Crazy

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the messy intersection of a first serious romance and the frightening emergence of mental health struggles. It is a vital resource for families witnessing a child struggle with erratic moods, or for those who want to foster empathy for peers living with bipolar disorder. The story follows Connor and Izzy, two artistic teens whose intense connection is tested when Izzy's behavior becomes increasingly unpredictable and dangerous. While the romance is central, the book serves as a realistic mirror for the toll mental illness takes on both the individual and their support system. It is best suited for older teens (14+) due to its raw exploration of mania, depression, and the complex reality that love cannot always fix a chemical imbalance. Parents might choose this to normalize difficult conversations about therapy, medication, and the necessity of boundaries in healthy relationships.