Ready to Fall

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to process a deep loss and seems to be retreating into a world of their own making. It is a powerful resource for families dealing with the physical and psychological toll of grief, particularly when a child feels like their sadness is a heavy, tangible presence that separates them from their peers. The story follows Max, a boy who believes a piece of his late mother has literally grown into his body as a physical tumor, reflecting the way trauma can distort a young person's sense of self. This novel is a sophisticated exploration of mental health and the healing power of creative expression. While it deals with heavy themes of death and anxiety, it is ultimately a story about finding a community that accepts your broken pieces. It is most appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high school students who are ready to engage with a realistic, secular, and deeply empathetic portrayal of the grieving process. Parents will appreciate how it validates the strangeness of loss while providing a path back toward connection.