About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is stuck in the frozen, heavy stage of grief following the loss of a best friend or peer. It speaks directly to the unique guilt of surviving someone your own age and the magical thinking that often accompanies a young person's attempt to keep a connection alive. The story follows fourteen year old Emmy as she navigates the one year anniversary of her friend Kim's death, exploring themes of loyalty, social isolation, and the messy process of letting go. This is a secular, deeply realistic look at the psychological toll of loss. It is appropriate for middle and high schoolers who feel like they are the only ones still hurting while the rest of the world has moved on. Parents will appreciate how the book validates the 'weird' or obsessive ways teens grieve without pathologizing them, ultimately offering a path toward making new connections while still honoring the past.
