Description
Description
Astrid is about to start her last year of high school. And her first.
When her dad loses his job, Astrid's homeschooling comes to an end. Until now, she has lived within the confines of a tightly controlled, contracted world where there's no room for anything . . . except following her father's rules and pretending that everything is normal. As Astrid and her mom tentatively expand their world, they struggle to break free of their ingrained wariness and self-doubt. But with hope, new friends, and the strength of a promise, Astrid has a chance to find out what she wants, whom she loves, and who she really is.
Winner of the inaugural Walker Books Manuscript Prize, this is a brilliantly written YA debut that deftly explores timely issues with insight, humor, and pathos.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"An undercurrent of hope powers a fraught plot that probes subjects surrounding domestic coercive control in Crawford's gritty debut. . . . Immediate-feeling first-person narration from Astrid perceptively details her profound feelings of alienation from her peers and tightly wound wariness at home, especially as the climax ramps up with thriller-like intensity."--Publishers Weekly
-- (2/2/2026 12:00:00 AM)"This powerful work focuses on reclaiming a life that has never felt owned, finding inner strength, and leaning on those who care. . . . Teens familiar with confining home structures will see Astrid's hopeful tale as a reminder that it's possible to get out."--starred, Booklist
-- (3/1/2026 12:00:00 AM)
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
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