About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is on the cusp of a major life transition, such as leaving for college or moving away, and is beginning to see their family members as complex people with their own histories. This beautifully layered novel follows eighteen-year-old Jess as she prepares to leave for France, framed by the stories her family shares during her farewell party. Through these vignettes, the book explores the hidden sacrifices, secret loves, and deep-seated grief that shaped previous generations. A parent might choose this book to help a young adult process the bittersweet nature of growing up and moving on. It deals honestly with historical class struggles, religious prejudice between Catholics and Protestants, and the impact of losing a sibling. While it touches on heavy themes like disability and death, it ultimately provides comfort by showing how family bonds endure through time and change. It is a sophisticated read for ages 12 and up that encourages empathy for the adults in a child's life.
