Black-eyed Suzie

A parent would reach for this book when they recognize that their teenager is struggling with the invisible weight of emotional neglect or is having difficulty finding the words to describe a painful family dynamic. It is a vital resource for starting conversations about mental health, boundaries, and the courage it takes to speak up when home no longer feels safe. Twelve-year-old Suzie has spent her life trying to stay small and silent to appease her volatile, emotionally abusive mother. When she is eventually hospitalized for catatonia, she must navigate the slow, difficult journey of therapy to reclaim her voice and her identity. This realistic novel is appropriate for older middle grade and high school readers, offering a secular and deeply empathetic look at the resilience required to heal from trauma. Parents will appreciate its honest portrayal of the recovery process and the hope it provides for children finding their way out of the shadows.