60 pages • 2 hours read
Kathleen GlasgowA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
In How to Make Friends with the Dark, 16-year-old Grace "Tiger" Tolliver struggles to navigate life and grief after the sudden death of her mother, June, and is thrust into the foster care system. The book details her journey through various foster homes, discovering her father's identity, forming a bond with her half-sister Shayna, and finding support in a school grief group, as Tiger learns to cope and heal amidst challenging circumstances. Themes include grief, parental loss, trauma, self-harm, suicide, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, addiction, and domestic violence.
Reviews for How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow are generally positive. Critics praise its raw and realistic portrayal of grief and loss, highlighting the powerful, emotive writing and well-developed characters. However, some find it overly intense and emotionally draining. Nonetheless, the novel is lauded for its authenticity and depth, making it a compelling read.
Readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven narratives about grief, resilience, and the journey to healing will find How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow compelling. Fans of All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green will resonate with its heartfelt and poignant exploration of loss.
Recommended
Lexile Level
HL690LEmotions/Behavior: Grief
Society: Community
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Grief / Death
Mental Illness
Realistic Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction