If you’ve seen your teen clutching a book with a bright yellow cover and post-it notes while crying into a bowl of cereal, they’re probably reading All the Bright Places.

The story follows two high schoolers: Violet Markey, who is dealing with survivor's guilt after her sister dies in a car accident, and Theodore Finch, a boy obsessed with death who is likely suffering from undiagnosed bipolar disorder. They meet on the ledge of their school’s bell tower—both contemplating jumping—and end up partnering for a school project to "wander" their state of Indiana.

While they fall in love and Violet begins to heal, Finch’s mental health continues to spiral. Unlike many YA romances where "love saves all," this one takes a much darker, more realistic turn.

You might wonder why a book from 2015 is suddenly all over your kid’s feed. Welcome to BookTok, the corner of TikTok where "books that will make you sob" is a literal genre.

Teens today—especially the "sad girl aesthetic" subculture—find a weird sort of community in shared emotional devastation. They film themselves before and after reading the final chapters to show off their puffy eyes. All the Bright Places is a staple of this trend, alongside titles like It Ends With Us and The Song of Achilles.

For many kids, these books are a safe way to explore big, scary feelings. For others, it’s about the "vibe." But as parents, we need to know that while the "aesthetic" is trendy, the content is anything but light.

Learn more about how BookTok influences teen reading habits

In 2020, Netflix released a film version starring Elle Fanning and Justice Smith. If your kid isn't a reader, they’ve likely seen this pop up in their recommendations.

The movie is... fine. It’s well-acted, but it definitely "Hollywood-izes" the mental illness aspect. In the book, Finch’s "dark periods" are much more visceral and scary. The movie makes him seem more like a quirky, "manic pixie dream boy" who just happens to have some sad days.

The biggest concern for parents is that both the book and the movie feature a protagonist dying by suicide. While it doesn’t quite reach the controversial "graphic" levels of 13 Reasons Why, it’s still incredibly intense.

We generally recommend this for high schoolers (15+).

Middle schoolers might be drawn to it because of the "sad" trend, but the themes of suicidal ideation and the lack of a "happy ending" for the male lead can be a lot for a 12 or 13-year-old to process without significant adult guidance.

Ask our chatbot for advice on talking to your teen about suicide in media

If your teen is in their "emotional reading" era, there are ways to lean into that without going straight to the most triggering content available. Here are some recommendations:

This is arguably a much better look at mental health. The protagonist has severe OCD, and while it’s difficult, the book focuses on living with the illness rather than being consumed by it.

If they want a teen romance that deals with mental health (eating disorders, depression) but maintains a supportive, hopeful, and much healthier tone, this is the gold standard.

For a younger teen (or even yourself), this movie is actually a masterclass in explaining how anxiety works and how it can take over your "control panel." It’s a great conversation starter for families.

The OG of "sad teen books." It deals with terminal illness rather than suicide, which some parents find easier to navigate as a shared reading experience.

If your teen has already read All the Bright Places, don't panic. Instead, use it as an open door.

Check out our guide on navigating heavy themes in YA literature

All the Bright Places isn't "brain rot." It’s a serious, well-written piece of literature that happens to be very "trendy" right now. It’s not a book I’d hand to a kid who is currently in a dark place, but for a mature teen, it can be a profound way to build empathy for those struggling with mental illness.

Just be prepared for the tears. They are coming.

Learn how to set up content filters on Netflix for mature YA content