
Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating the complex waters of first love, the desire for independence, or the feeling that their physical or mental health challenges define them in the eyes of others. This is a poignant, honest look at the friendship between Amy, who has cerebral palsy, and Matthew, who lives with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It moves beyond the clinical to explore the messy, beautiful reality of two young people trying to be seen for who they truly are. Parents will appreciate how the story tackles the transition to adulthood and the courage it takes to be vulnerable. It is a secular, realistic narrative that avoids inspiration porn tropes, instead offering a grounded depiction of disability and mental health. This is an ideal choice for fostering empathy and discussing the importance of communication in any relationship, making it a powerful tool for teens seeking representation or those looking to understand the diverse experiences of their peers.
Includes discussions of sexual desire, a pregnancy scare, and physical intimacy.
Explores themes of isolation, frustration with disability, and intrusive thoughts.
Realistic depictions of mental health struggles including intrusive thoughts, depictions of a character dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, and some sexual content appropriate for the upper YA age range.
A 16-year-old who feels pigeonholed by a diagnosis or physical limitation and is looking for a story that treats their desire for romance and autonomy with dignity and realism.
This book can be read cold, but parents should be aware it contains mature themes regarding physical intimacy and the realities of reproductive health, handled with a focus on responsibility and communication. A parent hears their teenager say, "I feel like everyone just sees my disability first and me second," or notices their child is withdrawing because they feel their mental health makes them "unloveable."
Younger teens (14) will focus on the social dynamics of the high school setting and the budding romance. Older teens (17-18) will resonate more deeply with the anxiety surrounding the transition to college and the loss of the high school support system.
Unlike many stories that feature a disabled protagonist and a non-disabled love interest, this book presents two protagonists with different types of challenges (physical and neurological). It creates a unique parity that avoids the "caregiver" dynamic often seen in disability literature.
Amy, a high school senior with cerebral palsy that limits her speech and movement, recruits peers to be her student aides. She hires Matthew, a boy struggling with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that manifests as debilitating intrusive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors. What begins as a professional arrangement evolves into a complex, sometimes messy romantic connection as they navigate their final year of school, college applications, and the terrifying prospect of independent adult lives.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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