
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with their sense of self-worth due to a volatile home environment or is navigating the complicated transition into a foster or 'chosen' family. It speaks directly to the child who uses anger as a shield and needs to see that vulnerability is a form of strength rather than a weakness. Fishkill Carmel is a thirteen year old girl who has survived through fierce self-reliance and physical toughness. When she is taken in by an eccentric classmate and her mother, she must learn how to accept love and stability for the first time. This is a gritty, realistic, and deeply moving story for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers that explores poverty, neglect, and the profound power of found community. It is a raw but ultimately hopeful choice for parents looking to validate a teen's difficult experiences while offering a path toward healing.
Characters must navigate lying to authorities to keep their 'chosen' family together.
Deals with severe child neglect, homelessness, and the cycle of poverty.
The protagonist frequently uses physical fighting as a defense mechanism.
The book deals directly and realistically with child neglect, poverty, and emotional instability. It features a tragic character death that is handled with secular gravity. The resolution is realistic rather than fairy-tale: it is hopeful because Fishkill chooses her own path, but the scars of her past remain.
A 13 to 15 year old who feels like an outsider or who has experienced the 'foster' experience, either formally or informally. It’s for the teen who appreciates a 'tough' voice and doesn't want things sugar-coated.
Parents should be aware of the 'unfathomable tragedy' mentioned in the blurb, which involves a significant loss. Previewing the final third of the book is recommended to prepare for the emotional weight. A parent might see their child lashing out physically or verbally, using a 'tough' exterior to hide deep insecurity or trauma regarding their family situation.
Younger teens (12-13) will focus on the friendship between Duck-Duck and Fishkill. Older teens (15+) will better grasp the nuance of the mother's mental health struggles and the systemic failures Fishkill faces.
The voice is exceptionally sharp and unsentimental. Lehrer avoids the 'magical savior' trope by making Fishkill’s journey to trust feel earned and difficult.
Born in a car and raised in neglect, thirteen year old Carmel Fishkill (now 'Fishkill') moves to a new town with her unstable mother. She survives by being 'tough' and invisible until she meets Duck-Duck Farina, a whimsical and optimistic peer. Duck-Duck and her mother, Molly, offer Fishkill a glimpse of a different life: one with regular meals, safety, and affection. However, Fishkill's past and her mother's volatility threaten this new foundation, leading to a tragic climax that forces Fishkill to choose between the life she was born into and the one she wants to build.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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