Julie Anne Peters (1952–2023)

I just finished and closed this book.

Typically I would wait to do my review on a book like this. I would sit with it for a few days, but I read this book for a challenge so I'm going to go ahead and write it up. I may change it again later.

I struggle with books like these. I'm glad that they are out there - books that deal with REAL issues that kids are having. Not bad hair days, but bad YEARS. days and days and days where they drag on and...when a person reaches a point where they don't feel they can go on.

I also don't think these books that deal with real issues - like suicide - should be for adults only. I think it's a very real, very serious issue in our teens, our youth - that dying by their own hand is very much a reality and a choice they choose!

But...(you knew that was coming, right?) I know I have my own bias. It's hard for me to read these books and not pull my own stuff in to it.

As a mom, I want to scream and yell, scold and...hug and cry and hold her hands and...just crumble because it just breaks my heart that this is an option. That kids die every day by their own hand.

As a survivor of all different types of abuse - it always surprises me just how differently we can all handle it. Did I handle it right? Is she handling it wrong? Is it MY place to judge her? Is it her place to judge me?

I just...I'm a mom of two girls and a survivor. It's hard not to get angry about a book about suicide - it's hard not to get angry at SUICIDE. It's just hard not to scream and yell and pull this book apart.… (more)