Peeling the Onion

Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with a significant life change, physical injury, or the loss of a former hobby or identity that once defined them. It is a powerful resource for young people who feel betrayed by their own bodies or who are navigating the invisible, messy process of long term recovery and rehabilitation. Wendy Orr provides a raw, honest look at Anna, a champion karate student whose life is upended by a car accident that leaves her with a broken neck and a permanent disability. The story moves beyond the initial shock of the trauma to explore the complex layers of grief, anger, and the slow, often painful 'peeling away' of the person Anna used to be to find out who she is now. It is appropriate for middle and high schoolers who can handle realistic depictions of hospital settings and emotional volatility. Parents will find this book particularly helpful for normalizing the fact that healing isn't a linear path, and that it is okay for a child to feel angry about their new reality.