When guilt over an accident overwhelms, this story explores finding forgiveness, facing responsibility, and supporting a loved one through challenging disabilities.
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.
The 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.
Ideal Reader
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.
Parent Prep
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.
Age Experience
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.
What Makes It Special
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.
Read plot summary
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.
Discussion Prompts
1
Nora feels 100% responsible for Riley's accident. Do you think she is? What other factors were involved? What does the story teach us about blame and accidents?
2
After Riley wakes up, she is a different person. How does Nora have to change the way she loves and supports her cousin? Why was it so hard for her to let go of the 'old' Riley?
3
Nora keeps her guilt a secret for a long time. How did keeping that secret affect her and her relationships with her family? Do you think things would have been different if she had talked about it sooner?
4
The book ends on a hopeful note, but it's clear that Riley's recovery will be a long journey. Why do you think the author chose not to have a 'happily ever after' ending where Riley is completely healed?
5
Describe the relationship between Nora's mom and Riley's mom (Aunt Karen). How does their sisterly bond change and get tested by the tragedy?
