Forever is Now by Mariama J. Lockington (review)

After Sadie witnesses an incident of police brutality, her generalized anxiety disorder increases to a point where she is unable to even leave the house. Other than her outlets of boxing and writing poetry, Sadie finds solace in therapy, where she’s diagnosed with agoraphobia. Journaling via livestreaming on an activist version of TikTok called Ruckus also helps, and she’s able to find other Black kids who struggle with their mental health. Still, Sadie continues to feel like she’s letting down those she loves, and as the Oakland, California, community organizes protests on behalf of the woman who was arrested, Sadie yearns to contribute, if only she can bring herself to do so. This novel-in-verse depicts a range of relevant struggles for Black girls: Sadie is painfully aware of a world that is both physically dying and politically corrupt, and she’s furious that her generation is expected to save it even as the threat of racial violence means she could be the next person whose name gets chanted at protests. Notably, Lockington equally emphasizes Sadie’s cherishing of sources of Black joy, especially through Sadie’s best friend and a cute boy who moves in across the street. Sadie is a character readers will root for as she overcomes her first heartbreak, advances with her therapy enough to attend the protest march, and finds her voice: “I am a sad, anxious Black girl./ And all I have are these fists,/ telling a fury tale.” An author’s note explains that Black women’s mental health often goes untreated, and it also provides a list of resources for Black and queer kids to find therapy and adults who can help.