In the end, I still really liked this book. I can see how someone who suffered from cutting might be disappointed by Callie's story, in which the cutting and depression all boil down to a specific incident -- this is very different from someone who experiences mental illness from childhood on, so I could see a lot of people feeling isolated from the protagonist. But as a narrative, it is very strong, and Callie and her cohort are sympathetic. I believe that McCormick did do a lot of research and probably soul-searching to write it. And I love love love books that accurately portray psychotherapy.

[Earlier:] Ah!! This reads so much like John Marsden! Or good Laurie Anderson! All y/a should aspire to this, I feel. This is the third y/a I've read in the last year that features a mute-by-choice protagonist. I thought I would be displeased with the use of second person to address the therapist, but somehow, maybe because the rest of the book is in first person, it just seems more intimate, and the therapist more highlighted as an important character. I think it was actually a smart choice, probably one that McCormick debated for a long time. I'm really impressed, and totally sucked in.