About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the messy, non-linear reality of grief after the loss of a sibling or close loved one. It is an ideal choice for a young person who feels overwhelmed by the 'bigness' of their emotions and needs to see that joy, mistakes, and even new love can coexist with profound sadness. The story follows seventeen-year-old Lennie, who is reeling from the sudden death of her sister, Bailey. As Lennie struggles to step out of her sister's shadow, she finds herself caught between two boys: one who shares her grief and another who offers a vibrant new beginning through music. Parents should note that while the book is deeply poetic and life-affirming, it contains mature themes including sexual exploration and intense emotional volatility. It is a beautiful resource for normalizing the confusing guilt that often accompanies moving forward after a tragedy.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: The depiction of sudden cardiac death is central. Lennie often finds herself in moments of acute, visceral grief that might be heavy for a reader currently in the 'raw' phase of a similar loss. There are also scenes of physical intimacy and sexual exploration (consensual but intense) that may require maturity. 2. CONVERSATION: Be ready to discuss the 'grief fog' and how it can lead to impulsive decisions. Lennie’s relationship with Toby is born out of shared trauma, and parents may want to discuss the difference between healthy support and using another person to numb pain.
Ideal Reader
A high schooler who loves poetry and music, particularly one who feels they are 'too much' or 'too emotional.' It’s perfect for the artistically-minded teen who uses creative outlets to process the world.
Parent Prep
Preview the scenes where Lennie and Toby interact physically, as these moments are charged with a mix of grief and hormones that might surprise younger readers. A parent might see their teen becoming withdrawn or, conversely, acting out impulsively after a family loss, and realize they need a story that validates the 'wrong' ways people grieve.
Age Experience
Younger teens will focus on the romantic drama and the musical competition; older teens will better appreciate the sophisticated metaphors and the nuanced exploration of identity-formation after loss.
What Makes It Special
Nelson’s prose is exceptionally lyrical, interspersed with poems and musical notations scrawled on scraps of paper, making the book feel like a physical artifact of Lennie’s mind.
Read plot summary
Lennie Walker, a shy musical prodigy, is devastated by the sudden death of her older sister, Bailey. While her eccentric grandmother and uncle try to hold the family together, Lennie finds herself in a complicated romantic tangle. She is drawn to Toby, Bailey’s grieving boyfriend, because he is the only one who misses Bailey as much as she does. Simultaneously, she is captivated by Joe Fontaine, a new boy in town whose musical talent and infectious energy represent a future Lennie isn't sure she's allowed to have.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Lennie leaves poems scattered all over town. Why do you think she chooses to 'lose' her words rather than keep them in a journal?
2
Compare Joe and Toby. What does each boy represent to Lennie in her journey toward healing?
3
Gram says that some people are 'too big for the world.' How does this perspective change the way Lennie views Bailey's life and death?
4
Music is a huge part of Lennie's identity. How does her relationship with her clarinet change as she processes her grief?
5
Is Lennie’s relationship with Toby a betrayal of Bailey, or is it something else? How did your opinion of them change throughout the book?
