You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Catherine has bipolar disease. While the manic side is no picnic, Cath knows the biggest danger is Zero, the deep, dark depression side that prompted a suicide attempt. While Cath is on medication and says she’s fine, she secretly keeps a stockpile of meds, ready to use when Zero comes back, as he is sure to do. While Cath nervously awaits his arrival, she finds he keeps getting delayed. Cath starts a new therapy group, connects more with her psychiatrist, makes a few new friends, and starts to find a different perception of her bipolar disease. Cath struggles to decide how much she can, and is willing, to survive in this story of grief, heartache, love, and hope.
Karen Fortunati’s stunning contemporary, THE WEIGHT OF ZERO, tackles heavy topics that will leave you in tears. Catherine is a remarkable protagonist, full of wit, anger, grief, and heart. Her journey is one that is crucial and realistic to anyone with a mental illness, especially those with bipolar disease. Catherine struggles to accept that her mental illness is a lifelong one; there is no one cure that will fix everything. She continues to feel grief over the loss of her beloved grandmother, while also feeling guilty for the strain she believes she puts on her single mother. Not to mention, she’s hurting over the friends who left her when they found out her disease, and the people at school who still taunt her for it.
Part of her treatment is group therapy, and this has one of the best depictions of group therapy I’ve ever seen. All of the group members are around the same age, many going to the same high school, and Fortunati balances the inherit awkwardness, teen social dynamics, and the need for those in pain to connect with others. This evolves into a specific private universe for Catherine where she learns she has more in common with her group members than she thought, that she can make new friends even though her old ones left her, and that sometimes hearing that someone else has experienced similar pain can truly help.
There are layers of different relationships in THE WEIGHT OF ZERO, all brilliant in their own right. Catherine begins the story believing her mother would be better off without her, but her journey shifts her thought process in a number of ways, showing how interdependence works. Catherine also experiences what a healthy friendship looks like, as she befriends one of her group therapy members. She learns what it means to be honest with friends and to brave them knowing the real you, while also knowing when to call them out if necessary. The romance is also a moving element of the novel, exploring how no relationship can work when someone is holding back and that part of trust is sincere communication.
A gem of a novel, THE WEIGHT OF ZERO dives headfirst into the reality of mental illness, and the hope, joy, and happiness that living can bring while healthily preparing and strategizing for positive coping mechanisms when life is hard.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/explore-ya-fiction/discussions/review?id=38520
Karen Fortunati’s stunning contemporary, THE WEIGHT OF ZERO, tackles heavy topics that will leave you in tears. Catherine is a remarkable protagonist, full of wit, anger, grief, and heart. Her journey is one that is crucial and realistic to anyone with a mental illness, especially those with bipolar disease. Catherine struggles to accept that her mental illness is a lifelong one; there is no one cure that will fix everything. She continues to feel grief over the loss of her beloved grandmother, while also feeling guilty for the strain she believes she puts on her single mother. Not to mention, she’s hurting over the friends who left her when they found out her disease, and the people at school who still taunt her for it.
Part of her treatment is group therapy, and this has one of the best depictions of group therapy I’ve ever seen. All of the group members are around the same age, many going to the same high school, and Fortunati balances the inherit awkwardness, teen social dynamics, and the need for those in pain to connect with others. This evolves into a specific private universe for Catherine where she learns she has more in common with her group members than she thought, that she can make new friends even though her old ones left her, and that sometimes hearing that someone else has experienced similar pain can truly help.
There are layers of different relationships in THE WEIGHT OF ZERO, all brilliant in their own right. Catherine begins the story believing her mother would be better off without her, but her journey shifts her thought process in a number of ways, showing how interdependence works. Catherine also experiences what a healthy friendship looks like, as she befriends one of her group therapy members. She learns what it means to be honest with friends and to brave them knowing the real you, while also knowing when to call them out if necessary. The romance is also a moving element of the novel, exploring how no relationship can work when someone is holding back and that part of trust is sincere communication.
A gem of a novel, THE WEIGHT OF ZERO dives headfirst into the reality of mental illness, and the hope, joy, and happiness that living can bring while healthily preparing and strategizing for positive coping mechanisms when life is hard.
Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/explore-ya-fiction/discussions/review?id=38520
This was sad and moving. A good look into the life of someone with a mental illness.
I was skeptical starting this because I often get frustrated with 'boy saves girl' when it comes to mental illnesses. And while this had a romantic relationship, it was definitely not what 'saved' her. Catherine saved herself. With the help of the strong bond of her mother, therapist and new friends who entire outlook on her Bipolar disorder changes.
I loved this book so so much. It was great to read about a teen girl going through bipolar disorder, and kind of just seeing how it ran through her mind and took affect of her life. I think the depiction was very human and true, and I appreciate this representation. A must-read for people looking for beautiful stories about young girls managing mental illness.
Wasn't too sure about this one as I first started reading it, but the characters won me over (especially Nonny!). A really warm story overall and I enjoyed it.
4! While I did feel that the story was a bit rushed, I really liked it overall.
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness
I read this book for my YA book club. It was Annie’s pick. The main character is a teen with bipolar disorder who had previously attempted suicide. The disease parts were kind of interesting, but overall she was just too angsty for me. I just wanted to scream at her to tell someone…anyone…what was going on in her head. Perhaps it’s because I procrastinated reading this book and had to read it in a matter of days, but it was just not my cup of tea. That being said, it wasn’t unenjoyable to read.
http://opinionatedbooklover.com/ive-reading-lately/
http://opinionatedbooklover.com/ive-reading-lately/
4.5 Stars! A very beautiful, sad and sometimes funny story about a teen living with mental illness. *Also Nonny is the sweetest baby angel.*