About This Book
Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with the emotional aftermath of a difficult experience or feels 'stuck' in a period of grief or numbness. It is a quiet, lyrical story about Mary Mehan, a young woman who witnessed the horrors of the Civil War as a nurse and must now find her way back to her own life and senses. Set in the lush, natural world of a scientist's home on the shores of Lake Ontario, the story explores themes of post-traumatic healing, the restorative power of nature, and the beauty of gentle, patient love. It is deeply appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven narratives. Parents will value how the book validates the time it takes to heal and the importance of finding a safe space to grow after trauma.
