A Blue So Dark

by Holly Schindler

Overview

Holly Schindler's Award-Winning Debut Novel - The 2022 Re-Release

Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose has been hiding a secret. Her mother, a talented artist and art teacher, is slowly being consumed by schizophrenia, and Aura has been her primary caretaker ever since Aura's dad left them. Convinced that creative expression is behind her mother's deteriorating condition, Aura shuns her own artistic talent. But as her mother sinks still deeper into the darkness of her disorder, the hunger for a creative outlet draws Aura toward the depths of her imagination. Just as desperation threatens to swallow her whole, Aura discovers that art, love, and family are profoundly linked-and together may offer an escape from her fears.

Booklist Starred Review

Top Ten First Novels for Youth (Booklist)

Silver Medal, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year

Gold Medal, IPPY Awards

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781950514113
Publisher:	Intoto Books
Publication date:	03/21/2022
Pages:	262
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.75(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

Holly Schindler (Springfield, Missouri) dove headfirst into her writing pursuits after obtaining an M.A. in English from Missouri (ma-zur-ah) State University. Her essays, poems, and short stories have appeared in such journals as The Explicator, Slipstream, and Short Story. A Blue So Dark is her first novel. Visit her online at www.HollySchindler.com.

Editorial Reviews

"Breathtakingly, gut-wrenchingly authentic...A haunting, realistic view of the melding of art, creativity, and mental illness and their collective impact on a young person's life." —Booklist, starred review

"An excellent first novel—a definite must-read. Schindler's debut novel is a lyrical tapestry ... a work of poetry." —VOYA

"Any story about mental illness will not be an easy read, but a very good one will reward those who stick with it. A Blue So Dark definitely falls in that category, so powerful is the empathy the author has built for her main character." —School Library Journal

"This story provides a realistic viewpoint of a teen living with a schizophrenic parent. Schindler shows how one teen copes with her ill mother, while trying to juggle the demands of school." —ALAN Online

"A Blue So Dark is one of those rare books: It never shies away from the darkness yet still manages to find the light. A truly real, emotional, and honest read." —Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of Pay it Forward and Love in the Present Tense

"Schindler's lyrical debut explores the nightmare of mental illness in a voice that is sharp and funny and all her own. This is as real as teen fiction gets. A must-read." —Crissa-Jean Chappell, author of Total Constant Order

"A Blue So Dark is a raw, compelling and eloquent portrayal of art and madness, and the freeing, healing gift of creativity. Schindler's voice is brilliant and true." —Carrie Jones, New York Times bestselling author of Need and Captivate

From the Publisher

Gr 9 Up—Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose faces numerous problems that run the gamut from divorced parents and friendships gone sour to relationship angst and acne, but her biggest concern is her mother's battle with schizophrenia. Throughout November and December, Aura tries to keep her life on track, holding secret the dark tunnel she has fallen into as she follows her mother from one psychotic episode to another. Finally, unable to face her difficulties alone, Aura asks for help from her estranged grandmother. Schindler paints a realistic picture of living with a schizophrenic, describing the details from Aura's point of view. She also explores the teen's fear that one day she will succumb to the disease herself. At various times, Aura describes the way her stomach "fists" when the tension overwhelms her. This tension is transferred to readers, so powerful is the empathy the author has built for her main character. Teens will find themselves slowly breathing a sigh of relief as Aura's life returns to a semblance of normalcy, once her mother gets the help she needs. Any story about mental illness will not be an easy read, but a very good one will reward those who stick with it. A Blue So Dark definitely falls in that category.—Wendy Smith-D'Arezzo, Loyola College, Baltimore, MD

School Library Journal