You'd Be Home Now

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to maintain their own identity while living in the shadow of a sibling's crisis or addiction. It is a deeply empathetic look at the fallout of a fatal car accident that exposes a brother's secret opioid habit and leaves his younger sister, Emmy, tasked with being his 'keeper.' The story explores themes of crushing family expectations, the invisibility of the 'good child,' and the complex layers of grief and shame within a community. Due to its honest depiction of drug use, overdose, and the realities of recovery, it is best suited for mature readers aged 14 and up. Parents might choose this to validate a teen who feels overlooked or to open a compassionate dialogue about the ripple effects of the opioid epidemic.