Uncontrollable

A parent should reach for this book when their teenager is buckling under the pressure of being the best or when academic competition has turned a once-joyful child into an anxious, irritable stranger. The story follows a high-achieving student whose sense of self is tied entirely to her grades and extracurricular success. When things begin to spiral out of her control, she must confront the toxic nature of perfectionism and the weight of parental and societal expectations. It is a raw, honest look at the mental health struggles inherent in high-pressure school environments. Parents will find it a powerful tool for opening a dialogue about success, failure, and the importance of finding one's identity outside of a transcript or a leaderboard. It is best suited for ages 13 and up due to its mature exploration of anxiety and academic burnout.