There are many aspects of Second Star to the Right which may be of concern to some readers or parents. First, there is attempted suicide in the form of anorexia nervosa; second, there is deception as Leslie lies to all those around her in order to conceal her condition; and third, there is the terrible memory of the Holocaust which looms throughout the actions of Mrs. Hiller and Leslie.

But perhaps the biggest concern should be why Leslie's eating disorder went unnoticed for so long; it is true that this book was published in 1981, which is before the death of singer Karen Carpenter from anorexia nervosa and before the disease was so well known. However, American society places so much emphasis on being thin that Leslie kept receiving compliments for losing weight. It is not until she can hardly stand up and walk that she is...