Heroine

A captivating and powerful exploration of the opioid crisis—the deadliest drug epidemic in American history—through the eyes of a college-bound softball star. Edgar Award-winning author Mindy McGinnis delivers a visceral and necessary novel about addiction, family, friendship, and hope. When a car crash sidelines Mickey just before softball season, she has to find a way to hold on to her spot as the catcher for a team expected to make a historic tournament run. Behind the plate is the only place she’s ever felt comfortable, and the painkillers she’s been prescribed can help her get there. The pills do more than take away pain; they make her feel good. With a new circle of friends—fellow injured athletes, others with just time to kill—Mickey finds peaceful acceptance, and people with whom words come easily, even if it is just the pills loosening her tongue. But as the pressure to be Mickey Catalan heightens, her need increases, and it becomes less about pain and more about want, something that could send her spiraling out of control. Prescription Drug Abuse: After a car crash, the painkillers prescribed to star catcher Mickey Catalan do more than take away the pain. They make her feel good—too good. A Gripping Softball Story: Behind the plate is the only place Mickey feels in control. She’ll do anything to keep her spot on a team destined for a historic run, even if it means hiding a secret that could destroy her. The Opioid Crisis Up Close: This Edgar Award-winning novel provides a raw, unflinching look at the deadliest drug epidemic in American history through the eyes of a teen athlete. Realistic Fiction for Teens: Mickey's journey from a beloved hometown heroine to an addict spiraling out of control is a visceral and unforgettable cautionary tale about the line between want and need.