Lies We Tell About the Stars

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the complex grief of a missing friend or the destabilizing aftermath of a community crisis. It is particularly resonant for families dealing with the weight of secrets, the feeling of being ghosted, or the need to find agency in the wake of a natural disaster. The story follows Celeste, a high school senior who refuses to believe her best friend died in a catastrophic San Francisco earthquake. As she journeys across a broken California toward a Florida space launch, the book explores themes of loyalty, the ethics of academic pressure, and the desperate hope that fuels resilience. It is a sophisticated coming of age story for ages 13 and up that balances the grounded reality of disaster with a sense of wonder toward the stars.