The beautiful struggle of a girl desperate for the one relationship that has caused her the
most pain. In one of the most lyrical novels I've ever read. Haunting and exquisite. -Nicola
Yoon #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything Everything and The Sun is Also a Star
Cassie O'Malley has spent the past two and a half years in a mental institution--dumped there
by her mother against her will. Now at 18 Cassie emancipates herself determined to start
over and reclaim her life. But when the unhealthy mother-daughter relationship that defined
Cassie's childhood and adolescence threatens to pull her under once again Cassie must decide:
whose version of history is the truth and whose life must she save? TEEN VOGUE listed as One
of the best books you need to know now. PASTE MAGAZINE lists it as one of their most
anticipated debuts of 2016 and as one of the best books of the year so far. ALA BOOKLIST names
it to their Top 10 First Novels for Youth list Included in B&N Teen Blog's Best Young Adult
Books of 2016 More praise for The First Time She Drowned: Lyrical emotional...resonant.
-Entertainment Weekly Beautiful and passionate . . . [Kletter is] a writer of great distinction
and infinite promise. -Pat Conroy #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Prince of Tides
and South of Broad . . . An incredible read. Be warned though-you will want to read Cassie's
story start to finish in one sitting. And then you will want to race to put it in the hands
(and hearts) of everyone you know and love. -Jennifer Niven New York Times bestselling author
of All the Bright Places The First Time She Drowned is an exquisite and masterful dive a brave
exploration into the complexities of family and the saving grace of friendship. Kletter's
writing is hypnotic her characters alive her story tragic beautiful hopeful. Simply put
this book is stunning. -David Arnold critically acclaimed author of Mosquitoland and Kids of
Appetite [A] beautiful gut-wrenching ache of a story. If you are at all interested in books
this is required reading. -Becky Albertalli author of the Morris Award-winning Simon vs. the
Homo Sapiens Agenda The best writers are able to tell the most difficult stories with the most
empathy and that's just what Kletter does in this haunting debut about a girl lost in the
depths of her family's secrets and shame. Complex affirming and beautifully written.
-Stephanie Kuehn author of the Morris Award-winning Charm & Strange Gorgeous sumptuously
lyrical luminous…a feast for lovers of language. The First Time She Drowned singlehandedly
shatters every argument that YA books aren't fit fare for adults. -Jeff Zentner author of The
Serpent King
