Optimists Die First

Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with intrusive thoughts or a paralyzing fear of the future following a family tragedy. Petula de Wilde is convinced that if she stays hyper vigilant, she can prevent the next catastrophe from happening. This beautiful, darkly funny story explores how the weight of survivor guilt can manifest as obsessive-compulsive tendencies and social isolation. Through an unconventional art therapy group and a budding romance with a boy who has his own hidden scars, Petula learns that living safely is not the same as being alive. It is a realistic, secular, and deeply empathetic look at adolescent mental health and the messy process of forgiveness. Parents will appreciate how it balances heavy themes with genuine wit, making the path to healing feel accessible rather than clinical.