Adolescent Self-Harm Behavior And Choke By Diana López

Abstract

Participation in the choking game, termed self-asphyxial risk-taking behavior (SAB), threatens the well-being of adolescents. The realistic novel Choke (2012) by Diana López addresses this urgent topic along with themes of friendship, self-knowledge, and purpose. San Antonio, Texas eighth grader Windy Soto succumbs to Nina Díaz's peer pressure to participate in this risk activity. López's novel fits the genre of the new young adult problem novel that presents a social issue within a realistic work of literary fiction. Choke links with other problem novels portraying adolescent self-harm behavior that could be used in programs for prevention.