First Time She Drowned, The

When Cassie is released from a mental institution, where she was forcibly placed by her mother, to attend college she is determined to start her life over. She makes new friends and hopes for a better relationship with her mom, but through counselling realizes that her relationship with her mom is unhealthy and that she was sexually molested by a family member. This engaging read deals with issues of mental illness, relationships, hope, resilience, and overcoming abuse/trauma. As the novel deals with sensitive topics of suicide and sexual and psychological abuse it is recommended for class or lit circle study rather than independent reading.