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Description
Told through the diary entries of a real teen, Mary Rose struggles with addiction, bullying, and a deadly secret. Edited by Gillian McCain and Legs McNeil.
Quick Summary
What makes "Dear Nobody" hit different is that it's not a fictional story it's a real teenager's diary, unfiltered and honest in a way that most books for teens aren't. Mary Rose writes about juggling school, friendships, and family stuff while dealing with bullying, addiction (both her own struggles and watching others close to her), and a secret she can't tell anyone. The entries feel like something you'd find in a middle schooler's backpack, which is exactly why kids connect with it so quickly. It's raw, sometimes funny in that dark humor way teens actually use, and genuinely touching without ever feeling preachy or like it's trying to teach you something. If you've ever read "Go Ask Alice" (which is also presented as a real diary but is actually fiction), this has that same pull, but Mary Rose's story is more contemporary and the diary format makes it impossible to put down. Parents should know it deals with real teen issues substance use, peer pressure, depression without glorifying any of it, and the ending is bittersweet but ultimately hopeful. This is the kind of book that gets passed from hand to hand in hallways because teens recognize themselves in it.