By John Green

4 out of 5 stars

It has been a while since my last book. (Sound like I am going to confession) My son got married and it has been family time. I am so glad I climbed back up on the horse (or should I say turtle) with this book.

I love John Green. I am saying it up front right now. I love John Green’s books. His characters are always so real and you feel as if you are actually in their worlds. Sixteen-year-old Aza’s life is a hard one to live in. She suffers from OCD, among other things, and just trying to live the life of a teen is a hard, hard struggle. When her best friend Daisy wants her to help find missing millionaire Russell Pickett, she is hesitant. Aza went to camp with Davis, Russell’s son, years ago, a camp for kids who have lost a parent. What she doesn’t expect is to find a world outside that she might really like. If only she can let herself.

I cannot imagine living in a world like Aza. Just reading about her thoughts were tiring but to live that everyday. John Green handled it so wonderfully and so gently without making it seem easy or cute. My heart ached for her. It was an eye-opening look into mental illness. The book does have his way with humor between the kids and also his way of making you cry. Damn you, John Green! Loved it and cannot wait for whatever tearful torture he sends me next time.