The Art of Insanity is an honest & earnest dive into the experience of a high school senior struggling with mental illness, shifting friendships, familial expectations, and all the other pressures of being a teenage girl.

 

Natalie is starting off her senior year with two major secrets: her car accident this summer wasn’t really an accident, and she’s just been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her mom can’t decide which is more important to keep under wraps in order to preserve their seemingly picture-perfect family life. 

 

But when someone at school discovers the truth, Natalie finds herself adopting a quirky & fluffy new family member to keep her secrets hidden. Add in the fact that she’s got to prepare for a prestigious art show (in the hopes of a scholarship offer from her dream art school) and she’s got a brand new crush … and this school year is going to be a pretty big challenge.

 

I found this story relatable in so many ways. Christine Webb writes in a simple way, but doesn’t numb heavy topics and plot points. I think teenage readers will appreciate this honest storytelling and normalization of tough yet real issues that many young people deal with (from cliques and judgment to parental loss to mental health and suicide). 

 

I enjoyed reading from Natalie’s perspective, and her thoughts felt truly realistic (both in terms of age and diagnosis). I also felt the arc of her & her brother’s relationship was beautiful and really well done. Her developing crush was sweet, and new friend Ella was a charming supporting character. I would have loved to see more growth from her two “best” friends, but other side characters truly did shine in their places. 

 

The book challenges readers: how comfortable are you engaging with mental health? Are you tolerant of others? Would you be accepting of your own diagnosis?

 

Overall, I think The Art of Insanity is an excellent read for young audiences. I would wholeheartedly recommend it. 

 

CW: suicide attempt, mental illness, ableism, misogyny, grief, car accident, death of a parent, abandonment, panic attacks, toxic friendship

 

(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)