
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with family secrets, the burden of a parent's past mistakes, or the feeling of being trapped by a history they did not create. It is a profound choice for young adults navigating the complex emotions of caring for an estranged or ill relative, as well as those questioning their own place in a world that feels increasingly complicated. The story follows seventeen-year-old Carson as he helps his mother care for his dying, alcoholic father in Montana. His life takes a turn when he meets Aisha, a girl running from her own family's rejection. Together, they embark on a cross-country road trip to uncover a long-buried family mystery. While the book handles heavy themes like addiction, terminal illness, and LGBTQ+ identity, it maintains a spirit of adventure and discovery. It is best suited for older teens (14+) who are ready for a realistic, sometimes gritty exploration of forgiveness and the messy truths that define us.
Realistic teenage profanity throughout.
Themes of abandonment and terminal illness are prominent.
Frequent discussion of chronic alcoholism and its terminal physical effects.
Terminal illness (liver failure), chronic alcoholism and its physical toll, abandonment, homelessness due to family rejection after coming out as queer, and discussions of historical homophobia and its consequences, including family rejection and societal discrimination.
A high schooler who feels burdened by their family's past or someone who is struggling to reconcile their love for a parent with that parent's destructive behavior. It is perfect for a teen who values intellectual curiosity and wants a story that balances grit with humor.
This book can be read cold by most teens, but parents may want to be ready to discuss the physical realities of end-of-life care for a person with addiction, as the depictions of Carson's father's illness are quite realistic. A child expresses deep anger or hopelessness regarding a parent's addiction, or perhaps asks questions about why some family members are no longer spoken about.
Younger teens will focus on the adventure of the road trip and the mystery of the missing grandfather. Older teens will more deeply grasp the nuances of the intergenerational trauma and the complexity of forgiving someone who hasn't asked for it.
This book stands out for its unique blend of a quirky, almost surreal road trip mystery with a very grounded, sobering look at the damage caused by alcoholism and homophobia and religious intolerance. """
Carson Speier is sent to Billings, Montana, to help his mother care for his estranged, terminally ill father who is dying of complications from long-term alcoholism. While there, he meets Aisha, a local girl who has been kicked out of her home by her religious family after coming out. The two form an intense bond and set off on a road trip to find Carson's grandfather, uncovering a decade-old family mystery involving hidden identities and long-held secrets.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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