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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, High School Librarian Title: Chaos Theory Author: Nic Stone Publisher: Crown
Year: 2023 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Self Harm and Suicide. Drinking/alcoholism. Mental health issues.
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book:
Nic Stone is an extremely popular author (Dear Martin, etc...) and the topic was intriguing to me.
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
An honest and real look at mental illness, Shelbi and Andy will stay with you long after you finish the book.
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Review:
This book is probably one of the best representations of mental illness that I have read in a long time! (Damage by AM Jenkins, published in 2001, is another). Nic Stone is an accomplished and popular author who tackles a very difficult topic with honesty and transparency. She admits in notes to the reader, at the beginning of the book, that this story is somewhat autobiographical, and that she herself suffers from mental illness. She argues that she wrote this book “not for people who suffer from mental illness, but rather to people who don’t 'get’ how mental illnesses work.” The story follows two main characters, Shelbi, who is a bi-polar, self-proclaimed science geek, and Andy, who is struggling with the loss of a sister, a strained relationship with his parents, and has turned to alcohol to cope. The two attend Windward Academy, an exclusive prep school in California. Their paths cross (or stars align) as a result of Andy’s drunken mis-text to Shelbi. Clearly, they are attracted to each other, but after a tumultuous time in her old school, Shelbi is cautious about forging relationships. Despite this, the two become friends. However, the closer they become, and the closer they get to graduation, the more worried I became about Shelbi. Clearly, she was headed toward a manic breakdown despite her caution with relationships and triggers. Andy, spirals out of control after he learns some awful things about his mother, who is running for congress. Both characters struggle with serious mental health issues, their relationship needs to take a backseat to their mental health- which Stone handles very well. Although the focus of the story is Shelbi and Andy, the secondary characters are also strong. With the exception of Andy’s mother, the parental units are supportive and kind. Overall, this book does an excellent job of depicting the struggles teens face when dealing with mental illness, in a realistic and honest way. We need more of these narratives!
Given the realistic portrayal of this mental illness I think it could be a good supplemental read for a health class. Maybe gather titles like this, along with Jenkin's Damage, Shusterman's Challenger Deep, John Green's Turtles All the Way Down, etc...as a mental health book study. I can almost see this as a health/ELA elective.
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