About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the pressure of high expectations, whether academic or personal, and seems to be masking their stress with a need for total control. It is an ideal choice for the student who feels their worth is tied to their GPA or for the child currently navigating a family crisis that requires them to grow up too quickly. The story follows Kate, a science-minded overachiever whose world collapses when she is rejected by her dream college while simultaneously having to care for a rival classmate who moves into her home following a fire. While the book deals with heavy themes including grief, poverty, and sudden tragedy, it offers a raw and realistic look at how to find grace in the midst of failure. It is best suited for older teens (14+) due to its emotional intensity and mature situations. Parents will appreciate how it validates the feeling of being overwhelmed and provides a pathway toward letting go of perfectionism. It is a powerful tool for opening doors to conversations about mental health, the reality of college admissions, and the importance of empathy for those whose lives look very different from our own.
