Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the isolation of a mental health diagnosis or the heavy, lingering fog of grief. It is a lifeline for parents who see their child retreating into themselves after a loss or battling the invisible, exhausting cycles of intrusive thoughts and compulsions. The story follows Sage, who is reeling from the sudden death of her father, and Len, who is secretly drowning in the rituals of undiagnosed O.C.D. as she tries to maintain her status as a star athlete. This is a raw and deeply empathetic look at how friendship can act as a bridge back to the world when we feel most broken. Through the bond between these two girls, the book validates that it is okay to not be okay, while providing a realistic roadmap for seeking help and finding community. It is a powerful choice for families navigating neurodivergence or bereavement, offering hope without easy fixes or clichés.
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Sign in to write a reviewRealistic high school dialogue including some profanity.
Typical high school social scenarios involving alcohol.
The death of a parent is the primary catalyst for one protagonist's arc.
The book deals with death and mental illness (O.C.D.) in a very direct, secular, and clinical manner. The O.C.D. is portrayed through visceral descriptions of intrusive thoughts and compulsions. The resolution is realistic and hopeful: it does not 'cure' the characters but shows them gaining the tools to manage their lives.
A high schooler who feels like an outsider due to a mental health condition or a significant loss, especially someone who feels pressure to 'perform' (like an athlete or artist) while hurting inside.
Parents should be prepared for intense descriptions of O.C.D. 'loops' and intrusive thoughts that might be triggering or eye-opening. There is some moderate profanity and teenage partying that should be contextualized as part of a realistic high school experience. A parent might reach for this after seeing their teen stop eating, withdraw from hobbies, or exhibit repetitive 'quirks' that seem to be causing the child distress or panic.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the friendship and the drama of the track team. Older teens (17-18) will likely connect more deeply with the nuance of the mental health journey and the fear of the future.
Unlike many YA novels that use mental illness as a plot device, this book offers an incredibly accurate, non-sensationalized look at O.C.D. while emphasizing that friendship is a support system, not a replacement for professional therapy.
The story alternates between Sage, an aspiring photographer dealing with the sudden death of her father, and Len, a star cross-country runner who is secretly struggling with worsening O.C.D. symptoms that interfere with her performance and social life. Their lives intersect when Sage takes photos for the track team, leading to an intense, supportive friendship. Both girls must learn to confront their internal demons, Sage by processing her grief and Len by finally seeking professional help for her mental health.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.