Tornado Brain

Frankie is a neurodivergent seventh grader (autism and ADHD) who feels every texture, hears every hum, and struggles with social cues. When her former best friend Colette disappears from their small coastal town, Frankie uses her unique way of processing information to investigate. The story follows her as she navigates a strained relationship with her twin sister, Tess, and the guilt of a final, angry conversation with Colette. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with the presumed and eventually confirmed death of a peer. It is handled with secular realism. The resolution is bittersweet and realistic, focusing on the processing of grief rather than a miraculous happy ending. EMOTIONAL ARC: The narrative starts with high tension and social anxiety, building through the mystery into a heavy middle section of loss. It concludes on a hopeful, empowering note of self-acceptance. IDEAL READER: A 12-year-old who feels 'too much,' whether that is sensory input or social rejection, and needs to see a protagonist who turns their perceived weaknesses into investigative strengths. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child being excluded from a group or having a sensory meltdown and realize the child needs a mirror for their experience. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that the book deals with the death of a child. It is best to read alongside or discuss the final chapters where the resolution of the mystery occurs. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (10) will focus on the 'detective' aspect and the weather-based metaphors, while older readers (13-14) will more deeply resonate with the nuance of the changing social hierarchy and the internal neurodivergent experience. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many books about neurodiversity that focus on 'fixing' the child, this story validates Frankie's perspective as a valid, albeit intense, way of being.