About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is grappling with deep-seated family secrets, the complexities of grief, or a disconnect from their own identity. This poignant novel follows Effie, a girl who runs away from home to search for a father she has never met, a soldier missing since the Vietnam War. It is a raw exploration of the ghosts that haunt families and the difficult journey toward self-forgiveness. The story tackles heavy emotional themes such as shame, the burden of unspoken truths, and the longing for a lost parent. While the narrative is intense and deals with mature subjects including teen pregnancy and trauma, it offers a realistic look at the healing process. Parents of high schoolers will find this a valuable tool for discussing how honesty and confronting the past can eventually lead to emotional freedom.
