About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the complex social fallout of a friend's serious illness or facing intense peer pressure to conform. Set in the early years of the AIDS crisis, it tells the story of Karen, a seventeen-year-old who chooses to reconnect with her former friend Connie after Connie is diagnosed with the virus. The story explores the profound isolation that comes with a stigmatized illness and the immense courage required to stand by someone when friends, family, and classmates are pushing you to walk away. It is a deeply moving look at loyalty and the moral weight of our choices during adolescence. Parents will find it an excellent bridge for discussing empathy, the history of public health, and the importance of integrity over popularity. It is best suited for readers aged 12 and up due to its realistic portrayal of illness and social exclusion.
