and depression. However, the book also shows how family can be redefined and rebuilt. Stevie finds a new family at Eden Hills, where she meets people who understand her and care for her. She also reconnects with her mother, who tries to make amends for leaving her. She also learns to forgive her father and Josh, realizing that they are not perfect, but they are still her family.
Friendship: The book shows how friendship can be a source of strength and joy, but also of pressure and betrayal. Stevie's friendship with Josh was the most important thing in her life. They were inseparable, sharing everything from their hobbies to their secrets. They supported each other through their difficulties, such as Josh's sexuality and Stevie's eating disorder. They loved each other unconditionally, despite their differences. However, their friendship also had its flaws. Josh was sometimes selfish and reckless, putting Stevie in danger or making her lie for him. Stevie was sometimes jealous and possessive, wanting Josh all for herself. Their friendship ended tragically, when Stevie exposed Josh's secret to their father, leading to his death. Stevie feels guilty and betrayed by Josh, who left her alone in the world. However, the book also shows how friendship can be renewed and formed. Stevie makes new friends at Eden Hills, such as Anna and Ashley, who help her to cope with her eating disorder and to have fun. She also makes peace with Josh, understanding that he did not mean to hurt her or leave her.
Identity: The book shows how identity can be a source of pride and confidence, but also of confusion and insecurity. Stevie's identity is shaped by many factors, such as her family, her friends, her sexuality, her eating disorder, and her guilt. She struggles to find out who she is and what she wants in life. She feels like she does not belong anywhere, that she is not good enough for anyone, that she is not worthy of love or happiness. She defines herself by her weight, her calories, her mistakes, and her death wish. However, the book also shows how identity can be discovered and embraced. Stevie learns to accept herself as she is, without comparing herself to others or trying to please them. She learns to express herself through art, music, writing, and humor. She learns to explore her sexuality without shame or fear. She learns to value herself beyond her appearance or achievements. She learns to love herself as a whole person.
Forgiveness: The book shows how forgiveness can be a source of healing and freedom, but also of difficulty and resistance. Stevie has a hard time forgiving herself and others for the things that happened in the past. She blames herself for Josh's death, for ruining his life and hers. She blames Josh for leaving her alone, for breaking his promise to stay with her forever. She blames her father for being cruel and uncaring, for driving away Josh and her mother. She blames her mother for abandoning Strengths and weaknesses
Paperweight by Meg Haston is a book that has many strengths and few weaknesses. Some of its strengths are:
Its realistic and sensitive depiction of eating disorders and mental health issues. The book does not glamorize or trivialize the struggles of Stevie and other characters who suffer from eating disorders and mental health issues. It shows the physical, emotional, and psychological effects of these conditions, as well as the challenges and benefits of treatment. It also addresses the stigma and stereotypes that surround these issues, and the importance of awareness and support.
Its emotional resonance and relatability. The book makes the reader feel a lot of emotions, such as anger, sadness, fear, hope, and more. It makes the reader care about the characters and their stories, and root for their recovery and happiness. It also makes the reader relate to the characters and their experiences, as they deal with universal themes such as family, friendship, identity, and forgiveness.
Its positive message of hope and recovery. The book does not sugarcoat or simplify the reality of eating disorders and mental health issues. It shows that they are complex and serious problems that require professional help and personal commitment. It also shows that they are not hopeless or irreversible problems that define a person's life. It shows that there is always a possibility of healing and change, as long as a person is willing to accept themselves, seek help, and fight for their life.
Some of its weaknesses are:
Its potential triggers and clichés. The book contains some scenes and descriptions that might be triggering or upsetting for some readers, especially those who have personal experience with eating disorders, mental health issues, suicide, or abuse. The book also contains some clichés that might be predictable or unrealistic for some readers, such as the mysterious founder with a dark past, the cheerful roommate with a hidden secret, or the dramatic climax with a twist.
Rating and recommendation
Based on its overall quality and impact, we rate Paperweight by Meg Haston 4 out of 5 stars. We think it is a well-written, well-researched, well-developed, and well-meaning book that deserves to be read and appreciated by many readers.
We recommend Paperweight by Meg Haston to anyone who is interested in reading a powerful and moving young adult novel that deals with eating disorders, mental health, and grief. We also recommend it to anyone who is looking for a realistic and sensitive portrayal of these issues, or who is looking for a positive message of hope and recovery.
We do not recommend Paperweight by Meg Haston to anyone who is sensitive or triggered by these issues, or who is looking for a light-hearted or humorous read.
Paperweight by Meg Haston: FAQs
In this section, we will summarize the main points of the article and provide a list of frequently asked questions about the book Paperweight by Meg Haston.
Summary
Paperweight by Meg Haston is a young adult contemporary novel that tells the story of Stevie, a 17-year-old girl who is sent to an eating disorder treatment center in New Mexico after her brother's death. There, she has to face her past traumas, her present struggles, and her future plans - which include ending her life on the anniversary of her brother's death. The book is written in the first-person point of view of Stevie, who narrates her present experiences at Eden Hills and her past memories of Josh and her family. The book alternates between these two timelines, creating a sense of suspense and mystery as the reader gradually learns more about Stevie's backstory and motivation. The book also uses flashbacks, dual perspectives, and symbolism to enhance the plot development and the emotional impact.
The book explores several themes that are relevant and meaningful for young adult readers, such as family, friendship, identity, forgiveness, eating disorders, mental health, suicide, and recovery. The book focuses on Stevie's journey of healing from her eating disorder, guilt, and trauma. At the beginning of the book, Stevie is angry, bitter, depressed, and suicidal. She hates herself and everyone around her. She refuses to cooperate with the treatment program or to open up to anyone. She pushes away anyone who tries to help her or care for her. She is determined to die on the anniversary of Josh's death, believing that it is the only way to atone for her mistake and to reunite with him. However, as the book progresses, Stevie gradually changes and grows. She starts to form friendships with Anna and Ashley, who support her and challenge her. She starts to trust Shrink-Sue, who helps her to face her emotions and thoughts. She starts to respect Eden, who shares her own story of recovery and redemption. She starts to question her beliefs and assumptions about herself and her life. She starts to realize that she is not alone in her struggle, and that there might be a way out of the darkness. By the end of the book, Stevie is a different person. She is still struggling, but she is also hopeful. She accepts herself and others. She cooperates with the treatment program and makes progress. She opens up to her friends and family. She forgives herself and Josh. She chooses to live and to heal.
The book is a well-written, well-researched, well-developed, and well-meaning book that deserves to be read and appreciated by many readers. It has many strengths, such as its realistic and s