
A parent might reach for this book when their child is grappling with overwhelming guilt or self-blame after an accident or mistake. The story follows Nora, who convinces her cousin Riley to ride a roller coaster just as a storm hits. A freak accident leaves Riley in a coma, and Nora is consumed by guilt. The book navigates Nora's emotional turmoil and the family's difficult journey as Riley awakens with significant disabilities. It powerfully explores themes of responsibility, forgiveness, and how love adapts in the face of life-altering change. For ages 10 to 14, it is an honest and moving portrayal of the long road to healing, both physically and emotionally.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals directly and realistically with a traumatic accident and the resulting disabilities (traumatic brain injury). The approach is secular, focusing on the medical realities, family stress, and emotional toll. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, not magical. It makes clear that recovery is a long, arduous process and that Riley will never be the same person she was, but the family finds a new way forward with love and resilience.
An 11 to 14-year-old who is processing feelings of guilt over a past action, big or small. This is also a perfect book for a child who has a friend or family member who has experienced a severe illness or accident and is struggling to understand the changes and how to offer support.
Parents should be aware that the accident scene and the initial hospital scenes are tense and medically detailed (coma, ventilator, uncertainty). The realistic depiction of family stress, including arguments between the adults, may also be challenging for some readers. Previewing the first few chapters that cover the accident would be wise. Otherwise, the book can be read cold. A parent has heard their child say, "It's all my fault," or has noticed them withdrawing and punishing themselves for a mistake or accident. The child seems unable to let go of their role in a negative event.
A younger reader (10-11) will connect strongly with Nora's overwhelming guilt and the core story of the accident and friendship. An older reader (12-14) will better appreciate the nuances of the family dynamics, the financial and emotional strain of long-term medical care, and the complex, bittersweet nature of recovery and forgiveness.
This book's unique strength is its focus on the sibling/cousin's perspective, particularly the element of guilt. While many books explore disability from the protagonist's point of view, Cyclone masterfully unpacks the complex emotions of a loved one who feels responsible. It offers an unflinchingly honest look at the messy, frustrating, and non-linear reality of recovering from a traumatic brain injury.
Nora, a confident middle schooler, pressures her more timid cousin, Riley, to ride the Cyclone roller coaster. During the ride, a sudden storm causes a power outage and a piece of the ride strikes Riley, leaving her with a traumatic brain injury and in a coma. The novel follows Nora as she is consumed by guilt, feeling solely responsible for the tragedy. The narrative focuses on the family's tense and emotional wait at the hospital and the challenging, non-linear process of Riley's recovery after she awakens with significant physical and cognitive disabilities. Nora must learn to navigate her guilt while also learning how to be the cousin and friend Riley needs now.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.