Long Night of Leo and Bree, The

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with intense resentment, the feeling of being misunderstood by family, or the heavy burden of secondary trauma. It is a stark, realistic look at Leo, a boy pushed to his breaking point by a mother who blames him for his sister's death, and Bree, the girl he kidnaps in a desperate attempt to reclaim control. While the premise is high-stakes, the heart of the story is an intimate psychological dialogue between two teenagers who find common ground in their loneliness. It is appropriate for mature teens aged 14 and up who are ready to explore themes of grief, mental illness, and the complex path toward self-forgiveness. Parents will find it a valuable tool for discussing how trauma can distort our perceptions and how empathy can be found in the most unlikely circumstances.