We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

• Genre: Fiction; Young Adult Contemporary
• Originally Published: 2017
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile HL660L; Ages 14 and up
• Structure/Length: Divided into chapters; approximately 240 pages; approximately 5 hours, 37 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: We Are Okay follows the story of Marin, a college freshman who has chosen to spend her winter break alone in an empty dormitory on the East Coast. The central conflict revolves around Marin's grief and the emotional aftermath of a tragic event in her past. As Marin's best friend Mabel visits, their reunion unravels secrets and hidden emotions, forcing them to confront the truth about their friendship and the past. The novel explores themes of grief, friendship, love, and self-discovery.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of grief, loss, depression, mental illness, LGBTQ issues, and complex emotions

Nina LaCour, Author

• Bio: American author known for her young adult novels that often explore themes of identity, love, and personal growth; LaCour is celebrated for her sensitive and authentic portrayals of teenage experiences; We Are Okay received critical acclaim for its exploration of grief and friendship
• Other Works: Hold Still (2009); Everything Leads to You (2014); The Disenchantments (2012); Watch Over Me (2022); Yerba Buena (2022)
• Awards: Michael L. Printz Award (2018)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide: