James, Brian. Life Is But A Dream.

James, Brian.     Life Is But A Dream.    Macmillan/ Feiwel & Friends   235p $17.99 978-0-312-61004-3       hs          E-BN      Realistic Fiction

In an in-patient mental health facility, Sabrina, a schizophrenic teen, and her new friend Alec make the decision to live life as they are, without medications to keep their illnesses under control.  What are the consequences of the choice that Sabrina and Alex make?  How do the people surrounding them cope? These are just two of the questions that are answered in this very well-written novel about the difficult topic of mental health, and specifically schizophrenia.  The characters are all well developed.  Readers can empathize readily with their illness, treatment and consequences.         

Mental illness-Fiction                                      --Lynn Fisher