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."

“A compassionate, heart-wrenching depiction of teenage mental illness.” – Kirkus Reviews

 

“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.

 

Find This Book

North Star Editions
GOOGLE BOOKS
AMAZON
INDIEBOUND
BARNES & NOBLE
WorldCat (search libraries)

How I Picture My Characters

Illustration of Kai, the main character, who is a slightly built Asian teen boy wearing a t-shirt and jeans standing in a kitchen

Kai, the Main Character

Illustration of Gavin, Kai's friend, who is a teen Caucasian boy with dark hair and glasses hiking in the mountains

Gavin, Kai’s Friend

Illustration of Ian, Kai's friend, who is a teenage boy of Hispanic heritage with dark hair pulled up in a ponytail working at a computer

Ian, Kai’s Friend

Illustration of Josie, Kai's friend, who is a Caucasian teenage girl with long blonde hair in a ponytail wearing a hoodie and jeans

Josie, Kai’s Friend

Illustration of Felix, Kai's father, an Asian man age 50s with a medium build in fruit packing plant.

Felix, Kai’s Dad

Illustration of Serena, Kai's aunt, who is an Asian woman with shoulder-length hair smiling and sitting at a dining table

Serena, Kai’s Aunt

Illustration of Lonny, Kai's uncle, who is an Asian man with a larger build in his 60s wearing a sweater and slacks

Lonny, Kai’s Uncle

Illustration of Mrs. Rosembert, Kai's culinary arts teacher, who is a Haitian woman in her 40s

Mrs. Rosembert, the Culinary Arts Teacher

Illustration of Krissie, the school nurse, who is Caucasian and in her 30s with long hair in a ponytail

Krissie, the School Nurse

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!

Arrange a Visit​​

I am available for visits & presentations.
Learn more here or download my flyer for topics, rates and other details.