Description

Named one of the Best Books of 2024 by Kirkus!

From award-winning author Sara Zarr comes a gorgeously crafted and deeply personal story about a young girl, her alcoholic mother, and the hope that ties them together.

Krya has always felt like she’s a bit too much. Too tall. Too loud. Too earnest. But she’s okay with that, because she’s got her mom. Ever since Mom got sober about five years ago, she and Kyra have always been there for each other—something Kyra is thankful for every week when she attends her group meetings with other kids of alcoholics. When Mom is managing her cleaning business and Kyra is taking care of things at home, maybe, she thinks, she’s not too much. Maybe, she’s just enough.

Then seventh grade starts, and everything Kyra used to be able to count on feels unsure. Kyra’s best friend, Lu, is hanging out with eighth graders, and Mom is unusually distant. When Mom starts missing work, sleeping in, and forgetting things, Kyra doesn’t dare say “relapse." But soon not saying that word means not saying anything at all—to Lu or to her support group. And when Kyra suspects that her worst fears might be real, she starts to question whether being just enough is not enough at all.

With sensitivity and candor, acclaimed author Sara Zarr tells a heartfelt, personal story about finding hope in even the most difficult places, and love in even the most complicated relationships.

Living With an Alcoholic Parent: For five years, Kyra’s mom has been sober, and their bond is everything. But when she starts noticing the old signs, Kyra must navigate the overwhelming fear of a relapse all on her own. A Realistic Coming of Age Story: Best friend Lu is drifting away toward the eighth graders, leaving Kyra to wonder if feeling like she’s “too much” is driving everyone away. This story perfectly captures the anxieties of middle school. Finding Hope and Resilience: Kyra relies on her weekly support group for kids of alcoholics, but keeping her mom’s secret forces her to find a new level of inner strength. For Readers of Honest Middle Grade: Fans of books that tackle tough topics with sensitivity and hope will be captivated by Sara Zarr’s heartfelt portrayal of family addiction.