Everyone in fifteen-year-old Bella’s life needs something from her. Her mom needs her to help around the house, her dad needs her to not make waves, her ex needs her to not be so much. The only person who never needed anything from her was her grandmother—and now she’s dead.
There’s only one thing that dulls the pressure: alcohol. Vodka, beer, peppermint schnapps—alcohol smooths the sharp edges of Bella’s life. And what’s the big deal? Everyone drinks. Besides, Bella can stop whenever she wants. But after she gets blackout drunk at a Thanksgiving party and wakes up in the hospital, it’s time to face reality. And for Bella, reality means rehab.
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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
At first, I did not think I was going to enjoy reading this book as I was unsure about the main character 15-year-old Bella, however that soon changed. She is trying so hard to manage many things in her everyday life – schoolwork, working part-time, the demands of her younger sister, her social life and friends, the separate lives of her parents and their dramas. While Bella has used drink before the death of her grandma and a bad experience with her friends sees her using drink as her helper but that has failed her to the extent she ends up in hospital with alcohol poisoning. This is a very powerful, hard hitting and unforgettable read and I found myself cheering for Bella as she faced the new challenges of working her way through the process of rehab and the new people who entered her life. I would certainly recommend this book to any teenager as well as others to gain an understanding of addiction and the process and difficulties of overcoming the situation. Marg, VIC, 5 stars
It’s not a book a typically would have picked up so thank you very much to Better Reading for providing this advance reading copy. It is amazing to follow Bella through her struggles. Finding excuses and blaming other people for her drinking. Thanksgiving is the long weekend she believes she will stop (not that it is a problem). Let down by so called “friends” and waking up in hospital still does not really make her believe she is an alcoholic. The problems the other teens have in rehab are various and you feel for these young people. This amazing journey is impressive. Nothing is glossed over but explains how and why this can happen. No instant “happy ending” but a a story and conclusion that makes it feel so real. A wonderful book, not just for young adults but any person should read this Sandra, NSW, 5 stars
This book started out a bit blah for me but once I got to know the character Bella a bit more and the people she meets in rehab I became engrossed in the pages. So much about this story made me feel it was based on someone’s experience like a memoir and when I got to the end I understood! Such an open, honest and painful story. Madison, SA, 4 stars
A really engaging read, deep and heartfelt, Bella’s loss leads her on a winding journey, struggling and drowning in her sorrow. Shows rawness to the reader, can be uncomfortable but an honest read. Bella had an addiction that took pain for her to get through to other side, a real page turner, well written. Julie, NSW, 4 stars
I throughly enjoyed reading The Glass Girl centred around Bella a 15 year old with drinking issues. What drew me in was that the story came from Bella’s point of view and all the feelings and thoughts of a teen. We know Bella has just lost her Grandma and that her parents have divorced and live separately. Bella drinks to ease her pain and finds many different ways to hide who much she is drinking until a terrible accident happens and she ends up in rehab. While reading I became involved in the whole story and learnt about different addictions for both teens and adults and learnt a lot about rehab. I recommend reading this book with an open mind and to look out for your family, friends, colleagues and anyone you know. Celina, 13 and above, NSW, 4 stars
I found this book interesting and illuminating. As an older person it was upsetting to read about Bella’s difficulties in dealing with problems that weren’t entirely her fault. Sometimes parents who are dealing with their own problems forget how much they damage their children, unintentionally, it would be a good book for young people to read to learn how to cope with temptation. Gloria, SA, 4 stars
A great read. Highly recommend. Maree, TAS, 4 stars
Incredible book, as a woman who has dealt with addiction in her family, it was amazing! Jess, 10, NSW, 4 stars
16 year old Bella Leahey can’t seem to catch a break. Everyone wants something from her – her friends, her teachers, her little sister – and especially her parents. Alcohol is a way for Bella to blur the lines of life and drown out the constant, jarring noise. Bella’s drinking intensifies and ultimately, disaster strikes. Bella is sent to rehab, where she has to deal with her growing addiction without the balm she knows so well and in doing so – face a new reality in order to get better. Written with empathy and strong sense of self, The Glass Girl is relevant and fresh, portraying a young woman struggling with self in a modern world. Kathleen Glasgow captures the voice and essence of what it’s like to be 16, grappling with insecurities and boundaries as Bella navigates her way through life. The Glass Girl isn’t afraid to shine a light on the broken and sharp qualities of life, highlighting imperfect and realistic relationships and the muddled layers within. Allyson, VIC, 3 stars
The Glass Girl follows fifteen‑year‑old Bella, overwhelmed by the demands of family, friends, and school, who turns to alcohol as her escape. After a dangerous blackout lands her in the hospital, she’s forced to confront reality and enter rehab. E-ZPass® West Virginia
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