
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with body image, the pressures of social media, or a volatile relationship with a parent struggling with mental health. It follows Angie, a girl often defined by her weight and her brother's death, as she finds her voice through music and navigates the complexities of first loves and viral fame. The book tackles heavy themes of self-worth and family dysfunction with a raw, authentic honesty that provides vital representation for teens who feel like they do not fit the traditional mold. Due to intense themes of grief, bullying, and parental instability, it is best suited for mature readers aged 14 and up who are ready to engage with the messy realities of growing up.
Exploration of queer identity, first loves, and kissing.
Themes of grief over a sibling's death and a mother's mental health crisis.
Grief and the death of a sibling, fat-shaming and intense bullying, verbal and emotional abuse from a parent, parental mental health crisis, and mentions of self-harm history from previous books in the series.
A high schooler who feels marginalized by their body type or family circumstances and is looking for a protagonist who doesn't have a "perfect" life or a "perfect" recovery. It is for the teen who uses art or music to survive their surroundings.
Parents should be aware of the intense verbal cruelty Angie faces from her mother and peers. It is helpful to read this as part of the series. Parents should be prepared to discuss the specific examples of verbal abuse and manipulation Angie experiences, and how those behaviors can damage relationships. A parent might reach for this when their teen expresses deep insecurity about their body image, or when the family is navigating the fallout of a sibling's death or a parent's mental health struggle.
Younger teens (14) will likely focus on the romantic triangles and the social media aspect. Older teens (17-18) will better appreciate the nuanced depiction of parental instability and the long-term work of building self-worth.
Unlike many YA novels that shy away from the challenges of navigating a world that can be hostile to fat queer girls, this book is unapologetically messy and honest. It refuses to give the protagonist an easy path, making her eventual triumphs feel hard-won and deeply earned. """
Angie's life is a whirlwind of viral fame after a singing video goes public, but her internal world is far more chaotic. As she prepares for an online music competition, she must balance her burgeoning feelings for the new girl, Jamboree, with the lingering presence of her ex-girlfriend, KC Romance. All the while, she navigates a deeply fractured relationship with her unstable mother and the heavy legacy of her deceased brother.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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