is the story of a lively and imaginative small-town teen living with a mom whose pain medication has led to addiction, leaving little money for basics--like food.

Elise's best friend and her sympathetic teachers offer what help they can, but there's only so much they can do. Elise's situation suddenly turns dangerous when her mother invites a fellow addict into their lives. Elise has to find a better path for herself--to get to college, pay for her education, and deal with her mother's lifestyle.

An authentic, hard-hitting novel that captures a reality faced by many teens whose families experience the epidemic of opioid addiction. Elise's story highlights life choices a teen can face, and the overwhelming feelings that can come if those choices have to be made with little support from family or community.