Everything's Not Lost - by Frederick Joseph (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A heart-wrenching yet vividly hopeful novel about a Black girl's struggle to find the quiet beauty in life and friendship amid the chaos of grief and mental illness by New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestselling author Frederick Joseph.

"Frederick is such a grounded and beautiful voice of not just this moment but all the moments. Everything's Not Lost cements him firmly as a much needed and stunning voice inside the world of YA literature." --Jacqueline Woodson, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award

As a sixteen-year-old Black girl with bipolar disorder, Ella Washington has plenty stacked against her. But following her beloved sister's unexpected death and its turbulent aftermath, Ella is desperate to find any sense of normalcy. Worse still, someone at her school is determined to drive her deeper into despair.

It feels nearly impossible to find her way out of the fog of grief and loneliness, but through her love of art, some unlikely new friends, and the memory of her sister, Ella slowly learns that the pursuit of happiness and forgiveness is an endeavor that is more than worthwhile.

Told in Frederick Joseph's perceptive and lyrical voice, Everything's Not Lost is an achingly relatable story about finding points of light even in the darkest of times.

Review Quotes

Praise for Everything's Not Lost

★ "The power of this novel is the way the characters navigate struggles and find hope in their world by learning more about their strengths and relying on the people around them. A beautifully written story of friendship, mental illness, and grief that will resonate with diverse readers."--School Library Journal, starred review

★ "A nuanced, culturally rich exploration of grief, mental illness, and the power of community."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A love letter to the idea of community support and all the shapes and sizes it may come in, the work also points toward other sources of solace and renewal for Ella, including visual art, music, and literature, giving readers who may find Ella's story resonant plenty of leads to explore on their own. Joseph's latest novel will be particularly meaningful to fans of novels focusing on mental health in the context of living as a person of color."--Booklist Reviews

"An unflinching and impassioned portrayal of a teenager learning to live alongside grief."--Publisher's Weekly

"Joseph's novel tells a complicated story of love, loss, and friendship, with a raw look at the experience of living with bipolar disorder. . . Readers looking for deeply emotional relationship dynamics that don't require any romance will find a nuanced story here."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Frederick is such a grounded and beautiful voice of not just this moment but all the moments. Everything's Not Lost cements him firmly as a much-needed and stunning voice inside the world of YA literature." --Jacqueline Woodson, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award

"This heartwarming, tender story, brimming with hope and compassion, is exactly what kids need today. You're going to want to want to wrap Ella in a bear hug." --Tiffany D. Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of The Scammer

"In Everything's Not Lost, Joseph explores mental health issues and grief with both unflinching honesty and the utmost care. His ability to see young people as fully human coupled with his breathtaking prose makes it a novel that shines a necessary light in the dark." --Hannah V. Sawyerr, National Book Award & Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist

"Everything's Not Lost is a rewarding journey, a story that approaches perceptions and intersections of mental health and Blackness with truth and unwavering compassion. Frederick Joseph's voice is raw, powerful, and utterly necessary." --Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of The Blackwoods

About the Author

Frederick Joseph is a three-time New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. His books span both the adult and children's book spaces, including The Black Friend; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Courage to Dream; Patriarchy Blues; and, most recently, This Thing of Ours. His work has been well celebrated and recognized in many ways: being named an Amazon Editors' pick, notable by the International Literacy Association, being selected as Best Children's Book of the Year by Bank Street College, being a Booklist Editors' Choice, and many, many more. He lives with his wife, Porsche, and his dog, Stokely, in New York City.

You can visit him online at FrederickJoseph.com or follow him on Instagram @FredTJoseph.