About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is struggling with the emotional complexity of a parent's mental health diagnosis, specifically one that feels unpredictable or heavy like bipolar disorder. It is an essential choice for children who are taking on too much emotional labor at home and need to see that it is not their job to fix their parents. The story follows twelve year old Harbor as she navigates life between her mother's home at the Sunrise Lagoon resort and her father's house. While Harbor excels in her elite basketball league, she is secretly managing intense anxiety about her mother's mental health and the shifting dynamics of her family. This gentle, contemporary novel is highly appropriate for the 8 to 12 age range. It offers a realistic yet hopeful look at how a child can find their own identity and joy even when their family life feels uncertain. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's worry while ultimately encouraging them to prioritize their own growth and well-being.
