Bedlam

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with a sudden family relocation or a fractured relationship with a mother figure. It speaks to the feeling of being uprooted and the frustration of feeling unheard by adults who are hiding their own secrets. While the plot leans into mystery and suspense, the core of the story is about a young girl reclaiming her agency in a world that feels both boring and dangerously unpredictable. Lexi is sixteen and resentful of her new life in the countryside, but the discovery of an abandoned asylum shifts the narrative from a domestic drama into a high-stakes thriller. It explores themes of bravery, trust, and the blurred lines between reality and imagination. Parents will appreciate how it validates a teen's need for independence while providing a gripping, fast-paced mystery that addresses the complexity of parent-child reconciliation. It is best suited for mature middle grade readers and young teens who enjoy a touch of the eerie.