About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with climate anxiety or the heavy weight of family secrets and inherited grief. It is a lyrical and dark fairy tale that explores a world devastated by a climate disaster known as the Flood. Following Malka, a young girl trying to save her brother from a mysterious illness called the Sorrow, the story delves into how suppressed sadness can literally transform us into monsters. It is a profound meditation on the importance of processing pain rather than burying it. While the setting is fantastical and post-apocalyptic, the emotional themes of sibling devotion and the necessity of hope are deeply grounded. It is best suited for mature middle schoolers and teens who appreciate verse novels and stories that don't shy away from complex, bittersweet realities. You might choose this to open a dialogue about environmental fears or the way your family handles difficult memories.
