Lucky Few

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with an existential crisis, feeling like an outsider, or processing the heavy reality of mortality in a world that often feels superficial. It is an ideal choice for the teen who uses dark humor or eccentricity as a shield. The story follows home-schooled Stevie, her best friend Sanger, and their new neighbor Max, who deals with his fears by faking his own death in various creative ways. Kathryn Ormsbee tackles heavy themes of grief, chronic illness, and the search for belonging with a quirky, secular, and deeply empathetic lens. While the premise of faking deaths sounds macabre, it serves as a vehicle for the characters to discuss what it means to actually live. Parents will appreciate the book's commitment to authentic adolescent friendship and its honest portrayal of how teenagers navigate complex family dynamics and health scares without losing their sense of wonder.