Where I Want to Be

Reach for this book when your teenager is processing the complicated grief of losing a sibling, especially when that relationship was strained by mental health challenges or a sense of 'caregiver burnout.' This story explores the bond between two sisters, Jane and Lily. Jane struggled with a mental illness that blurred the lines between reality and her make-believe world, often leaving Lily to play the role of the mature protector. Now that Jane is gone, Lily must navigate the heavy guilt of moving forward while Jane remains 'stuck' in her own spectral reality. It is a poignant choice for families needing to validate the messy, often contradictory feelings of relief and profound loss that come with a family member's long-term illness. While the narrative includes a haunting, supernatural element, its heart is firmly rooted in the realistic emotional labor of sisterhood and the difficult process of letting go. Suitable for mature middle schoolers and high school students, it provides a safe space to discuss the impact of mental health on the entire family unit.