Catalyst

Catalyst follows Kate Malone, a high-achieving high school senior who meticulously organizes her life to avoid emotional chaos. Her world begins to fracture when her neighbors, including her nemesis Teri Litch, move in after a house fire, and she anxiously awaits her MIT decision. The narrative culminates in a profound tragedy that forces Kate to confront deep grief, re-evaluate her identity, and navigate complex relationships. This powerful young adult novel explores themes of loss, resilience, family dynamics, and the messy reality of emotions, making it ideal for mature teens grappling with significant life changes and the search for self.

Meet Kate Malone—straight-A science and math geek, minister's daughter, ace long-distance runner, new girlfriend (to Mitchell "Early Decision Harvard" Pangborn III), unwilling family caretaker, and emotional avoidance champion. Kate manages her life by organizing it as logically as the periodic table. She can handle it all—or so she thinks. Then, things change as suddenly as a string of chemical reactions; first, the Malones' neighbors get burned out of their own home and move in. Kate has to share her room with her nemesis, Teri Litch, and Teri's little brother. The days are ticking down and she's still waiting to hear from the only college she applied to: MIT. Kate feels that her life is spinning out of her control—and then, something happens that truly blows it all apart. Set in the same community as the remarkable Speak, Catalyst is a novel that will change the way you look at the world.