Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is capital-L Literature YA—the kind English teachers assign and book clubs dissect. Nelson's prose is gorgeous, the grief portrayal is gutting and real, and the messiness of Lennie's choices (hello, making out with your dead sister's boyfriend) is handled with nuance rather than judgment.

But let's be clear: this is not a casual beach read. It's emotionally heavy, the love triangle setup is ethically fraught, and there's enough sexual content that you wouldn't hand it to a middle schooler without a heads-up. The poetic, lyrical style is either catnip or a slog depending on your teen's reading preferences.

For the right reader—someone ready for mature themes, who appreciates beautiful writing, and who wants to sit with big feelings about loss—this is excellent. For a kid looking for fantasy escapism or a rom-com, this will feel like homework. The 2022 A24 film adaptation got mixed reviews for being overly whimsical, so the book's probably the better bet if you're going this route.

Age Fit

Best for mature 14+ readers who can handle sexual content, complex moral situations, and heavy grief themes. The poetic style and emotional depth will appeal most to literary-minded teens, not reluctant readers looking for plot-driven stories.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Handles grief with emotional authenticity and shows a teen navigating complex feelings after her sister's death. The love triangle involves kissing her dead sister's boyfriend, which is messy and morally complicated but ultimately honest about grief's chaos. Models vulnerability and the slow work of healing, though the romantic entanglements are ethically murky.

Imaginative

81

Nelson's debut is known for its lyrical, poetic prose and the creative device of Lennie writing poetry on scraps of paper she leaves everywhere. The musical elements (Lennie plays clarinet, Joe plays trumpet) are woven throughout. The magical realism touches and whimsical narrative voice make grief feel less clinical and more artful. It's a book that invites readers to think about how we express pain creatively.

Safe

68

Contains sexual content including making out scenes and some sexual tension/activity between teens. The emotional weight of sudden death and grief is heavy throughout. The protagonist kisses her dead sister's boyfriend repeatedly, which could be disturbing or confusing. Language includes some profanity. Not graphic or gratuitous, but definitely YA territory with mature themes that younger readers shouldn't stumble into unexpectedly.

Enriching

85

One of the most nuanced YA portrayals of grief, guilt, and the non-linear process of healing. Explores how people grieve differently, the complexity of survivor's guilt, and the messiness of moving forward. The musical and poetic elements add layers of meaning. Builds empathy for people processing loss and validates that grief doesn't follow rules. Amazon rating of 4.5 suggests strong reader connection.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

One of the most authentic portrayals of teen grief in YA—doesn't sanitize the chaos, guilt, or irrational choices that come with loss
Lyrical, poetic prose with a creative conceit (poetry on scraps of paper) that makes the reading experience feel artistic
Musical elements throughout add depth and beauty—perfect for kids who connect to music as emotional expression
Validates that healing isn't linear and people grieve in wildly different ways
Strong 4.5 Amazon rating suggests it resonates deeply with readers who connect to its style

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What to Watch For

Sexual content including make-out sessions and some sexual activity between teens—not graphic but definitely present
The central premise (kissing dead sister's boyfriend) is morally complicated and could be upsetting or confusing
Heavy emotional content about sudden death, grief, and guilt throughout—this is not a light read
Literary, poetic style won't land for readers who prefer straightforward prose or fast-paced plots

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Lennie kept going back to Toby even though she knew it was complicated?"
"Have you ever done something that felt wrong but also felt like the only thing you could do in that moment?"
"The book shows how Lennie's family all grieves Bailey differently—what do you think your grief style would be?"
"Music is huge for both Lennie and Joe. Do you have something creative that helps you process big feelings?"
"Do you think it's possible to be in love with two people at once, or was Lennie using one to cope with the other?"

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