When You Were Here

When You Were Here is a poignant young adult novel that explores the complex journey of grief through the eyes of Danny, a high school senior whose mother dies from cancer just weeks before his graduation. Driven by a desire to understand the woman she was beyond being his mother, Danny embarks on a trip to Tokyo, a city she loved and visited for treatments. There, with the support of friends, he confronts his sorrow, uncovers hidden aspects of his mother's life, and begins to forge his own path forward. The book sensitively handles themes of loss, identity, and the enduring power of love and friendship, though parents should note it includes profanity and sexual situations appropriate for its YA audience.