Perfect for fans of Kathryn Erskine’s Mockingbird and Holly Goldberg Sloan’s Counting by 7s, this is a stunningly unique and poignant story of one girl’s strength and courage as she decides who she is and what she will believe in.

Behind the white-washed walls of the Arizona compound, life was simple. Follow the rules, "live in the light," and all would be well. Zylynn was excited to turn thirteen and begin the work of bringing others into the light, to save them from the liars and the darkness of the outside world. But when she is taken away by a man who claims to be her father, Zylynn is confused, and desperate to return to her home.

Zylynn resists her new life—until she finds small comforts, like shampoo, the color pink, and strawberries. But as her thirteenth birthday approaches, Zylynn must make a difficult decision—to stay here with the enemy, or find her way back to the light. And neither may be what they seem.

• Escaping a Cult: Zylynn knows the Outside is full of liars. But when a man claiming to be her father takes her away, she discovers that home might be the most dangerous place of all.
• Family Secrets: The man says he’s her father, but Father Prophet is the only father she’s ever known. Uncovering the truth means choosing between the family she has and the one she’s just discovered.
• Psychological Survival: For Zylynn, survival isn’t just about getting out—it’s about untangling years of brainwashing and discovering what she truly believes before her thirteenth birthday changes everything.
• Finding Your Voice: From a world of strict rules and silence, Zylynn slowly discovers small joys like strawberries and shampoo, learning to think for herself for the very first time.