Trina’s dad has been angry and depressed ever since he lost his job. Even though Trina buries herself in her Cultural Arts Week project, she’s never free from her father’s moods and her mother’s worries. Finally, late one night, Trina is forced to face the truth of her father’s terrible illness.

The novel ‘Eclipse’ by Kristine Franklin is a deeply sensitive exploration of what happens when a parent gives up hope and a young person must take on burdens far beyond her years, Eclipse is a moving and memorable novel.”

Depression in a close family member; the stigma attached with mental illness; worry that your mother might have a baby with Down Syndrome: these are topics not tr

Franklin should be commended because she never resorts to ‘talking down’ to her young adult reader. Neither does she sound ‘preachy’ or ‘sugar-coat’ the story with an ‘everything will turn out ok’ theme. Indeed, the reader is never sure how the story will end. Trina is often afraid, uncertain, and feels alone. She feels compelled to give up certain ‘kid’ things and takes on an adult role in the house…yet seems to resent the fact that she has to make the choice. Although this may or may not be what young adults in similar situations think or do, it is very easy to empathise with Trina; the reader is taken on an emotional roller coaster along with the main character.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is in a similar situation to that of Trina and her family. The novel takes you into the life of a person who has a family member with mental illness and you gain some understanding as to how it affects you and your family. It also gives advi

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