The Things We Can Fix - Kenneth Thomas

THE THINGS WE CAN FIX is a funny, honest coming-of-age novel about friendship, money, family, shame, belonging, second chances, and the strange ways people find one another when life gets complicated.

It is a story for the kid who has ever hidden what was happening at home.

For the kid who has been judged by the worst thing they ever did.

For the kid who works twice as hard to hide a weakness because being laughed at once was enough.

For the kid who has tried to carry an adult problem because nobody else seemed to be carrying it.

For the kid who has ever needed somewhere to go without having to buy something, explain something, or pretend everything was fine.

And for every young person still trying to figure out the difference between giving up and letting go.

Riley and his friends do not save each other. They do something harder: they learn how to show up, tell the truth, make room, set boundaries, ask for help, repair what they can, and come back after getting it wrong.

Because growing up is partly learning that not everything can be repaired.

And partly deciding what you are going to do about the things that can.

Recommended for ages 13+.