About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the overwhelming gravity of a first heartbreak or the heavy fog of grief that makes reality feel unbearable. It is specifically designed for adolescents who feel stuck in the past, offering a bridge between the desire to escape into memories and the difficult work of returning to the present. The story follows Jam, a girl sent to a therapeutic boarding school who discovers a mystical journal that allows her to revisit her lost boyfriend in a dreamlike world called Belzhar. While the premise involves a magical element, the heart of the story is a grounded exploration of trauma, repressed memories, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. It deals with mature emotional themes like depression and the subjective nature of truth, making it an excellent choice for 14 to 18 year olds who appreciate lyrical prose and psychological depth. Parents will find this a helpful tool for discussing the difference between healthy remembering and dangerous avoidance.
