No one knows Valerie Chu’s secret. For the longest time, Valerie’s mother has always been watching what Valerie eats, and telling her to lose weight, no matter what. You have to be thin to be happy… right? As Valerie’s eating habits worsen, family tragedy occurs. Her stressed mother is now putting even more pressure on her daughter than she can handle. Will Valerie ever see herself as someone who is already beautiful enough?

Loosely based on the author’s true thoughts, Hungry Ghost is a book about self-love, even if others judge you for who you are. The story was really heartbreaking for me, very well narrated and it felt so real just to read. Though I did find one tragic part of the book to be a little unexpected, I guess it gave the book some more family drama.

The artwork, font, and simple choice of colors suit the book really well. I like how there isn’t a lot of shading in the illustrations, yet how the colors don’t look too flat when paired with more detailed line art. Recommended to young people who feel like Valerie sometimes. You are beautiful just the way you are.