There are a lot of different addictions out there these days.  Most people deal with one at one point or another in their life.  Whether they themselves become addicted, or someone they know become addicted. 

For fifteen year old Nancy, the addiction is cutting.  Nancy does not have many friends to confide in and does not know other ways to release the pain.  Her best friend is Katie, and she cuts as well. 

They do not cut themselves by accident, they do it purposely and regularly.  Like any other addiction, it became habit for them. 

Now, I am not going to go into a whole long winded speech about the addiction this author writes about, however there are a few things I want to point out.  First off, everybody knows it is a bad thing to start, even if they are a cutter.  You are an abuser and the victim at the same time. 

Those that cut do have their reasons of course.  Perhaps it is because physical pain is comforting, or easier to deal with.  Some may say they cut as a form of punishment.  Needless to say there are many different reasons someone succumbs to the addiction. 

Nancy and Katie also do drugs and drink alcohol- vodka preferably.  It is not necessarily an addiction like the cutting for them, but it does seem to be problematic.  Her parents were alcoholics as well, but in the end they go to alcoholics anonymous to get help. 

Nancy has a boyfriend, Mike.  He was a Senior while Nancy was a Sophomore.  Mike drank as well, but never as much as nancy ever did.  He did not like any of Nancy’s addictions and tried to stop her countless times.

Eventually Nancy’s problems became too huge to deal with, so she was sent to a mental hospital, an every day she had to talk to Dr. Pear Butt ( the name other patients affectionately gave him). 

After she gets out of the mental hospital, things are different for Nancy.  School, homelife, friends, etc…

What happened between her and her family?  The relationship (or lack thereof) with Mike?  How is her best friend, Katie? 

Well, to find out these answers I suggest you find a copy of the book and find out for yourself. 

Shelley Stoehr’s book Crosses is a great book about pain, addiction, depression, best friends, love, family, among a list of many other things.  In my opinion, it is well worth the read.