My Life as a Rhombus

In Varian Johnson's "My Life as a Rhombus," high school junior Rhonda is forced to revisit a deeply personal and painful past when she begins tutoring a classmate who reveals she is pregnant. Three years earlier, Rhonda underwent an abortion at her father's insistence, an experience that has profoundly shaped her life. The narrative follows Rhonda as she processes her own grief and identity in light of her classmate's situation, exploring themes of family expectations, self-actualization, and empathy. This book is suitable for ages 12-18 and offers a sensitive, realistic portrayal of complex emotional and social issues, making it an excellent choice for opening conversations about reproductive health, personal autonomy, and the long-term impact of life-altering decisions.

When the classmate she is tutoring in trigonometry admits she is pregnant, high school junior Rhonda must finally come to terms with the abortion her father insisted she undergo three years earlier and examine how it has changed her life.