About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the invisible weight of family responsibility or witnessing a loved one's struggle with addiction. Gather tells the story of Ian, a resourceful Vermont teen who must navigate the fallout of his mother's opioid crisis while trying to keep his home and his dog. It is a soulful exploration of rural poverty, the dignity of manual labor, and the fierce loyalty between a boy and his pet. While the themes are heavy, the tone is grounded and hopeful, focusing on the grit required to survive when the safety nets fail. It is an essential read for developing empathy and understanding the complexities of the modern opioid epidemic through a teen's eyes.
