
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the toxic realities of digital footprints, cyberbullying, or the heavy weight of social media pressure. This intense contemporary novel follows fifteen-year-old Lara, who attempts suicide after a boy she likes online turns out to be a cruel fake profile created to humiliate her. Beyond the initial tragedy, the story expands to show the ripple effects of digital cruelty on families, perpetrators, and onlookers alike. It is a vital tool for parents who want to discuss digital responsibility, the permanence of online actions, and the long road to rebuilding one's self-esteem after public shame. While the themes are heavy, the book offers a necessary look at accountability and the complex process of healing in a hyper-connected world.
Explores the legal and social gray areas of online harassment and parental involvement.
Depicts a serious suicide attempt and the subsequent stay in a psychiatric facility.
The book deals directly and intensely with suicide attempts, depression, and cyberbullying. The approach is secular and realistic, focusing on the psychological impact rather than a metaphorical representation. The resolution is hopeful but grounded, emphasizing that while things won't return to 'normal,' healing is possible through therapy and honest communication.
A high schooler who feels the pressure of online perfection or who has witnessed (or participated in) 'cancel culture' and needs to understand the human cost behind the screen.
Parents should be aware that the book opens with a suicide attempt. It is best read together or with frequent check-ins to process the heavy themes of betrayal and self-harm. A parent might reach for this after finding their child crying over social media comments or if a school-wide bullying incident has occurred.
Younger teens (13) will likely focus on the 'mean girl' aspect and the shock of the reveal. Older teens (16+) will better grasp the legal ramifications and the nuanced exploration of how parents can sometimes enable their children's worst behaviors. DIFERENTIATOR: Unlike many bullying books that focus only on the victim, this story provides the perspectives of the bully and the siblings, showing how one digital act creates a web of trauma for everyone involved.
After fifteen-year-old Lara is publicly humiliated by an online 'boyfriend' named Christian, she attempts suicide. The community is rocked when it is revealed that 'Christian' was actually a fake profile created by Lara's former best friend, Bree, and Bree's mother. The narrative rotates through four perspectives: Lara, her sister Sydney, Bree, and Bree's brother Liam, tracking the legal, social, and emotional fallout of the hoax.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review