• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 12 to 18

★“An emotionally layered book with accurate insight into mental illness, ideal for reluctant readers.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Seventeen-year-old Penny is struggling to balance caring for Jude, her sister with mental health challenges, working part-time to help her mother with money issues and facing her final year of high school. She does not need any distractions. But then she meets Jack. The two of them click immediately. But as quickly as things heat up, they then cool down, and Penny isn’t sure why. Does she have room for her feelings for Jack alongside her worries that her sister is crashing into suicidal depression again?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Star Spider's stories and poetry often explore mental health and LGBTQ themes. Her debut novel, Past Tense (HarperCollins), was published in 2018. She lives in Toronto.

Star Spider's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

★ “An emotionally layered book with accurate insight into mental illness, ideal for reluctant readers.”

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“These engaging, fast-paced books...depict difficult topics with sensitivity.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)

“Realistic and well-developed...Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials