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Overview
Suffering from postpartum depression, Emily visits her grandmother to take a break from her life. As she tries to sort through her despair and self-hatred—seeing herself as a worthless teenage girl who abandoned her child—she is befriended by a stay-at-home dad and his son, Pete. Their friendships develop and Emily is able to nurture herself back from her depressive state. Poignant and hopeful, this narrative is told with an acute tenderness and reveals the reality of postpartum depression, the hardships of teenage pregnancy, and how to return to love after a tragic decision.
Synopsis
Suffering from postpartum depression, Emily visits her grandmother to take a break from her life. As she tries to sort through her despair and self-hatred—seeing herself as a worthless teenage girl who abandoned her child—she is befriended by a stay-at-home dad and his son, Pete. Their friendships develop and Emily is able to nurture herself back from her depressive state. Poignant and hopeful, this narrative is told with an acute tenderness and reveals the reality of postpartum depression, the hardships of teenage pregnancy, and how to return to love after a tragic decision.
KLIATT
Emily can hardly pull herself together enough to eat a meal and hold a brief conversation. Living with Charlotte, her mother's friend, Emily spends most of her time sleeping and feeling hollow. When Emily left home, she left behind Matt, her boyfriend, and Mahalia, their young daughter. Though Emily pretended everything was okay, she just couldn't do it anymore. She felt she couldn't love Mahalia enough, so she left. Emily keeps much of her thoughts and feelings to herself, but begins to open up just a bit when she befriends Martin, a stay-at-home father, and his young son, Pete. She hangs around their house, though she still spends most of her time falling asleep or dragging lifelessly about. After some months pass, Emily starts to feel the fog lift and is ready to go back to Matt and Mahalia. The little family she left behind has grown and changed and Emily must figure out how she fits into their lives. This companion to Mahalia, which tells of Matt and Mahalia's life after Emily leaves, is a beautiful, quiet exploration of what it means to be a parent. Emily, who clearly is suffering from postpartum depression, is heartbreakingly fragile. Her guilt and sorrow permeate her every minute. The plot doesn't contain much action, and Emily's lackadaisical nature is initially off-putting. However, character-driven readers will be immediately drawn in to the story by the supporting cast and will find Emily more accessible as her story unfolds. Horniman treats the complex issue of teen pregnancy and Emily's reactions and choices with respect. Reviewer: Amanda MacGregor
Editorials
From the Publisher
"This story of a young mother groping her way out of depression is depicted with great sensitivity. Emmy's slow rediscovery of her self-esteem feels very real." —School Library Journal"Horniman shines a light of realism on the two sides of the many struggles teen parents face." —Kirkus Reviews
"Beautifully written, a perceptive and sensitive portrayal of a difficult time in a teenage girl's life." —YARA
"A sensitive and direct discussion of postnatal depression & a touching and emotional journey." —Courier Mail
"A warm, serious novel about courage, confidence and the reclamation of life." —The Press
"There is a fragility to these characters, so delicately crafted, but so strong in spirit." —Melina Marchetta, author, Looking for Alibrandi
"One of Australia's finest writers, Joanne Horniman has an exquisite honesty in her words, which observe the smallest details. Every sentence is beautiful and necessary." —Weekend Australian
"This is a novel that clearly speaks to the heart, with a slow-burning hope at its core. Joanne Horniman is one of the best novelists writing books with big ideas and intimate characters for young people today. An exceptional experience." —Magpies
KLIATT -
Emily can hardly pull herself together enough to eat a meal and hold a brief conversation. Living with Charlotte, her mother's friend, Emily spends most of her time sleeping and feeling hollow. When Emily left home, she left behind Matt, her boyfriend, and Mahalia, their young daughter. Though Emily pretended everything was okay, she just couldn't do it anymore. She felt she couldn't love Mahalia enough, so she left. Emily keeps much of her thoughts and feelings to herself, but begins to open up just a bit when she befriends Martin, a stay-at-home father, and his young son, Pete. She hangs around their house, though she still spends most of her time falling asleep or dragging lifelessly about. After some months pass, Emily starts to feel the fog lift and is ready to go back to Matt and Mahalia. The little family she left behind has grown and changed and Emily must figure out how she fits into their lives. This companion to Mahalia, which tells of Matt and Mahalia's life after Emily leaves, is a beautiful, quiet exploration of what it means to be a parent. Emily, who clearly is suffering from postpartum depression, is heartbreakingly fragile. Her guilt and sorrow permeate her every minute. The plot doesn't contain much action, and Emily's lackadaisical nature is initially off-putting. However, character-driven readers will be immediately drawn in to the story by the supporting cast and will find Emily more accessible as her story unfolds. Horniman treats the complex issue of teen pregnancy and Emily's reactions and choices with respect. Reviewer: Amanda MacGregorSchool Library Journal
Adult/High School
Seventeen-year-old Emily was overwhelmed by her pregnancy and new baby. She and her boyfriend, Matt, had little support from her family. Emmy was tired, stressed all the time taking care of Mahalia. After a few months she ran away, abandoning the infant to her boyfriend's care. Now she is living with her aunt and trying desperately to come to terms with her decision in the midst of a debilitating depression. Her dreams for her life with her child were shattered when she found she could not cope. Although she has a caring aunt and concerned parents, she floats through her days and evenings, never really connecting with anyone or anything, until she meets Martin and his son, Pete. They are the first people she really sees, and as she begins to watch them, their relationship brings the first glimmer of hope in her life since she left her baby. This story of a young mother groping her way out of depression is depicted with great sensitivity. Emmy's slow rediscovery of her self-esteem feels very real. Little Wing is a companion to Horniman's Mahalia (Knopf, 2003). It can be read alone, although those who do get involved with Emily's situation will seek out the first book.-Charlotte Bradshaw, San Mateo County Library, CA