The second of two young adult novels I’ve written back-to-back for North Star Editions is available in January! Walking on Eggshells is a YA novel about mental illness. It features Kai, a culinary arts high school student. He grapples with a new reality after a first episode of psychosis threatens the life he’s known and wants.
I’m happy to see a few first reviews coming in, including a Kirkus Review calling the book a “compassionate, heart-wrenching depiction of teenage mental illness” and this one on NetGalley:
“This is a first-person narrative of 16-year-old Kai who been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The internal monologue is raw, honest and real. Moreover, the dynamics of Kai’s interaction with his friends and the way his diagnosis impacted his culinary passion are both realistic and genuine. I liked the writing style, which flowed smoothly and was engaging as well as age-appropriate. On a final note, I believe tackling mental illness in the context of fiction is tricky and sensitive. ‘Walking on Eggshells’ was able to handle it with such grace and wit. I highly-recommend this book for both teens and adults.”
Walking on Eggshells is accessible for struggling or reluctant readers. I enjoy writing what’s called hi-lo fiction and nonfiction. But I believe this YA novel about mental illness can appeal to a wider range of teen readers. The story provides a mirror for people experiencing psychotic disorders. And it provides a window for people trying to better understand these realities.
I’d love your help with spreading the word about this book. It’s inspired by our family’s lived experiences on this topic. There are so many people, along with their families and friends, coming to terms with a mental health diagnosis and their treatment options. They need both facts, encouragement and understanding.
Check out the details on my book page. This includes how I envision the characters (this is the main character, Kai, to the left).
In January: Book Giveaway!
I’ll be back with details about a paperback giveaway in January.
And I hope you will enjoy this addition to YA literature exploring living with a mental health condition.