Contemporary Authors

https://lccn.loc.gov/2015043620 Fortunati, Karen, author. The weight of zero / Karen Fortunati. First edition. New York : Delacorte Press, [2016] 385 pages ; 22 cm PZ7.1.F67 We 2016 ISBN: 9781101938898 (hardback)9781101938911 (glb)

• Karen Fortunati - http://karenfortunati.com/?page_id=39

  I’m a writer of contemporary, realistic YA. The subject of my first book, The Weight of Zero, is mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, and it explores the shame, stigma and anxiety that often complicate the management of this chronic condition. The issue is personal to me having witnessed the impact of depression and bipolar disorder in relatives and friends. My goal was to write a story of hope for teens who struggle with mental illness.

  My path to writing and publication was a long and indirect one. I graduated from the University of Scranton with an accounting degree and then got a law degree from Georgetown. After working as a lawyer for many years, I found myself growing interested and then fascinated with history, specifically the American Revolution. This fascination sparked the idea for a middle grade story so between family, dogs and a return to school (Trinity College for a master’s degree in American Studies), I threw myself into writing.

  Success for that middle grade story never arrived. (To see my interview about that, click here.) But that was okay. Because another idea was brewing, one that moved me in a way my first story never had. About a girl who had to deal not only with the standard pressures and stress of high school but also a much heavier weight – a mental illness. The story would be about her struggle to come to terms with it. It became The Weight of Zero.

• Penguin Random House - http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2115843/karen-fortunati

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Karen Fortunati is a former attorney whose experiences on the job with children and teens and personal experiences witnessing the impact of depression, bipolar disorder, and suicide inspired her to write this story of hope for those who struggle with mental illness. She wanted them to know that they are not alone in navigating the shame, stigma, and anxiety that often complicate the management of this chronic condition. Karen attends graduate school at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and works part-time as a museum educator. She lives in Connecticut with her family and rescue dogs. Follow her online at karenfortunati.com or on Twitter at @KarenFortunati

• Book Rook Reviews - http://www.bookrookreviews.com/home/0626-meet-the-newbs-a-qa-with-karen-fortunati-author-of-the-weight-of-zero-delacorte

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  06/26: Meet the Newbs: A Q&A with Karen Fortunati, Author of The Weight of Zero (Delacorte)
  6/26/2016

  Picture
  Hi guys!

  Happy Sunday! Hope all of you are staying cool in this heat.

  (No, seriously. It's going to be 108F here today.)

  Today, we're interviewing Karen Fortunati, as a part of the Meet the Newbs tour from Rachel at A Perfection called Books! Read on for more!

  -J
  Picture
  A Q&A with Karen Fortunati:
  Picture
  Author of The Weight of Zero
  October 2016, Delacorte

  Author Most Likely To Like Everyone on Goodreads who adds The Weight of Zero to Their “To read” List.
  Nickname: Judy (from middle name –Judith) or Big Ka (my brothers’ name for me)
  First Day of School (Book release): October 11, 2016
  Homeroom (Publisher): Delacorte/Penguin Random House
  Grade (Genre): YA Contemporary
  Extracurricular Activities: Reading, writing and talking myself into getting on the treadmill
  Favorite Class: American History
  Favorite Quote/Motto: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” George Elliot.

  Hi there, Karen!

  We’re so excited to have you on the blog as a part of Meet the Newbs, and to share The Weight of Zero with readers! Let’s get started with our questions!

  Q: Since we live in the age of instant communication, could you pitch us your book in one hundred forty characters or less?
  Karen:
  Supported by friends, doctors and family, a young girl moves beyond thoughts of suicide toward a better future.
  ​Q: You’ve mentioned before that The Weight of Zero was inspired by watching relatives and friends grapple with the challenges that come with mental illness.

  Could you share a little more on why you decided to make Catherine a teenager, and not an adult? Was her age a deliberate choice, or did the story just evolve as you were writing?
  Karen:
  My main character, Catherine, came to me as a seventeen-year-old girl. She showed up troubled, anxious and doubting the value of her life. It never crossed my mind that Catherine should be older or younger.

  A while back, my daughter asked me why I wrote YA and not adult. I had no answer for her and that really surprised me. For THE WEIGHT OF ZERO, it felt so natural and right to tell Catherine’s story. But I thought for a long time about why I wrote YA. I realized that it was a collection of experiences that propelled me. I’m a mom, a rather nervous one, so the story was based in part on some of the stresses I’d seen my own kids experience during high school and in part, as a mom worrying about the incredible pressure kids face today.

  ​Another big factor is my husband. He’s a child and adolescent psychiatrist and I have an understanding now that mental health treatment for teens requires a team approach - if everybody is on board with the plan - parents, clinicians, friends, school, etc. – it’s got a better chance to be successful. But that’s really true for anyone; we all need support.
  Q: I’ve read in a number of medical journals that three out of four individuals with mental health concerns will experience a stigma at some point in their lives, especially when they are young.
  ​
  Consequently, I’m grateful for books like yours, and Emery Lord’s When We Collided, because it really stresses the idea that individuals with mental health aren’t strange, unknowable creatures. Instead, they are just as normal as the rest of us, and often braver, because they have challenges and setbacks that the rest of us can never understand.

  How do you think a book like The Weight of Zero can help influence the dialogue about mental health in teens in a productive, informative way?
  Karen:
  We’ve seen mental health covered pretty extensively in YA and what I think ZERO brings to the table is an authentic look at therapy and medication combined with real support from family and friends. The feedback I’ve gotten from librarians, reviewers and booksellers is that this hopeful/positive/comprehensive health care spin feels powerful, productive, and perhaps even unique. My hope is that this book adds to the discussion especially in regards to the potential benefits of comprehensive mental health care.

  Something that I never expected and that completely surprised me is how the book instantly opened up discussions that I would have never had. Especially this year, I’ve been talking with people a lot about The Weight of Zero. About sixty to seventy percent of the time as I’m giving the summary, an expression of recognition comes over their faces followed by a response of: “Oh, my brother/sister/cousin has bipolar disorder” or “I’ve been/my dad/my aunt has been battling anxiety or depression or x.” Just giving an outline of The Weight of Zero opened the door to very honest and real conversations about mental health. That was really eye-opening for me – how the book made it so easy to start this dialogue.
  Q: On a related note, is there anything specific that you learned about bipolar disorder while writing/researching, which influenced how you wanted to share Catherine’s story with readers?
  Karen:
  My research revealed two things that I especially wanted to share in this book. The first is the care needed to manage this chronic condition – it’s not just a matter of swallowing a pill. Bipolar disorder management requires a disciplined approach to wellness - taking medicine if that’s part of treatment, getting sufficient sleep, awareness of triggers like seasonal changes or holidays or stressful events, a good diet and seeing your doctor/clinician/therapist regularly among other things. This is a condition that requires a lot on a daily basis. The other aspect I wanted to share was the stigma of mental illness and how greatly it can complicate treatment from ignoring or downplaying the symptoms to avoiding treatment for fear of ridicule or other negative reaction. My hope is that this story that digs deep into the experience will increase empathy and understanding. The more we know about mental illness, the better the chances of reducing prejudice.
  Q: While readers typically have individual interpretations while reading, is there a specific idea or theme that you want them to be cognizant of while reading?
  Karen:
  The most basic theme is that there is always hope. Always. The tagline of the book captures it perfectly: “Hope survives where you least expect it.”
  Q: On a lighter note, let’s talk about some general writing questions! Are you a plotter or a pantser?
  Karen:
  I’m a hybrid. The Weight of Zero had been marinating in my head for about a year before I actually started writing. When I began it, I knew the beginning and ending and I knew the three or four major events that would move Catherine from Point A to Point B. All the rest came out as I typed. I have dogs so most writing days started out for me at the park as we walked. I’d envision the scene and dialogue there and then I’d go home and write.
  Q: You’ve shared before on how you progressed in your journey as a writer.

  As we count down to your publication day, what is one expectation that you had about publishing, that’s been different on reality?
  Karen:
  I don’t think I fully grasped how fulfilling it is when someone reads your story and totally gets it. The thrill that comes when something you write touches someone else. Flannery Fitch of the Bookshop Santa Cruz, California said this about The Weight of Zero: “It is by far the best depiction of depression that I’ve read in a very long time. I spent the last half of the book in grateful tears, filled with a deep recognition that gave me hope for life and love for Catherine. I cannot express enough what this book meant to me. Read it. It’ll change you.”

  This past month, The Weight of Zero has been selected as an Indies Introduce Summer/Fall 2016 title and a Shelf Awareness BEA Buzz Book - I never even envisioned these and feel enormously grateful.
  Q: If you were in an elevator with Steven Spielberg/Kathryn Bigelow, how would you pitch Weight of Zero as a film, and why?
  Karen:

  I’m awful at pitching a story so most likely I’d clam up in the elevator and then kick myself for the next year. But in this lovely dream scenario, I’d pitch The Weight of Zero as a YA Silver Linings Playbook with a historical component. In the book, Catherine gains inspiration from a history project on the real 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first all black, female unit to go overseas during World War II. The story of the 6888th is powerful and moving and like so many accounts of women’s history, barely known. I’d love to see this part of The Weight of Zero in a movie. Actually, I’d love to see an entire movie devoted to the 6888th.
  Q: And finally, what’s next for you? (I’d love to read some Revolutionary War fiction from you!)
  Karen:
  I’m busy! Right now, I’ve got a number of visits to libraries and bookstores in Connecticut and other parts of New England (see my website www.karenfortunati.com ) and am also scheduling writing workshops at some area high schools.

  Writing-wise, I’m deep into my next YA novel that explores the stigma of mental illness and the hidden prejudices we hide even from ourselves. (My Revolutionary War tale is on the back burner for now :).)
  About the title:
  Hardcover, 400 pages
  Expected publication: October 11th 2016 by Delacorte Press
  ISBN: 1101938919

  Seventeen-year-old Catherine Pulaski knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disorder, almost triumphed once; that was her first suicide attempt.

  Being bipolar is forever. It never goes away. The med du jour might work right now, but Zero will be back for her. It’s only a matter of time.

  And so, in an old ballet-shoe box, Catherine stockpiles medications, preparing to take her own life before Zero can inflict its living death on her again. Before she goes, though, she starts a short bucket list.

  The bucket list, the support of her family, new friends, and a new course of treatment all begin to lessen Catherine’s sense of isolation. The problem is, her plan is already in place, and has been for so long that she might not be able to see a future beyond it.

  This is a story of loss and grief and hope, and how some of the many shapes of love—maternal, romantic, and platonic—affect a young woman’s struggle with mental illness and the stigma of treatment.

• American Booksellers Association - http://www.bookweb.org/news/indies-introduce-qa-karen-fortunati-35142

  Quoted in Sidelights: I didn’t consciously choose to write about a particular mental illness. Catherine, the main character, just appeared in my head one afternoon during a writing retreat. I knew immediately that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and that she feared life with this condition.

  An Indies Introduce Q&A With Karen Fortunati
  Posted on Tuesday, Dec 06, 2016
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  Author Karen Fortunati, author of The Weight of ZeroKaren Fortunati is the author of The Weight of Zero (Delacorte Press/Random House), a Summer/Fall 2016 Indies Introduce debut novel for young adults.

  Flannery Fitch of Bookshop Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, California, who served on the Indies Introduce Middle Grade/YA panel, said The Weight of Zero absolutely floored her.

  “It tore me apart and rebuilt me, in the best possible way. It is by far the best depiction of depression that I’ve read in a very long time. I spent the last half of the book in grateful tears, filled with a deep recognition that gave me hope for life and love for Catherine. I cannot express enough what this book meant to me. Read it. It’ll change you,” said Fitch.

  Fortunati is a former attorney who attends graduate school at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and works part-time as a museum educator. She lives in Connecticut with her family and rescue dogs.

  Fitch recently had the opportunity to discuss The Weight of Zero with the author.

  Cover for The Weight of Zero by Karen FortunatiFlannery Fitch: Where did you get the idea for The Weight of Zero? Why did you choose to focus on bipolar disorder rather than clinical depression?

  Karen Fortunati: There was no one person or thing or event that inspired this story. I didn’t consciously choose to write about a particular mental illness. Catherine, the main character, just appeared in my head one afternoon during a writing retreat. I knew immediately that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and that she feared life with this condition.

  I’ve thought long and hard about why Catherine, why bipolar disorder, and why suicide, and I think she resulted from a blending of many of my life experiences. First, my husband is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and through him, I’ve learned about illnesses and treatments. Second, my life has been touched by suicide: the first by a work colleague and the second by an extended family member. Finally, I’ve witnessed the mental health journeys of family and friends, a few of which included bipolar disorder.

  FF: What do you hope The Weight of Zero will do for readers?

  KF: The first is to reinforce for a reader struggling with any kind of issue that they are not alone. Help is really out there, even if it takes multiple attempts to find it. In The Weight of Zero, there’s a disconnect between Catherine and her first psychiatrist that becomes even more apparent when she forms a bond with her second psychiatrist. This was my vision from the very beginning and one that my editor embraced — this “failure” of care and the existence of quality treatment that might take some effort to find. I also wanted to underscore the tremendous potential when you form a true partnership with your clinician.

  In addition, I’d like readers to gain an understanding of bipolar disorder by presenting an accurate portrayal of what many teenagers experience. It was critical to me that readers also appreciate how the stigma of mental illness — the stereotypes and jokes and even innocent phrases — so tremendously hampers treatment. The more aware we are, the more sensitive and respectful we become. These things have to happen if we are going to make mental health issues as mainstream as physical disorders.

  FF: What has been your favorite part of having The Weight of Zero published?

  KF: Meeting readers! I’ve done a number of appearances and got to speak to readers who were awaiting the book’s release. It’s been incredibly moving to hear their reasons on why they want to read Catherine’s story and, quite frankly, I’ve been blown away by their honesty.

  I wanted this book to make conversations about mental illnesses a little easier and I’ve been floored at the response this story generates. When I speak to readers about this story, many have the same reaction. I give the synopsis, say the words “bipolar disorder,” “depression,” and “anxiety,” and the expression on their face immediately changes. The responses have been immediate: “Oh, my son/sister/daughter has that” or “I struggle with anxiety/depression.” That was how little it took, a 30-second summary, to open the door to an open and honest discussion.

  FF: Why did you include a history project in this story and what was its impact on Catherine?

  KF: When I set out to write The Weight of Zero, I wanted Catherine to draw inspiration and strength from a historical figure so I used a school project as a way to introduce this character. In my research, I focused initially on the D-Day invasion and by complete luck found an article about the four women buried in the Normandy American Cemetery. Three of these women are from the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first all-female, all-African American unit to serve overseas. These soldiers suffered horrible prejudice because they were women, they were black, and serving in a segregated military. And like so many accounts of women in general and during World War II, they remain basically unknown.

  In The Weight of Zero, Catherine is inspired by the fictional character of Private Jane Talmadge, who is based on the recollections of members of the Six-Triple-Eight. Talmadge suffers tremendous prejudice — horrific racism and sexism — yet still forges on despite the stigma. Catherine draws on Talmadge’s example for strength to battle the mental health stigma she experiences.

  FF: Do you have any plans for future projects?

  KF: I’m finishing another serious yet hopeful contemporary young adult novel that looks at a young woman’s experience at the often-dangerous intersection of mental health and law enforcement. Bipolar disorder is at the heart of this story, too, but this time it’s seen through the eyes of a sibling and it examines the secret prejudices we may carry.

• The Children's Book Review - https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2016/10/karen-fortunati-author-of-the-weight-of-zero-speed-interview.html

  Karen Fortunati, Author Of The Weight Of Zero | Speed Interview
  The Children’s Book Review | October 19, 2016

  The Children’s Book Review: Which five words best describe The Weight of Zero?

  Karen Fortunati: Hopeful, authentic, gritty, mental health, love

  If you had to take a vacation with one of the characters from The Weight of Zero, who would it be? Why?

  I struggled over this one because I could have a blast with most of the characters. But if I have to choose one, it would be main character Catherine because she’s got a great, sarcastic sense of humor and she loves history so we’d probably have compatible vacation ideas (museums, sightseeing, etc.). She also loves to eat (especially chocolate donuts and Italian food) so it would be fun to explore restaurants with her.

  What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?

  I’ve gotten some unbelievably moving reviews – where I’m near tears as I read. I’m a debut author and I wrote the story with the goal that it would ring true and familiar to at least some of its readers. There have been some who especially connected with Catherine – her anxiety and depression mirroring in some aspect their own journeys. When they write and say the book captures what it really feels like and that it’s a realistic portrayal with no magical fixes, no love cures all tropes, I feel a huge sense of relief and gratitude.

  What’s on your nightstand? Any books?

  I’m reading the arc of Sometimes We Tell the Truth, a young adult debut by Kim Zarins (releases September 6, 2016) and absolutely loving it. It’s a modern twist on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales with a bus trip to Washington, D.C. as the set up. I wanted to read it because I remember well my own high school D.C. trip. It’s a rite of passage for us here in the northeast. The story is amazing and beautifully written; it’s smart, funny, diverse and deals with sexuality, mental health issues and family struggles. I highly recommend it!

  For your writing energy: sugar or salt, tea or coffee?

  Decaf coffee and sugar in any form. I’m not picky.

  Writing tools: computer, pen and paper, or all of the above?

  Mostly computer and maybe ten percent of the time, paper and pen.

  Can you tell us one more thing we may not know about The Weight of Zero, your writing style, or yourself?

  I live with my best resource! My husband is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and he was essential in helping me gain an understanding of bipolar disorder – symptoms, medications and treatment. From detailed discussions to quick texts regarding technical info (examples: “At what dosage of Lamical would you start a patient?” and “How many tablets would you need if you were at x milligrams? One and half? Two?”) He was also critical in critiquing the scenes with Catherine and her psychiatrist. He’d say to me, “I’d never put it like that. This is what I would say…” and helped really flesh out not only the dialogue between the two characters but where they’d be sitting, furniture arrangement and at what point a parent might enter the room to join the discussion. This added to the authenticity of these scenes immensely.

  ***

  The Weight of ZeroThe Weight Of Zero
  Written by Karen Fortunati

  Publisher’s Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Catherine Pulaski knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disorder, almost triumphed once; that was her first suicide attempt.

  Being bipolar is forever. It never goes away. The med du jour might work right now, but Zero will be back for her. It’s only a matter of time.

  And so, in an old ballet-shoe box, Catherine stockpiles medications, preparing to take her own life before Zero can inflict its living death on her again. Before she goes, though, she starts a short bucket list.

  The bucket list, the support of her family, new friends, and a new course of treatment all begin to lessen Catherine’s sense of isolation. The problem is, her plan is already in place, and has been for so long that she might not be able to see a future beyond it.

  This is a story of loss and grief and hope, and how some of the many shapes of love—maternal, romantic, and platonic—affect a young woman’s struggle with mental illness and the stigma of treatment.

  Ages 14+ | Publisher: Delacorte Press | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-1101938898

  Available Here:

  IndieBound-Iconamazon-smile_color_btnBarnes&Noble-Icon

  About Karen Fortunati
  Karen Fortunati is a former attorney who attends graduate school at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and works part-time as a museum educator. She lives in Connecticut with her family and rescue dogs.

  This speed interview with Karen Forunati, author of The Weight of Zero, was conducted by Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Bipolar Disorder Books, Grief, Hope, Loss, Mental Health, and Speed Interview.

Quoted in Sidelights: Catherine's first-person narration is smart in its
wit and, at times, painfully sharp in its candor about living with mental illness.
The Weight of Zero
Anastasia M. Collins
The Horn Book Magazine.
92.6 (November-December 2016): p72.
COPYRIGHT 2016 The Horn Book, Inc.. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.hbook.com/magazine/default.asp
Full Text: 
The Weight of Zero
by Karen Fortunati
High School Delacorte 387 pp.
9/16 978-1-101-93889-8 $17.99
Library ed. 978-1-101-93891-1 $20.99 (g)
e-book ed. 978-1-101-93890-4 $10.99
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Seventeen-year-old Catherine Pulaski lives in constant fear--"Zero" is coming. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder after her grandmother's death,
Cath knows that her cycles between the "irrational elation" of mania and the crushing emptiness of depression ("mania's flip side, the fucker I call
Zero" on her zero-to-ten mood scale) are permanent and inevitable, but she has a plan. Before Zero can infiltrate her mind again, Cath intends to
kill herself using her assorted collection of prescription meds. But when Cath begins intensive group therapy, a new drug regimen, and a
fascinating history project at school, her plan is disrupted. She finds herself connecting with her history partner Michael, an open and sensitive
soul; and with Kristal, a beautiful and outgoing girl who has an anxiety-induced eating disorder. Catherine's first-person narration is smart in its
wit and, at times, painfully sharp in its candor about living with mental illness. Humorous descriptions of "big-ass brouhahas" in therapy as well
as raw insights into depression's demoralizing effects ring equally true.
5/15/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1494825316131 2/4
(g) indicates that the book was read in galley or page proof. The publisher's price is the suggested retail price and does not indicate a possible
discount to libraries. Grade levels are only suggestions; the individual child is the real criterion.
Source Citation   (MLA 8th
Edition)
Collins, Anastasia M. "The Weight of Zero." The Horn Book Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 2016, p. 72+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA469755371&it=r&asid=859e22ec4496505ab8d3cfa1e5fdca8c. Accessed 15 May
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A469755371

---
Quoted in Sidelights: Fortunati doesn't shy away from detailing Cath's despair but is very clear that with treatment, there is
hope.
5/15/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1494825316131 3/4
The Weight of Zero
Publishers Weekly.
263.36 (Sept. 5, 2016): p79.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text: 
The Weight of Zero
Karen Fortunati. Dalacorte, $17.99 (400p)
ISBN 978-1-101-93889-8
Debut novelist Fortunati tackles social stigma and mental health realistically and honestly through the candid voice of Catherine Pulaski, a 17-
year-old with bipolar disorder. Cath knows that Zero ("mania's flip side") will come for her--it always does--but she has a plan. She has been
stockpiling and hiding pills so that when the debilitating depression of Zero finally returns, this suicide attempt will be successful, unlike her last
one. Before that eventuality, Cath has a bucket list, one that includes losing her virginity and maybe finding a real friend. Cath is required to take
part in group therapy after school, and although she initially resists it, she finds a few kindred spirits there; a blossoming romance with a
classmate, Michael, also helps provide a sense of normalcy. Fearful of the stigma associated with bipolarity, Cath lies about her diagnosis to her
new friends, which leads to complications. Fortunati doesn't shy away from detailing Cath's despair but is very clear that with treatment, there is
hope. Ages 14-up. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary. (Oct.)
Source Citation   (MLA 8th
Edition)
"The Weight of Zero." Publishers Weekly, 5 Sept. 2016, p. 79. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA463513639&it=r&asid=2b69958622346c7159f4f5027b21a0b7. Accessed 15 May
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A463513639

---

5/15/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
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The Weight of Zero
Jeanne Fredriksen
Booklist.
113.1 (Sept. 1, 2016): p110.
COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text: 
The Weight of Zero. By Karen Fortunati. Sept. 2016.400p. Delacorte, $17.99 (9781101938898); lib. ed., $20.99 (9781101938911); e-book,
$17.99 (9781101938904). Gr. 9-12.
Catherine knows her emotional level will zero out again and that she'll need to kill herself to ease the pain from her depression. Diagnosed with
bipolar disorder, she feels a nagging hopelessness knowing she'll have to live with the illness all her life, and worries she'll never have friends
again. Things gradually begin to improve when a new doctor revises her treatment plan and sends her to an intensive after-school therapy
program. There she bonds with Kristal, a lively African American girl with an eating disorder. At school, a history project teams Catherine with
Michael, a kind and quiet boy who falls for her. Through these new friendships, hope slowly blossoms for Catherine, whose steady, raw, and
smart voice reveals her desire to be well again. Readers will experience small but meaningful victories and epiphanies alongside Catherine and be
drawn to the characters of Kristal and Michael. Fans of Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999) and J. J. Johnson's
Believarexic (2015) will want to read this debut novel.--Jeanne Fredriksen
Source Citation   (MLA 8th
Edition)
Fredriksen, Jeanne. "The Weight of Zero." Booklist, 1 Sept. 2016, p. 110. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA463755262&it=r&asid=98d40adc6a70db75703c9b75cd291f99. Accessed 15 May
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A463755262

Collins, Anastasia M. "The Weight of Zero." The Horn Book Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 2016, p. 72+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA469755371&it=r. Accessed 15 May 2017. "The Weight of Zero." Publishers Weekly, 5 Sept. 2016, p. 79. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA463513639&it=r. Accessed 15 May 2017. Fredriksen, Jeanne. "The Weight of Zero." Booklist, 1 Sept. 2016, p. 110. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do? p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA463755262&it=r. Accessed 15 May 2017.

• Readers in Wonderland
  http://readerswonderland.com/the-weight-of-zero-by-karen-fortunati/
  Word count: 640

  Review: The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati
  October 10, 2016 Alise Review 10 ★★★½

  Review: The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati
  The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati
  (Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository)

  Publisher: Random House Children's Books
  Source: Blog Tour
  Pages: 400
  Release Date: October 11th 2016
  Genres: Depression, Family, General, Social Themes, Suicide, Young Adult Fiction
  three-half-starsthree-half-starsthree-half-starsthree-half-stars
  Seventeen-year-old Cath knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disease, has almost triumphed once, propelling Catherine to her first suicide attempt. With Zero only temporarily restrained by the latest med du jour, time is running out. In an old ballet shoebox, Catherine stockpiles meds, preparing to take her own life when Zero next arrives.

  But Zero’s return is delayed. Unexpected relationships along with the care of a new psychiatrist start to alter Catherine's perception of her diagnosis. But will this be enough? This is a story of loss and grief and hope and how the many shapes of love – maternal, romantic and platonic – impact a young woman’s struggle with mental illness.
  This book may be unsuitable for younger readers due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence. Note that this review itself does not contain any inappropriate material.
  I received this book for free from the source listed above in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
  A Realistic Look At Mental Illness

  Finally, finally, a realistic book about mental illness. THE WEIGHT OF ZERO does not pull any punches when it comes to describing what it is really like to suffer from something like bipolar disorder. This book was special to me because I have severe anxiety. I did online schooling for part of my senior year of high school because I could barely make it out of the house sometimes. THE WEIGHT OF ZERO depicts those feelings and more – the hopelessness, the frustration, the feeling that everything is against you, and more. It doesn’t shy away from the harder to swallow and pushed aside elements of dealing with such an illness nor does the book romanticize it.

  A Main Character You Can Relate To

  Although Catherine could be annoying at times, I thought she was a very honest protagonist that acted authentically in her situation, but that does not excuse her behavior, which the book never did, and I was grateful for that. THE WEIGHT OF ZERO is written from the perspective of Catherine so we intimately get to know her thoughts and feelings. I liked that the book didn’t shy away from the darker things that she was thinking, and I liked how we slowly got to see her gradual improvement. I do wish Catherine would have been a little more personable, because even though I cared about what happened to her and could relate to her, there was still a little bit of disconnect.

  A Great Depiction of Supportive Relationships

  Catherine is surrounded by a unique cast of characters. I absolutely loved her dynamic with her friends and family, and how she slowly learns to trust, lean on, and believe in people again. THE WEIGHT OF ZERO has a really hopeful tone and I like how so many different relationships were explored. The side characters were just as interesting as Catherine, so I wish we got to see more of them, but this is Catherine’s story so it’s understandable.

  THE WEIGHT OF ZERO is definitely worth checking out, especially if you’ve been wanting a mental health book that has a genuine and true to life feel.

• It Starts at Midnight
  https://itstartsatmidnight.com/2016/10/review-weight-zero-karen-fortunati/
  Word count: 1094

  Quoted in Sidelights: If you want a book with accurate representation of mental health that also goes above and beyond in dealing with issues that actual young people face, this is absolutely the book for you,
  REVIEW: THE WEIGHT OF ZERO BY KAREN FORTUNATI
  Review: The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati
  Published by Delacorte Press on October 11th 2016
  Pages: 400
  Format:eARC
  Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley
  Goodreads• Amazon • Book Depository
  Seventeen-year-old Catherine Pulaski knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disorder, almost triumphed once; that was her first suicide attempt.

  Being bipolar is forever. It never goes away. The med du jour might work right now, but Zero will be back for her. It’s only a matter of time.

  And so, in an old ballet-shoe box, Catherine stockpiles medications, preparing to take her own life before Zero can inflict its living death on her again. Before she goes, though, she starts a short bucket list.

  The bucket list, the support of her family, new friends, and a new course of treatment all begin to lessen Catherine’s sense of isolation. The problem is, her plan is already in place, and has been for so long that she might not be able to see a future beyond it.

  This is a story of loss and grief and hope, and how some of the many shapes of love—maternal, romantic, and platonic—affect a young woman’s struggle with mental illness and the stigma of treatment.
  reviews2

  I wish I had read this book before #ShatteringStigmas, because holy crap, I would have featured it. This is one of the most relatable and honest looks into mental health, especially in regards to young people being afflicted with them, that I have ever read. It wasn’t perfect, but it was damn close, and the representation was absolutely on point. There is so much good happening in this book, but I do want to stress that there is a big element of suicidal ideation- this isn’t a spoiler, it’s literally the first pages of the book- but if it is triggering to you, there’s a heads up.

  So, what made The Weight of Zero stand out? Let’s discuss!

  First and foremost, the inner dialogue of Catherine is remarkable. The author absolutely nails it on so many levels. I have so many “notes” on my Kindle of places that this book just understood mental health. I’ll share a few from the earlier chapters, because I was just so impressed:
  “He was an innocent victim. But me? Nothing had happened to me. I was born with a defective mind.”
  “And someone who has never felt it can never understand what the absence of emotion feels like. It is a hopelessness of incomprehensible, unspeakable weight.”
  This was just so, so accurate, and the way I know I have personally felt at times, and can imagine others can relate as well. The inner dialogue was beautifully written and heartbreakingly authentic.

  The side characters were really great, and the relationships were developed and multifaceted. Yes, there is a romance, but it isn’t a situation where the boy “fixes” anything or anyone. Could I have done without it? Possibly. But it didn’t hurt the book, at least. As for the friendships and such, they were incredible. Catherine learns so much about her herself and grows as a person when she realizes how she relates to other people. In a sense, this is the one positive about the romantic relationship, too- the sheer act of being so close to someone forces Catherine to do a lot of self reflection. And the relationship Catherine has with her mother is complex and honest, and very accurate of a mother-daughter relationship that is coming of age. Also, Nonny. If you read the book for no other reason, read it for Nonny, because she will make your life better, I promise.
  The book is super honest and positive about therapy and medication. It goes into how neither is a “miracle worker”; both require a lot of work and time. Yes, there is talk about the pitfalls of medication, and the difficulty of therapy. But, there is also a lot of affirmation that the work is worth it, which is quite possibly the perfect message. Real, yet hopeful.
  There’s a lot of frank discussion about other issues that affect young women, especially young women dealing with mental health issues. For example, birth control is brought up in a very positive way, and it’s discussed how medication can be harmful during pregnancy, hence the need to be extra careful (even if you don’t have a “need” to be so at that very moment). The author also brought up vaginismus, which I had never seen discussed in a young adult book, but I cannot tell you how glad I am to see it. I feel like more women probably go through this than we’ll ever know because it’s not something that is talked about. But it should be, and I applaud the author for bringing light to this situation.
  A side story with badass females in history? Yes please! This is more of a secondary topic, but if I have to have a secondary plot point, feel free to include lessons about diversity and feminism all day long.
  So, you’ll notice that I didn’t mention Catherine during my gushing. She’s kind of the thing (well, that and the swiftness of the relationship) making me leave off that last star. See, she was unlikable which is fine, because that was part of her story and growth. But (and this could be a personal thing) I had some trouble connecting to her completely. Sometimes her selfishness was just too much, even though the author was (in my opinion) pretty clear about not using her mental illness as an excuse for her behavior, which I also really appreciated.

  Bottom Line: This was a clear win for me. If you want a book with accurate representation of mental health that also goes above and beyond in dealing with issues that actual young people face, this is absolutely the book for you, minor hiccups aside.

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