About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating the aftermath of a mental health crisis or struggling with the heavy weight of social shame. It is a compassionate exploration of how we rebuild ourselves after our lowest moments. Seventeen year old Joel, known as Solo, takes a job at a 1990s video store to practice being normal again after a traumatic event. The story balances the gravity of depression and guilt with the lighthearted nostalgia of movie marathons and quirky workplace bonds. It is a sophisticated, deeply empathetic choice for mature teens who need to see that their past mistakes or illnesses do not define their entire future. While it deals with serious themes, the overall tone is one of healing, friendship, and the slow, necessary work of self forgiveness.
