This is a great YA graphic novel about self image and self acceptance.

**Thanks to NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of LIGHTER THAN MY SHADOW in exchange for my honest review**

GRADE: C-
2.5 STARS

Katie Green's graphic memoir tells the story of her eventual recovery from eating disorders and sexual assault.

The strongest part of LIGHTER THAN MY SHADOW was the use of metaphor in the drawing. The illustrations of people were also the weakest component in that many the characters were almost indistinguishable from each other.

I was confused in the beginning of the story as to Katie's age, she could have been three or thirteen. LIGHTER THAN MY MY SHADOW often repeated scenarios and while eating disorders are composed of repetitive behaviors, Green depicted them in an unoriginal manner. While graphic novels should be strong examples of showing vs telling, towards the end of the story Green used information dumps to write "this happened, this happened then this happened".

I wanted to empathize with and like Katie, but I had difficulty connecting to the character in the way the story unfolded. Green certainly has drawing talent. Perhaps a less personal story might have more perspective.