Friday, August 6, 2010

Rae by Chelsea Rae Swiggett


When you're fourteen and trying to deal with the highs, lows, traumas, and humiliations that go along with being a high school freshman, having severe anxiety can become all consuming. Chelsea Rae Swiggett's anxiety has affected every area of her life—school, family, friendships, and romance—ultimately pushing her to lose her voice, withdrawal from everyday life and school, and develop an eating disorder.

The sounds of planes flying overhead could spark a panic attack and something as simple as being called on in class could push her over the edge, convinced that everyone was judging her, mocking her. Faking sickness so she could stay home became her only solution, since she'd rather do anything than face the reality of what happened behind the school's double doors. Rae tells a story all-too-many teens today relate to—what it feels like to see the world through a lens of constant debilitating fear, anxiety, and stress.


Rae is a memoir that was written by Chelsea of The Page Flipper. It’s about her struggle with Anxiety and Social Phobia. As soon as I got this book, I ran to my room and started to read. When I was not-far into it, I started to realize how different the book would be from what I usually read, since I have never read a memoir before.
I found that with some things, I could relate to Chelsea and what she went through. When reading it, I didn’t feel as if I was reading about a stranger. The way that Chelsea wrote it is like she is inviting you into her life to hear about her story. Even though it’s not easy to read about what she went through, reading the book was easy. The writing was fluid and everything was explained well.
I love this book. I love the fact that Chelsea was willing to share her story with us. I love the fact that it will give teens something they can relate to. I strongly recommend reading it.

FTC- Bought.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Ive seen this before but never really new much about it.

Thanks for your review!

Deborah Reber said...

Thanks for reviewing RAE, Zoe! What you said about reading memoirs is what I love so much about this series - these are REAL girls writing about their REAL lives. It definitely changes the experience in reading it, and makes you connect in a way it's hard to do with fiction. Glad you liked it!
XOXO Deborah Reber, editor of Louder Than Words

Khy said...

Yay Chelsea! (I feel so odd calling her Rae. xD)