Books like The first time she drowned by Kerry Kletter
After spending time in a mental hospital under circumstances she denies, Cassie O'Malley leaves against medical advice at eighteen, determined to rebuild her life through college studies. Her plans are upended when her estranged mother resurfaces, challenging Cassie's sense of identity, family bonds, and the legitimacy of her past. The story follows Cassie's struggle to navigate memory, self‑actualization, and the complex emotions tied to her family history, including unresolved issues of abuse and emotional turmoil. As Cassie confronts her mother's return, she must reconcile what she remembers with the reality before her, ultimately seeking truth and a path forward amid lingering trauma.
First publish date: 2016
Genre: Children's Fiction/Children's Adventure
Authors: Kerry Kletter
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