For teens grappling with hidden mental health battles and the fear of being seen for who they truly are, this book explores finding love and acceptance amid inner struggles.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or the intense pressure to appear 'perfect' while hiding their inner turmoil. "All Our Broken Pieces" uses a touch of magical realism to tell the story of Lennon, a girl with OCD who literally sees mental health struggles as monsters clinging to people. She is terrified of anyone discovering her own monster, until she meets Kyler, a boy with a monster of his own. Their story is a tender romance that explores the courage it takes to be vulnerable and the healing power of acceptance. For older teens, this book provides a unique and tangible way to understand complex internal battles, making it a powerful conversation starter about mental health, stigma, and self-love.
Kissing and romantic intimacy typical for the YA genre. Not sexually explicit.
LanguageMild
Some instances of mild swearing.
ViolenceMild
A secondary character has a history of family abuse; this is discussed but not shown on the page.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and explicitly with mental illness. The focus is on OCD, with detailed and realistic depictions of intrusive thoughts and compulsions. It also addresses anxiety and past trauma. The approach is secular and psychological. While the monsters are a metaphor, the experiences are grounded in reality. The resolution is hopeful, emphasizing that recovery is a nonlinear process and that acceptance from others and oneself is key, but it does not offer a simplistic cure.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 15-18, who feels defined by their anxiety, OCD, or another 'invisible' illness. This reader feels like a burden and believes that their full self is unlovable. They need a story that validates their struggle while showing that their 'broken pieces' do not preclude them from finding love, connection, and acceptance.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for candid discussions about mental illness, particularly OCD. The descriptions of Lennon's intrusive thoughts and compulsions are vivid and may be upsetting. Reading about her experiences can provide valuable insight. The book can be read cold, but framing it with a conversation about how mental health is not a character flaw would be beneficial. A parent notices their teen is trying to hide things: repetitive behaviors, signs of extreme anxiety, or social withdrawal. They might hear their teen say things like, "You wouldn't understand," "No one could love me if they really knew," or express a desperate need for things to be 'perfect'.
Age Experience
A younger reader (14-15) may be drawn in by the high-concept magical realism (the monsters) and the tender romance. An older reader (16-18) is more likely to appreciate the nuanced and accurate portrayal of OCD, the complexities of vulnerability in a relationship, and the overarching theme of radical self-acceptance.
What Makes It Special
The use of magical realism to personify mental illness is the book's unique strength. By making abstract struggles like OCD into tangible, visible monsters, it provides a powerful and accessible vocabulary for teens to understand and discuss these complex conditions, stripping away some of the clinical jargon and focusing on the lived emotional experience.
Read plot summary
Seventeen-year-old Lennon has OCD and the ability to see people's mental illnesses as physical monsters. She is consumed with hiding her own monster, which feeds on her compulsions. When she meets Kyler, a new student who is grappling with his own trauma, she finds a kindred spirit. Their romance blossoms, but Lennon lives in constant fear that revealing the true nature of her own powerful monster will destroy their connection and prove she is unlovable. The story follows their journey to trust one another with their most broken pieces.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Lennon perceives mental illnesses as literal monsters. If you were to visualize an emotion like anxiety or a struggle like perfectionism, what kind of creature would it be? How does this metaphor change how you think about internal struggles?
2
Lennon goes to great lengths to hide her monster, believing it makes her unlovable. Why was she so afraid for Kyler to see it? Discuss a time you felt you had to hide a part of yourself to be accepted.
3
Kyler tells Lennon, 'We’re all a little broken. That’s how the light gets in.' What do you think he means by this? Find a moment in the story where a character's 'broken piece' actually led to a moment of connection or understanding.
4
Lennon's relationship with her mother is strained because her mom doesn't understand her OCD. How does their dynamic evolve by the end of the book? Do you feel it's a realistic portrayal of how families can struggle with mental health?
