Silhouette of teen boy looking at a sunset with a quote from the Walking on Eggshells YA book about mental illness that reads: My mind is quiet for once. The invisible load feels a little lighter. I try not to think about it in case that makes the noise come back. Guess I'm the one walking on eggshells now."

“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.” – Posted on NetGalley

Coming January 2025

Walking on Eggshells

A YA Book about Mental Illness, Pursuing Your Dreams and Finding a Path Forward

 

After a first episode of psychosis lands him a stay in a psychiatric hospital, all sixteen-year-old Kai Lum wants to do is reclaim his life. But now that he’s back home, everything is different. He has medications to take, his dad is always hovering, and everyone at school keeps staring at him.

Kai’s determined not to let any of that distract him from proving he can make it as a chef, though. He has his culinary arts program to focus on, and he won’t let his diagnosis change his plans. But finding his new normal is harder than Kai expects. His medications have side effects that he doesn’t know how to control. His dad pushes him to accept more clinical help, even though Kai’s not sure he wants—or needs—it. And Kai’s best friends are ghosting him. On top of all of that, Kai isn’t sure if the voices he’s hearing are real or in his head.

Kai’s life begins to spin out of control as he struggles to know who he can trust. With his health and dreams on the line, he has to decide whether he’s willing to accept help in order to manage his newly diagnosed mental illness.

Jolly Fish Press. ISBN 9781631639135

Teens

Fast-paced teen fiction. Written at a 2nd- to 3rd-grade reading level with an interest level of ages 14 and up.

 

How I Picture My Characters

Mental Illness Resources

Experiencing psychosis and mental illness can be very scary, confusing and isolating. You are not alone, whether you are the one with these symptoms, or friend or family member. My book page for What Are Psychotic Disorders? has links to many resources you might find helpful. And send me a note if you have another resource to recommend.

More Coming!

I’ll post more stuff about the book in the coming weeks and host a book giveaway in January! 

BADGE-graduate-Jennifer-Phillips
Member of SCBWI - 10+ Years!
 
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Member - 10+ Years!

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