Review Detail

One thing I hate more than anything are stories that reinforce cliche and stereotypes on mental illness. Or worse, depict them as serial killers. So when I find a book that shows readers a more realistic portrayal, I want to share it with everyone. MADE YOU UP is that book.

Alex's not sure what's real or not. Her way of coping is taking photos to verify if indeed what she's seen isn't a delusion. After one skit at a hospital, she goes to another school where she meets Miles, who it seems has his own issues. Something about him seems familiar and she finds herself gravitating to him even when he does everything he can to push her away. Senior year is hard enough without everything else that comes Alex's way. Will she push past her fears of others judging her for being 'crazy' or stay in her own world.

What worked: EVERYTHING. First off, Alex is schizophrenic as she sees delusions and has a hard time between what's real or not. Her first incident happened when she was young and thought a lobster in a lobster cage at a market pleaded with her to set him free. At first I wondered if children that young could be schizophrenic but some of my own recent encounters with children younger than 10 opened my eyes that yes, this can happen. It would have been easy to paint Alex as paranoid and very unlikable but instead Zappia digs deep within her characters, showing the vulnerabilities and strengths. So much of Alex's journey resonated as being real and not just another tired cliche. So kuddos for that!

Miles is at first the unlikely love interest. He has his own quirks which I thought were more sensory issues like him putting everything into categories and a dislike of anyone touching him. At first there really isn't any chemistry between the two but it builds first from trust and then goes on from there. **There is one scene where Alex asks Miles to spend the night. This is where readers give a glimpse of the vulnerability between the two which is honest and very raw.

There's a host of other characters too like her sister Charlie, co-worker Tucker, Mean Girl Celia, and others. Each one is painted with their own strengths and quirks. Even the Mean Girl isn't totally one dimensional.

There are some scenes that are totally amazing like one where Alex is asked by her teacher to check out why the lights in their classroom are flickering. There's an urban legend about a missing python that circulates around campus. Alex, not sure what's real or not...Let's just say what follows was a holy what the heck moment! And there is one reveal that took me off guard. I was reading this book while waiting for son at Mathnasium. When I read, I shouted, "No way! No flippin' way!" Love when an author is able to surprise me like that.

Honest portrayal of a teen dealing with schizophrenia that has a THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER meets SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK feel and wowza moments throughout. A top 2015 YA book that deals with mental illness in a realistic and honest way.