The Memory of Light

Now in paperback: This beautiful novel from the author of Marcelo in the Real World about life after a suicide attempt is perfect for fans of Gayle Forman and Thirteen Reasons Why.

Praise for The Memory of Light:* "Stork further marks himself as a major voice in teen literature by delivering one of his richest and most emotionally charged novels yet." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Stork writes sensitively about Vicky's journey from near death to shaky recovery . . . . A subject that needs the discussion Stork's potent novel can readily provide." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Accurate, heartbreaking, and hopeful . . . . A beautiful read." -- School Library Journal, starred review* "Undeniable emotional strength and an encouraging, compassionate message. Stork writes his characters with authenticity and respect . . . . Highly rewarding." -- Booklist, starred reviewPraise for Marcelo in the Real World:"[A] brisk, brilliant, unsentimental novel." -- Robert Lipsyte, New York Times Book Review* "Stork introduces ethical dilemmas, the possibility of love, and other 'real world' conflicts, all the while preserving the integrity of his characterizations and intensifying the novel's psychological and emotional stakes. Not to be missed." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "It is the rare novel that reaffirms a belief in goodness; rarer still is one that does so this emphatically." -- The Horn Book Magazine, starred reviewPraise for The Last Summer of the Death Warriors:* "Stork's latest marks him as one of the most promising young adult authors of the new decade." -- The Horn Book, starred review"Complicated yet ultimately endearing characters are a Francisco Stork standard. His latest novel doesn't disappoint." -- Chicago Sun-Times

Francisco X. Stork (he/him) emigrated from Mexico at the age of nine with his mother and his adoptive father. I Am Not Alone is his tenth novel. Other novels include: Marcelo in the Real World, recipient of the Schneider Family Book Award, The Last Summer of the Death Warriors, which received the Elizabeth Walden Award, The Memory of Light, recipient of the Tomás Rivera Award, Disappeared, which received the Young Adult Award from the Texas Institute of Letters and was a Walter Dean Myers Award Honor Book and Illegal, recipient of the In the Margins Award, the Young Adult Award from the Texas Institute of Letters and the International Latino Book Award. On the Hook published in 2021, received four starred reviews and was the recipient of the International Latino Book Award.

From The Memory of Light:"What happened, mi niña? Why you do something so horrible? Something happen in school?""No, no." "Do you miss your mamá? I miss her too. Your mamá wouldn't want you to do this.""I know," I say, rubbing my eyes with my hands. "Who hurt you, mi niña? Tell me.""No one, Nana, no one hurt me. It just hurts inside, I don't know why.""Is it Barbara? Is that what happen?""No . . ." I have no answers to these questions, no explanations that make any sense. I feel my head shrinking, tightening with pressure, as if I were taking an exam in a foreign language on a subject I never even knew existed. "She okay. She tries. She needs learn to smile. So serious always. But she not bad inside. Your father, he loves you also. They sometimes confused about how to love. But they okay."It is so painful to hear Juanita's voice. Why? "Nana, I have to go. I wanted to let you know I'm okay. This thing I did. Taking the pills. It doesn't mean I don't love you.""I know that, my niña, I know. I no never have doubts. Don't worry. I be here waiting for you. Diosito didn't want you to die." "I have to go now, Nana.""Don't cry, my little baby. Everything okay. You see."The call ends. I lie there for I don't know how long, my hand on the telephone, as if I'm afraid to let go of the voice that flowed through it. It is possible, I realize, to have people in your life who love you and who you love, and to still want to kill yourself. It's almost as if part of the reason you're doing it is for them, because you are not worthy of their love, and you want to stop being a burden to them, contaminating their lives with your moodiness and grumpiness and miserableness. I feel Juanita's love now. And it makes me feel so much worse.