Lullabies for the Insomniacs - by Ella Grace Foutz (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A teen with bipolar disorder fights for survival in Ella Grace Foutz's memoir in verse.

Foutz weaves an intimate and gripping chronicle of her experience with mental illness. Amidst the turbulence of manic and depressive episodes, often accompanied by insomnia, Foutz relentlessly pursues stability and self-understanding. She examines the struggles that come with her illness, the ways it can be managed, and the ways in which it's inextricable from her deepest self--informing how she sees the world around her and within her.

Balancing poignancy with moments of levity, Foutz invites the reader along for her journey as she navigates the complex terrain of mental health to forge her path forward.

Review Quotes

"In this gritty memoir in verse, Foutz's inner dialogue confirms humans are not one-size-fits-all and people shouldn't be boxed in."--Booklist

"The author is analytical at times, breaking down her symptoms as if identification and categorization will make them more manageable, but other poems come from a more primal place, the thoughts that come when life feels both precious and unendurable. . . Sometimes spare, even simple, and at other points sharply intelligent, the shifting language draws readers in, whether through the vulnerability of unadorned sentences laying emotional truths bare, or through the sparking of intellectual curiosity to slow down, ponder, and find meaning. . ."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Beautifully written in verse, this memoir shares the reality of living with these conditions. Written in verse, the story's format softens the weight of a difficult subject, making it easier to process while still capturing the depth and emotion of the experience."--School Library Journal

"Foutz conveys a tender embrace of her whole self in all its permutations. This perceptive collection offers insightful and, at times, uplifting revelations."--Publishers Weekly