Summerwork

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is grappling with the silent weight of family secrets or trying to understand how past traumas shape their current identity. It is a deeply atmospheric story about Leo and Connor, two seventeen year olds who meet while working at a decaying gothic mansion in rural Minnesota. As they navigate their own histories of loss and abandonment, they discover human remains on the property, sparking a mystery that helps them process their own internal wreckage. The book deals with heavy themes of grief, parental absence, and the search for belonging in a realistic and emotionally resonant way. It is best suited for mature teens (ages 14 and up) who appreciate character driven stories that do not shy away from the complexities of growing up in the shadow of family tragedy. Parents might choose this to open a dialogue about resilience and the importance of forming healthy, supportive bonds outside of a fractured family unit.