A Breath Too Late — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
For fans of Girl in Pieces, All the Bright Places, and Girl, Interrupted comes a haunting and breathtaking YA contemporary debut novel that packs a powerful message: hope can be found in the darkness.
“Achingly poignant . . . a love letter and a life raft to the brokenhearted.” –New York Times bestselling author Alison McGhee
Seventeen-year-old Ellie had no hope left. Yet the day after she dies by suicide, she finds herself in the midst of an out-of-body experience. She is a spectator, swaying between past and present, retracing the events that unfolded prior to her death.
But there are gaps in her memory, fractured pieces Ellie is desperate to re-assemble. There's her mother, a songbird who wanted to break free from her oppressive cage. The boy made of brushstrokes and goofy smiles who brought color into a gray world. Her brooding father, with his sad puppy eyes and clenched fists. And Ellie's determined to find out why a piece of her was left behind.
Told in epistolary-like style, Rocky Callen's deeply moving A Breath Too Late sensitively examines the beautiful and terrible moments that make up a life and the possibilities that live in even the darkest of places. Perfect for fans of the critically-acclaimed Speak, I’ll Give You the Sun, and If I Stay.
"An exquisitely played love song to life, in all of its hurts, wonders, memories, and loves." –Jeff Zentner, Morris Award winning author of The Serpent King and Goodbye Days
"A haunting story, punctuated with brilliant points of hope and light. This is an important story. A necessary story . . . Callen’s writing radiates with passion, honesty and love." —National Book Award finalist and Printz Award–winning author An Na
Frequently asked questions
Is A Breath Too Late appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book deals with the topic of suicide, depicting the events leading up to and following the main character's suicide. This is framed as a raw reality of life’s darkest moments without romanticizing the act itself. The book's themes surrounding suicide and mental health may be considered emotionally intense or distressing for some readers, particularly due to the subject matter of a character's death and its impact on those left behind.
Does A Breath Too Late have violence?
The book deals with the topic of suicide, depicting the events leading up to and following the main character's suicide. This is framed as a raw reality of life’s darkest moments without romanticizing the act itself.
Does A Breath Too Late have scary content?
The book's themes surrounding suicide and mental health may be considered emotionally intense or distressing for some readers, particularly due to the subject matter of a character's death and its impact on those left behind.
Does A Breath Too Late have religious themes?
No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the search results. The narrative centers on personal struggles and mental health rather than religious themes.
Does A Breath Too Late have racial/cultural content?
No racial themes or discussions of racism are present in the search results. The content focuses on personal and mental health issues.
Does A Breath Too Late have profanity?
No profanity is noted in the search results. The narrative is described as having a flow that is clunky and stilted, but there is no mention of strong language.
Does A Breath Too Late have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions related to environmental issues are present in the search results. The focus is on mental health and personal experiences.
Does A Breath Too Late have sexual identity?
No sexual content is mentioned in the search results. The focus is primarily on mental health and the aftermath of suicide.
Does A Breath Too Late have gender roles?
No specific gender roles or discussions of gender expectations are mentioned in the search results. The narrative centers on the protagonist's personal struggles.
Does A Breath Too Late have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results related to 'A Breath Too Late'. The content focuses on themes of suicide and mental health without reference to LGBTQ+ issues.
