Please Don't Go

by Elizabeth Benning

Zibby Lloyd’s food binges and purges have gone on for months. When her bulimia becomes life-threatening, she’s sent to Hope House, a residence for kids with serious medical problems. Zibby hates it there; as far as she’s concerned, her only problem is how to get out!

When Zibby hears she’s getting a roommate, she’s furious. She’s doubly mad when Lauren Kent arrives. Lauren is a beautiful, perfect girl Zibby has known her whole life. Only now it looks as if Lauren isn’t so perfect: she’s anorexic. The two lifelong enemies are united at last—in a plan to escape from Hope House. But will the mission that brings them together as friends also endanger their lives?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1969

Reviews

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 2 out of 5]

PLEASE DON’T GO is a quick read, narrated by a hospitalized thirteen-year-old bulimic.

Filled with every trope imaginable, PLEASE DON’T GO must have been written before HIPAA as nurses and doctors openly discuss patients’ conditions and treatments with everyone who asks.

I supposed this cautionary tale might be enjoyable to some middle grade readers, but I think the genre has become more sophisticated since PLEASE DON’T GO was written.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally found the book I have been looking for for the last 27 years. Does not hold up.

[N · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can probably understand why this book would have appealed to young girls when it was written, and hopefully it was even helpful to some. However, it now seems terribly dated and does have some very problematic issues, both from social and literary perspectives, so I would not recommend it for acquisition in contemporary libraries.

[Tina Nelligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Read

This is a wonderful read the author tells the story so descriptive I could not put it down. I can also put this on the list of the few books of that made me cry. Great books every one.

[Sheena · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time fav.

Very important young adult novel.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was back in middle school. I still refer back to this book. Especially when the girls are asked to pick the body type that they think they are. My 8th grade art teacher used this as an idea for a girls group after school and it turned out pretty good. We traced each other than colored ourselves in and stuck them on 4 boxes stacked on top. We then cut out figures so the boxes could turn and therefore Jane Doe's head could be on Janet Smith's body and on and on

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total young adult book that I read many moons ago that opened my eyes to the real issues that come out when dealing with a eating disorder.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a bittersweet story with a perfect mix of sarcasm, humour, hope, sadness, and romance.

[Diana Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this book is generic and cliche, I happen to love it even to this day. I picked it up in a library when I was younger, and had to buy it. Quick read, about two friends with eating disorders.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one that I read in middle school and loved.

[Victoria Lie]

one of the most influential reading experiences I've had

[Katastrofekat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A re-read from when I was ten years old, or about that