Wildthorn follows Louisa, a girl who is locked up in an asylum because she is not feminine enough. The book goes back and forth from her life at the hospital to her memories of her life before. She meets a worker and develops a relationship with her that leads to her escape.
I enjoyed reading the novel but it was not a fast read. While the romance was unexpected the ending of the book was fairly predictable and the story wrapped up a little to perfectly. The descriptions of the asylum felt real but weren't excessively graphic. The lesbian plot was well done (surprisingly to me) and very accessible even to those who are uncomfortable with the topic as the relationship is sweet and does not take up a huge part of the plot.
Appropriateness: The book has scenes of drug abuse and gambling and talk of sexual abuse shown in all age appropriate manner which works as a teachable moment. There is a fleeting sex scene at the end which is not excessively descriptive. I found the book appropriate for middle school and above. The story will interest a middle school and high school audience.
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