Speak of Me as I Am

Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling to articulate the complex, messy reality of grief or feeling isolated by a significant loss. This story provides a safe space for adolescents to explore the duality of mourning, where life somehow continues even when it feels like it should stop. It is particularly helpful for those who find traditional therapy or talking difficult but connect deeply with the arts. The narrative follows Melanie, who is reeling from her mother's death, and Damon, who is mourning his best friend. As they work together on a school production of Othello, they find that Shakespeare's words give them a vocabulary for their own pain. The book deals with heavy themes including depression and suicide in a realistic, secular manner, making it most appropriate for high school students. Parents will appreciate how it validates that there is no 'right' way to grieve and that finding a creative outlet can be a vital step toward healing.