This Winter

Well that was wonderful. I hadn’t planned on reading it in a day, but I did. In fact, I read Heartstopper earlier today, stopping in Volume Four to read this.

I liked getting each kid’s perspective on the day. Starting with Tori, early in the morning, we get an introduction to life in the Spring family. Their dynamics are clear and Tori is so perceptive- mostly. I love her directness.

Then Charlie takes over the story. While we know him pretty well from the graphic novels, the prose format gives a deeper dive into the way he thinks. As sweet and thoughtful as he can be, he’s still a teen with mental health issues.

Oseman’s ability to portray the everyday reality of dealing with these difficulties is so comforting. I remember these same fears as a kid. Would people treat me like a fragile child just because I struggle with panic attacks and depression? And some did. I hated it. Others acted as though nothing was wrong, this was just as frustrating. But how do you explain what you need?

I feel like these books can be a great guide to taking steps to help yourself or others. How to be supportive. This is the kind of “you’re not alone” that would have felt helpful as a teenager, instead of the “lots of other people suffer just like you” sort of thing I was told.

I appreciate Oseman’s focus on the journey of healing. The work it takes. The honesty of living with it every day. Showing how everyone in your life is a part of it. How not reaching out to the people who love you can be worse than asking for help.

As the story winds down and the festivities are ending, we get the youngest sibling’s view. Seven year old Oliver is obviously thoughtful and energetic. He has a way of simplifying what silly older people complicate. His adoration for his older siblings is so sweet.

We get to end with them all back home together. This was really sweet. I loved focusing on the siblings. Holidays usual help with bonding, even when it’s a disaster.