First published 2013
Michael Schofield's six-year-old daughter January lives between two worlds. In one world, she attends school and plays like other children. In the other, she inhabits Calalini, where imaginary friends command her to hurt herself and attack her baby brother. January has been diagnosed with one of the most extreme cases of childhood schizophrenia ever documented. Powerful psychiatric medications that would incapacitate adults barely affect her. Her parents fight daily to protect both their children while searching desperately for treatments that might help. They endure two years of failed medications, repeated hospitalizations, and accusations of abuse. Their marriage nearly crumbles under the strain. Schofield documents their journey from despair toward hope as they learn to navigate January's illness and discover that creating a stable life for their daughter remains possible despite the overwhelming challenges.
Genres: psychology, mental-illness, memoir, parenting
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, medical-mystery
320 pages · Paperback · Crown
Content warnings: mental-illness, self-harm