Bruised

When eighteen-year-old Daya unexpectedly loses her parents in an accident, she struggles with grief and mental health and turns to self-harm to deal with her pain. She is introduced to roller derby and finds it an easy way to bruise herself physically and emotionally, but the sport also helps her to heal as she learns about teamwork and friendship. This Canadian novel deals with sensitive issues of mental health, loss, and self-harm, as well as sports, teamwork, and family, and can launch discussions, projects, and essays. Social considerations noted; student maturity and background should be considered, and pre-reading preparation recommended.