Cut

Cut by Patricia McCormick
McCormick, P. (2000). Cut. New York: Scholastic
ISBN: 0439324599

Plot

Callie is placed in a facility called Sea Pines for troubled teens. She is there because she cuts herself. Others are there for drug addiction and eating disorders. Callie is in group therapy with some of these other girls. Callie does not want to speak in group. She allows others to tell their stories instead. Callie narrates her experience with group therapy, her stay in rehab and, through flashbacks, the circumstances that contributed to her becoming self abusive. She speaks directly to her therapist whom she refers to only as "you." She is not making progress in her therapy until a girl named Amanda shows up in group with the same affliction as her own. Amanda's presence is the catalyst for Callie to start facing her problem.

Critical Evaluation

This novel makes for compelling reading. It is powerfully written. The descriptions of the rehab facility bring Callie's situation into sharp focus. The other personalities of the story are seamlessly interwoven into Callie's narrative as are their addictions. The characters are believable. The portrayal of the therapist to whom Callie speaks directly is particularly realistic. There is excellent use of descriptive language. The first scene which describes Callie's experience of cutting herself is marvelous. McCormick is pitch perfect in her depiction of addiction and recovery. The book is paced beautifully.

Readers Annotation

Callie likes to run. She runs cross country at school. She runs home when no one is there. She finds a knife on the table. She cuts herself and feels release. Now her blood runs. But, this gives Callie comfort. Callie is running from herself. Will she be able to turn and face her problems? 

About the Author

Patricia McCormickis a graduate of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She has worked as a journalist, contributing to several national publications. She has taught journalism at Columbia and N.Y.U. She spent 3 years researching her first novel, Cut. She is the mother of two and lives in New York City with her husband and son.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts, Social Studies

Booktalk Ideas: Understanding addiction

Reading Level: Grade 7+
Interest Level: 7+
Challenge Issues: Self mutilation. The depictions of emotional disorders in this novel are sensitively written.

This book is included because it is a riveting account of addiction and recovery.