Diva

Caitlin McCourt, having recently ended a relationship with an abusive boyfriend, enrolls in a prestigious Miami performing arts high school to pursue her dream of becoming an opera singer. The narrative follows her as she balances rigorous vocal training, a strained relationship with her pragmatic mother, and the tentative steps of making new friends and entering a new romance. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book addresses emotional and physical abuse in a previous relationship through a secular, realistic lens. The focus is on the psychological recovery and the lingering hyper-vigilance Caitlin experiences. The resolution is hopeful and empowering, emphasizing personal agency. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins in a place of guardedness and vulnerability. It builds through the tension of high-stakes performance and social anxiety, ultimately ending on a high note of self-actualization and restored confidence. IDEAL READER: A high schooler who feels they have lost their sense of self to please others, or an aspiring artist who feels their passion is misunderstood by their family. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might witness their child becoming withdrawn after a breakup or expressing intense anxiety about being 'good enough' for their chosen path. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that the book contains references to past domestic violence, though it is not depicted on-page in the present timeline. Reading it cold is fine for most teens, but a conversation about healthy relationship boundaries could be a good follow-up. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens will focus on the 'new school' jitters and the excitement of the arts setting. Older teens will more deeply resonate with the nuance of the mother-daughter conflict and the trauma recovery aspects. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many 'theatre school' books that focus purely on the competition, Diva prioritizes the internal psychological work of recovering from abuse while using opera as a powerful metaphor for finding one's literal and figurative voice.