Kathleen Glasgow Collection - Ages 13-18

In the Kathleen Glasgow Collection, readers are invited to journey alongside young heroines grappling with loss, family and the complexities of adolescence. This collection encompasses three poignant novels, Girl in Pieces, How to Make Friends with the Dark and You'd Be Home Now, that illuminate their paths through grief, self-discovery and the search for hope.

The Plot

Girl in Pieces tells the hopeful story of one girl's battle with self-harm. How to Make Friends with the Dark follows a girl's emotional struggle for clarity and forgiveness after an awful, universe-gone-mad mistake. In You'd Be Home Now, Emmy, the quiet, obedient, reliable one, has always been defined against her strong-willed sister Maddie and her wild brother Joey, who is in rehab, until a tragic accident changes life in her small town forever. From addiction to family relationships, Glasgow’s writing captures the rawness of teenage experiences. The themes of resilience and hope resonate throughout, providing a powerful narrative that many young adults will find relatable.

Key Themes

• Loss and Grief: A tragic accident and an awful mistake show the impact of loss on identity and relationships.
• Self-Discovery: The collection highlights the importance of finding oneself amidst chaos.
• Empathy and Connection: Relationships with family and friends underscore the power of support and understanding.

“Glasgow skillfully juggles multiple difficult topics (homelessness, self-harm, etc.) without dipping into melodrama.” – Publishers Weekly, on Girl in Pieces

The lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance make this collection not only an engaging read but also a significant contribution to contemporary young adult literature.