When Madrigal’s (Maddie) older brother, Strum, goes missing from his college campus, her musical family loses its harmony. Her French mother is distraught — broken for the first time as Maddie has never seen her. Her piano playing father doesn’t even touch his instrument, and her fiery sister retreats into a rebellious funk, drinking and partying, even though she’s only 16. Maddie tries to keep everything together: focus on her oboe lessons and compulsive counting that calms her mind. But when her parents leave to look for Strum and Maddie is left with Aria, things seem hopeless.
48 Middle Grade Books About Mental Illness
48 hopeful middle-grade books about mental illness accurately depicting the struggles of mental health issues — from anxiety (OCD, PTSD), hoarding, schizophrenia, and major depression.
There’s Love and Rivalry in These 36 Best Books About Siblings
This list of books about adoption includes 13 books for kids and adults. For a more extensive list of middle-grade books about adoption and foster care, see this NEW list with 40+ recommendations. Books about siblings are high on my…
Review | When the Truth Unravels
RuthAnne Snow’s debut novel begins on the evening of Jenna, Elin, Ket, and Rosie’s prom. Readers immediately learn that Elin recently tried to kill herself. After some time in a treatment facility, and prescription meds, Elin’s parents want things to return to normal and pretend she never attempted suicide. Her friends keep her secret and plan for the best prom ever to convince Elin to keep living. Things are going well until midway through prom, Elin disappears.