Fifteen-year-old Mary has always been the responsible one, but when her overwhelmed father walks out, she’s left trying to hold together a home that’s falling apart. With a suicidal mother who’s drinking too much and five younger siblings who depend on her, she works hard to maintain the appearance of normality despite the chaos erupting in her once-privileged world. As the pressure builds, she spirals into self-destructive choices. Eventually the ambitious teenager is forced to face what she’s been avoiding: she can’t fix everything or save everyone. As Mary sheds her image of perfection, an authentic self emerges.

A gripping, heartfelt coming-of-age story, Ducks Run, Horses Fly is about survival, strength, and the moment a girl accepts reality and reclaims her life. Told from adult Mary’s perspective, this novel unflinchingly describes the origins of family dysfunction and the insights that lead to recovery.