
A teen's secret about her mother's mental illness threatens to unravel her world.
In the 1960s, fifteen-year-old Laura juggles school, friendships, and a budding romance while hiding a painful secret: her mother's mental illness. As her mother's behavior becomes more erratic, Laura's refuge in art crumbles, leaving her desperate for answers. Will Laura find the courage to confront her family's silence and uncover the truth? This novel-in-verse explores the delicate balance between fear and hope in a young girl's life.
A compelling novel in verse about mental illness Laura is a typical fifteen-year-old growing up in the 1960s, navigating her way through classes, friendships, and even a new romance. But she’s carrying around a secret: her mother is suffering from a mental illness. No one in Laura’s family will talk about her mother’s past hospitalizations or increasingly erratic behavior, and Laura is confused and frightened. Laura finds some refuge in art, but when her mother suffers a breakdown after taking painting back up again herself, even art ceases to provide much comfort. Eloquent and compelling, this powerful novel-in-verse tackles complex themes in a way that will have readers rooting for Laura to find the courage to get the answers she needs.
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