Tell Us Something True

Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with the fallout of a first major heartbreak or is caught in a web of social white lies to fit in. It speaks to the hollow feeling of losing one's identity after a relationship ends and the desperate, often misguided ways young people try to reinvent themselves to find a sense of belonging. The story follows seventeen year old River, who, after being dumped, accidentally finds himself in a support group for grieving teens. Instead of leaving, he creates a fake persona to stay close to his new friends. It is a poignant exploration of honesty, the weight of secrets, and the messy process of self-forgiveness. Parents will appreciate the realistic, secular approach to mental health and the way it validates the intensity of teenage emotions without being condescending. It is a great choice for encouraging a dialogue about integrity and why we sometimes hide our true selves.