This book wants to be uplifting and accessible while tackling suicide, cyberbullying, and mental health—and that's a tough needle to thread. It partially succeeds: the illustrated diary format is engaging, Cuckoo is a genuinely likable protagonist, and Patterson clearly wants to destigmatize mental health struggles.

But multiple reviewers flag the same issue: it glosses over the hard stuff. You can't do 'diary fiction lite' about institutionalization and suicide attempts without it feeling somewhat superficial. The crisis hotlines in the back matter signal the seriousness, but the breezy tone doesn't always match the weight of the content.

For the right 12-14 year old—one who's ready for these conversations but needs an entry point that's not too dense—this could work. For younger kids or those dealing with actual mental health struggles, it might feel either too heavy or not respectful enough of the reality. It's a conversation starter, not a deep dive.