17 & Gone

A parent should reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with an intense, obsessive interest in others' problems to avoid their own, or when they are showing signs of a mental health crisis involving a loss of touch with reality. The story follows Lauren, a girl who becomes consumed by the mystery of missing seventeen-year-old girls, eventually seeing their ghosts and losing her grip on what is real. It is a haunting exploration of anxiety, identity, and the heavy weight of empathy. This novel is best suited for older teens due to its sophisticated, atmospheric writing and its unflinching look at psychological distress. While it is framed as a mystery, it is truly a character study about a young woman trying to find herself while being haunted by the people she cannot save. Parents might choose this to open a dialogue about the importance of professional mental health support and the dangers of internalizing the trauma of others.