The Wrap-up List

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is beginning to grapple with the existential weight of mortality or is feeling paralyzed by the pressure of the future. It serves as a gentle, speculative entry point for discussing the value of a single life and the legacy we leave behind. The story follows sixteen-year-old Gabriela, who lives in a world where some people are randomly selected for Departure by a supernatural entity. Given one week to live, she must complete her Wrap-up List: a series of final tasks to find closure. The narrative focuses on bravery and resilience rather than grim despair. It is emotionally sophisticated but remains appropriate for the 12 to 17 age range, providing a safe metaphorical space to explore fear, grief, and the importance of living with intention. Parents will appreciate how it frames the end of life not as a defeat, but as an opportunity for profound connection and personal agency.