The Art of Insanity

By: Christine Webb

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie

High schooler Natalie Cordova has just been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. Her mom insists she keep it secret.

Putting up a front and hiding her mental illness from her classmates is going to be the hardest thing high schooler Natalie Cordova has ever done. It’s her senior year, and she’s just been selected to present her artwork at a prestigious show. With the stress of performing on her shoulders, it doesn’t help when Natalie notices a boy who makes her heart leap. And then there’s fellow student Ella, who confronts Natalie about her summer car “accident” and pressures her into caring for the world’s ugliest dog. Now Natalie finds herself juggling all kinds of feels and responsibilities. Surely her newly prescribed medication is to blame for the funk she finds herself in. But as Natalie’s plan to self-treat unravels, so does the perfect façade she’s been painting for everyone else.
 
Written from experience, this heartfelt and candid contemporary YA novel explores the stigma surrounding mental illness and offers an uplifting narrative of resilience.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of helpful resources from the book, for if you or someone you know is in crisis

Powerful and Honest

This was an amazing look inside one character's experience with mental illness. With an ample dose of humor, Webb tackles the subject with knowledge and grace. A must read for everyone.

A great read

Whether you know someone with a mental illness or not, this book is entertaining as well as educational. Webb's serious portrayal of a difficult subject is made easier to swallow with the antics of the pug. Webb also uses the backdrop of beautiful art to showcase some of the main character's ugliest life moments. A must read for teenage girls to take a look outside themselves and their clicks, it's a great read for adults, too. This is a book about telling the truth no matter what the costs and how our decisions impact others immediately and for generations to come. Also, the narrator gives an outstanding performance. I highly recommend this book!

A must read soon to be

Widely read by young and old. This creative and bold piece truly gets into the world and mind of a young woman in her senior year of high school after being diagnosed with bipolar syndrome. Christine Web is witty and truly breathes life into the difficulties and blessings the character faces! A novel I am recommending to my school lib

Eye-Opening

Natalie’s story is eye-opening, warm and helpful. Can relate to existing in a world where not everyone understands or accepts mental illness. Great read for me definitely.