We Run the Tides

A parent should reach for this book when their teenager is experiencing the confusing and often painful dissolution of a long-term friendship. It specifically addresses the moment when a teen realizes that a close friend may be manipulative or untruthful, causing a rift in their social circle and a crisis of identity. Set in pre-tech-boom San Francisco, the story follows Eulabee and Maria Fabiola, whose friendship fractures after they disagree on the details of a strange roadside encounter. The book explores heavy themes of gaslighting, social exclusion, and the murky line between reality and performance. It is best suited for older teens (14+) due to its sophisticated look at adolescent cruelty and the complex social dynamics of private school life. Parents might choose this to help a child process the feeling of being the only one telling the truth in a world that prefers a more exciting lie.