Trowbridge Road

A tender story of pain and healing in the face of mental illness

When June Bug Jordan's father dies of AIDS, her mother's own mental health worsens. While her mother hides away from the world and constantly scrubs the house clean, June Bug befriends a new kid in the neighborhood whose family is healing from troubles of its own. This middle grade novel offers a bittersweet look at how mental illness can hurt loved ones, and that hope and healing can be found even when the pain feels inescapable. The depiction of June Bug's mother's behavior also gives young readers an idea of the subtler forms abuse can take. It is an excellent pick for readers looking for nuanced portrayals of mental illness.