Each Night Was Illuminated

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is grappling with the heavy, lingering aftermath of a community tragedy or navigating the quiet intersection of faith and grief. It is a lyrical and deeply introspective story about Elias and Cassidy, two former childhood friends who find their way back to one another after a bridge collapse shatters their small town. As they search for meaning through local legends and shared silence, the book explores how people process loss differently: through religion, through mystery, or through one another. This novel is ideal for older teens who appreciate atmospheric, slow-burn narratives that prioritize internal growth over fast-paced action. It addresses complex emotional themes like the search for God, the weight of survival, and the delicate transition from childhood innocence to adult reality. Parents might choose this title to validate a teen's feelings of loneliness or to provide a safe space to discuss the bigger questions of why bad things happen and how one finds the light to move forward.