
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager feels isolated by a secret burden or is struggling with the weight of being misunderstood by adults and peers. It is a gripping supernatural thriller about Vee, a high schooler who 'slides' into other people's minds, a condition mistaken for narcolepsy. When she experiences a murder through the eyes of a killer, she must navigate a world of secrets to find justice for her friend. The story addresses themes of grief, the isolation of neurodivergence, and the courage it takes to trust your own reality when everyone else calls it a delusion. It is a sophisticated choice for older teens who enjoy high-stakes mysteries with deep emotional resonance.
Visceral descriptions of 'sliding' into a killer's perspective during a violent act.
Descriptions of knife wounds and physical altercations.
The book deals directly with death, suicide (perceived), and violent crime. The approach is secular and realistic, despite the supernatural hook. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges the deep scars left by trauma and the isolation.
A 15-year-old who feels misunderstood or misdiagnosed by the adults in their life. This reader will identify with Vee's frustration at being 'misdiagnosed' by the world and her desire to protect those she loves despite her own vulnerability. DISCUSSION POINTS: A parent might see their child withdrawing or becoming frustrated because they feel their internal experiences are being dismissed as 'just a phase' or 'medicalized' without being understood.
Parents should be aware of the graphic nature of the murder scene and the mentions of self-harm. Scene context: The initial 'slide' into the killer's mind is visceral and may be intense for sensitive readers.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the 'superpower' aspect and the whodunit mystery. Older teens (17-18) will likely resonate more with the themes of institutional distrust and the burden of keeping secrets from family.
Unlike many paranormal YA novels, 'Slide' uses its supernatural conceit as a profound metaphor for empathy and the terrifying reality of seeing the world through a lens no one else shares.
Vee suffers from what others believe is narcolepsy, but in reality, she possesses the ability to 'slide' into the minds of others when they leave behind a strong emotional imprint on an object. The stakes turn deadly when she slides into a killer mid-act, witnessing the murder of her sister's friend, Sophie. With her father and the police convinced Sophie committed suicide, Vee must use her unwanted gift to track a murderer while managing the social pressures of high school and her own burgeoning romantic feelings for a boy named Rollins.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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