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Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War, a girl uncovers her family's history of mental illness in this moving coming-of-age tale that harkens to both The Glass Castle and Forrest Gump. Tallulah James comes from a long line of intelligent college professors with strong Southern roots -- and long-buried family secrets. Tallulah's childhood is a tumultuous one: Her mother is often absent as she puts her goals to save the world over her family. Her father's ignored bipolar disorder results in bouts of depression and manic behavior that often leave Tallulah afraid and confused. But with her older brother Grif to watch out for her and her grandmother to make sure she grows up into a proper Southern lady -- whatever that means -- her life is stable enough; that is, until a tragedy rocks her entire community.