About This Book
Reach for this book when you have a teenager who seems to be using sarcasm or a tough exterior to mask deep-seated loneliness or family disconnect. Margaux is beautiful, smart, and often biting in her observations, but she is also navigating a home life where she feels invisible. This story explores how she begins to lower her guard when she forms an unlikely friendship with a boy who is as physically vulnerable as she is emotionally guarded. It is a poignant choice for parents looking to open a dialogue about the difference between popularity and genuine connection. The book deals with the complexities of adolescence, including high school social dynamics and neglectful parenting, in a way that feels authentic rather than clinical. It captures the specific L.A. atmosphere of malls and freeways, using it as a backdrop for Margaux's internal journey toward empathy. Parents will appreciate how the story encourages teens to look past superficial labels and recognize the value in their own unique, and perhaps 'weird,' perspectives.
