The Willow

The Willow contains content that will be upsetting to some readers, including gun violence, death, and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

"I felt Kirsten's grief alongside her in this heartfelt, timely, and deeply moving novel." – Nancy Werlin, New York Times best-selling author

"Full of vivid details that bring to life a powerful bond of sisterhood, the story's poignant swings from heartwarming to heartbreaking and back again captivated me. The subject matter and the unique–for YA fiction, at least–inclusion of very-much-present parents, make this a perfect read for fans of Will I Stay." – Jen Malone, author of The Arrival of Someday

"A tender, loving, and ultimately hopeful story of how we move forward from unspeakable trauma." – Sarah Darer Littman, author of Deepfake

"The Willow is a heartbreaking and ultimately affirming story of grief, love, and what happens after the very worst happens. Even as Kirsten loses touch with reality and time in the face of her immense grief and guilt, McDonald approaches Kirsten's mental state with sensitivity and care. Supporting characters are crafted well, as Kirsten's parents and fried grapple with their own complicated feelings of loss while trying to support Kirsten's fragile mental state. While pain and heartache are an all-too-real part of The Willow, readers will connect with Kirsten as she finds her way through the worst kind of loss." – Annie Cardi, author of The Chance You Won't Return

What do you do when the worst thing in the world actually happens?

Run.

What do you do when you can't face the truth?

Hide.

What if there's no escape?

Break everything and start over.

Kirsten Madsen's sister, Astrid, is the victim of a school shooter. As the town rages and grieves, Kirsten just wants to escape… to a world where Astrid never died. Where they can grow up as sisters. Where they can both watch the willow tree they planted together reach its full potential. But there are some things you can't outrun…

This gripping and powerful novel about love and grief—and the lengths our psyches go to when protecting us from trauma—will have readers gasping with each twist, and rooting for Kirsten to become whole again.

Debut author Wendy M. McDonald explores the lives we are dealt, the lives we wish we had, and how we can face the truth in this searing psychological drama.