It Looks Like This

A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling with the stigma or isolation of a family member's severe mental illness. 'It Looks Like This' follows high schooler Mike, who moves to a new town with his mom to be closer to the hospital where his father is being treated for schizophrenia. While navigating a new school and a tender first romance with a boy named Sean, Mike must confront the secrecy and shame he feels about his family's reality. This book is best for older teens (15+) as it handles themes of mental illness, identity, and first love with a raw honesty. It's a powerful tool for fostering empathy and starting conversations about complex family dynamics and the courage it takes to accept difficult truths.