In "How It Feels to Float" debut author Helena Fox takes readers on the powerful coming-of-age journey of Elizabeth, known as Biz. On the surface, Biz appears to be a typical teen who does well in school and enjoys time with her friends and family. However, readers quickly learn that Biz is deeply grieving her father's death, has confusing feelings for her best friend, and her school chums aren't true friends. Circumstances escalate seriously and quickly, and Biz's world falls apart.
In the middle section of the book, readers learn much more about Biz's early childhood and the mental health challenges she faces. The author is skilled in placing the reader into Biz's mind and the reality she lives on a daily basis. When Biz finally trusts a counselor and creates true friendships with two unlikely characters, it's good to see Biz gain understanding of her past and her present situation. I especially enjoyed her discovery of a hobby that proves to be therapeutic. However, when a trip/adventure to visit her father's birthplace reveals unexpected information, Biz isn't prepared to deal with it and encounters new struggles with her mental health.
Although this novel is often raw and intense, it is also hopeful. At the end, I was grateful Biz was able to look forward to her future. I haven't experienced mental health challenges, but this reading experience gave me great empathy toward people who live with such challenges every day. This is an "own voices" novel as the author's note states Fox's experiences with mental health challenges.
In the middle section of the book, readers learn much more about Biz's early childhood and the mental health challenges she faces. The author is skilled in placing the reader into Biz's mind and the reality she lives on a daily basis. When Biz finally trusts a counselor and creates true friendships with two unlikely characters, it's good to see Biz gain understanding of her past and her present situation. I especially enjoyed her discovery of a hobby that proves to be therapeutic. However, when a trip/adventure to visit her father's birthplace reveals unexpected information, Biz isn't prepared to deal with it and encounters new struggles with her mental health.
Although this novel is often raw and intense, it is also hopeful. At the end, I was grateful Biz was able to look forward to her future. I haven't experienced mental health challenges, but this reading experience gave me great empathy toward people who live with such challenges every day. This is an "own voices" novel as the author's note states Fox's experiences with mental health challenges.
