Hungry Ghost

In this graphic novel, high schooler Valerie Chu navigates a life dictated by strict beauty standards and the emotional burden of her mother’s high expectations. Valerie manages her weight through an eating disorder, hiding her purging habits from her best friend, Jordan. When a sudden family tragedy strikes, the thin veneer of her controlled existence shatters. The narrative follows Valerie as she confronts her distorted body image, the cultural pressures of her Chinese-American household, and the physical toll of her secret illness while trying to find a path toward recovery.

This book serves young adult readers and those interested in the psychological realities of disordered eating. Readers find a clinical but empathetic look at how domestic environments and generational trauma shape a person's relationship with food. It provides a specific look at the intersection of cultural identity and mental health. Anyone seeking to understand the internal dialogue of bulimia or the difficulty of breaking family cycles will find a detailed, unsentimental depiction of the struggle to seek professional help and establish personal boundaries.