First published 2010
Tallulah lives surrounded by restrictions. Adults constantly remind her to stay clean, speak quietly, and avoid jeans like her classmates wear. Everyone insists she's "not that kind of girl" whenever she wants to act differently. The constant chorus of don'ts and shouldn'ts leaves Tallulah knowing exactly what others expect her to avoid, but she remains uncertain about her true self. Through encounters with supportive friends who see her differently, Tallulah begins questioning these imposed limitations. She discovers that other people's definitions matter less than understanding herself. The young girl learns to separate external expectations from internal truth. With encouragement from those who believe in her authentic nature, Tallulah finds the courage to define herself on her own terms rather than through other people's restrictions.
Genres: family-life, coming-of-age, contemporary, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
32 pages · Hardcover · Aladdin