In this bittersweet contemporary novel, a broken-hearted teenager has to learn how to move forward after a life-shattering event.
“Genuine and satisfying. An earnest debut about coping with loss and trauma.”—Booklist
“Heartwarming.”—School Library Journal, starred review
It’s hard to keep close a person everyone keeps telling you is gone.
Sixty-five days after the death of her older sister, Juniper Lemon discovers the break-up letter addressed to “You” Camilla wrote the day she died. Juniper is shocked—she knew nothing of her sister’s relationship, and now the hole Camilla left in her life feels that much bigger. She’s determined to uncover You’s identity and deliver Camie’s letter. Maybe, just maybe, that would help fill the sister-shaped void Camilla left behind.
But what Juniper doesn’t expect is that the search for You will lead to learning other people’s secrets: private crushes, shames, fears—or that these secrets will connect her to classmates she never thought to reach out to before. Classmates like the destructive but strangely magnetic Brand Sayers.
The biggest surprise? Wading through everyone else’s problems may be just what Juni needs to make peace with her own.
On sale: May 30, 2017
Age: 12 and up
Grade: Grade 7 & Up
Page count: 352 Pages
ISBN: 9780735228191
Julie Israel lives in Portland, Oregon, and holds a BA in creative writing. After a stint teaching English in Japan, she returned to her native state to write fiction full-time. When not writing, she is likely reading, making art, or learning one of too many languages to keep straight.
Juniper Lemon's Happiness Index is her debut novel.
“Heartwarming . . . A well-told story of teen struggles and grief that will resonate with readers.”
—School Library Journal, starred review“Israel handles the long, painful process of negotiating grief gently and realistically while cleverly interweaving the light mystery of 'you's' identity throughout, keeping readers guessing as Juni steps closer to finding closure.”
—Publishers Weekly“Genuine and satisfying. An earnest debut about coping with loss and trauma.”
—Booklist“A poignant slice-of-life story. Readers watch Juniper deal with her grief and learn positive ways to cope with difficult situations. This moving, debut novel will appeal to fans of realistic fiction.”
—VOYA
