About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts asking difficult questions about family legacy or expresses a quiet fear of becoming just like a struggling parent. It is a lifeline for children who carry the heavy weight of a family member's mental illness and need to see that their future is not a foregone conclusion. The story follows twelve year old Sarah, who lives with her alcoholic father and writes letters to Atticus Finch to process the fact that her mother is institutionalized after a violent breakdown. It explores themes of identity, the first bloom of a summer crush, and the courage required to define oneself apart from family trauma. Parents will find it a sophisticated tool for discussing mental health and the difference between inherited traits and personal choices. It is best suited for middle schoolers due to the intense nature of the mother's backstory.
