
This compelling young adult novel follows seventeen-year-old Alyssa, whose life is upended when her father disowns her for being a lesbian. Forced to leave her girlfriend and best friends behind, she moves to a small Colorado town to live with the biological mother she barely knows. The story explores Alyssa's journey of self-discovery, resilience, and her struggle to build a new life while grappling with the pain of her past and the challenges of finding acceptance. It's a poignant look at first love, family estrangement, and the courage it takes to be true to oneself.
Focuses on first love and a lesbian relationship.
Family crisis involving emotional abuse and parental abandonment. The narrative depicts a child being disowned and forced out of her home.
A teenager feeling isolated by family dynamics or dealing with the pain of rejection. It is particularly resonant for young adults who are navigating the complexity of being "the new kid" or those who are building relationships with estranged family members.
Parents should be prepared to discuss the theme of parental rejection. The father's actions are harsh, and readers may need support processing the idea that a parent could prioritize their personal biases over their child's well-being. It can be read cold, but conversation is recommended if the child is currently experiencing family instability. A child expresses that they feel unloved by a parent or safe-guardian, or a child is struggling with the aftermath of a major move that was not their choice.
Younger teens will focus on the romantic drama and the difficulty of high school social circles. Older readers will more deeply appreciate the nuance of the mother-daughter reconciliation and the psychological toll of the father's abandonment.
Unlike many stories that focus solely on the "coming out" moment, this book tackles the difficult "what happens next" when the family reaction is negative, focusing heavily on the work of rebuilding a life and a chosen family from the ground up.
After being disowned by her father for being a lesbian, seventeen-year-old Alyssa is uprooted and sent to live with her estranged mother in a small Colorado town. Alyssa must navigate the trauma of rejection, the awkwardness of meeting a biological parent she never knew, and the typical social pressures of high school, all while trying to heal her broken heart and find a new sense of belonging.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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