The Thin Door by Rho Weber Mack is about a fifteen-year-old girl named Ramie, a high school sophomore trying to handle a lot at once. School is hard because of cliques, bullying, and a former close friendship that becomes strained. She has to look after her little brother, Alex, at home since her mom can’t be counted on and her dad is absent. Then she discovers a mysterious doorway called the Thin Door that leads to different worlds. In those worlds, she explores Renaissance Italy, tropical beaches, and thrilling sports events that feel exciting. These trips help her reflect on the different choices in her life and her relationships. She uses these escapes to figure out who she really is and what matters to her. The story moves between her challenging life experiences and the worlds she imagines, and how those events shape her view of herself and others. She has to balance both worlds and make sense of her feelings and decisions. Will Ramie ever find a way to manage her real life and the worlds she imagines?

In The Thin Door, Rho Weber Mack blends storytelling with fun and interactive moments. Ramie grows as a person through all her struggles at home and school. The book contains journaling and drawing activities, making you feel like you're part of the story. These moments help readers connect with Ramie’s struggles. The story looks at identity, social pressure, and imagination in a fascinating and unique way. The real world and the imagined ones combine to show how Ramie changes and begins seeing her life differently. Teens and young adults who enjoy realistic stories with fantasy blended into them will love this book. I found it easy to follow, captivating, and it held my attention all the way through, without getting mundane at any point. Very highly recommended.

For fifteen-year-old Ramie Wirth, life was anything but easy. At home, she could best describe her family as a family of goners. Her mother was away all the time, either working her two jobs or preoccupied with her dating life. Her rebellious younger brother, Alex, who was now her responsibility, seemed to prefer the streets to home. And as for her father, it had been six years since she last saw him. At school, bullies and rules threaten to choke any sanity or strength left to see her through her sophomore year. To survive, Ramie has a habit of slipping away to another reality, a place where all her wishes come true. But as her life grows more chaotic, she realizes she must make a tough choice and might need the help of a childhood friend, whom she already betrayed at school. Find out how it all goes down in The Thin Door by Rho Weber Mack.

If you’re looking for a young adult coming-of-age novel flavored with drama, suspense, gritty realism, and a touch of fantasy, The Thin Door by Rho Weber Mack is a must-read. The raw prose relies on witty, introspective commentary and emotional, reflective conversations of Ramie’s chaotic and morbidly hilarious world. Mack brilliantly exposes the struggles of kids from broken homes and the brutal social landscape of high school. From the cold household of a neglectful, emotionally unavailable mother to the socially competitive, unfriendly environment behind high school gates, and the danger of drugs and harm on the streets, everything is vividly captured. Both Ramie and Alex are enthralling characters that most kids will find relatable. While their circumstances are heartbreaking, I could not help but laugh at the way their naivety and free-spirited nature had them learning life lessons the hard way. Mack also accompanies the narrative with sketches and interactive features such as journal prompts and free speech bubbles, which kids will find fun. I loved this read.

The Thin Door by Rho Weber Mack is a young adult novel that follows Ramie, a sophomore navigating the challenges of adolescence while yearning for a life beyond her difficult circumstances. Set in an ordinary town, Ramie’s story intertwines two distinct narratives: her real-world struggles with family, school, and societal expectations, and her escape into a fantastical realm through the mysterious Thin Door. As Ramie grapples with her identity, she encounters allies, confronts adversaries, and discovers the power of her own voice. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the courage to challenge the narratives imposed by others. Through interactive elements such as sketch-and-journal prompts and the Curious Card, readers are invited to engage more deeply with the story.

Rho Weber Mack’s writing is imaginative, blending the raw realities of Ramie’s life with the dreamlike allure of the Thin Door’s alternate world. The pacing is dynamic, with moments of introspection balanced by bursts of action and tension. The narrative offers readers a chance to explore both the protagonist’s inner struggles and the external challenges she faces. The book’s interactive features, such as graphic story breaks and free speech bubbles, add a creative dimension. Readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories with experimental structure, fairytale echoes, and a strong interior perspective will find this book especially engaging. Fans of Neil Gaiman will find similarities in The Thin Door’s imaginative and otherworldly storytelling, and readers of Madeleine L’Engle will enjoy the introspection and elements of mystery. It's a unique read with a lot of design work to look at as well.

Rho Weber Mack's The Thin Door follows the story of high school sophomore Ramie Wirth. Ramie has had a tough childhood. If it isn't her neglectful parents, Ramie also has to navigate different versions of her life that she constantly finds herself in through the Thin Door. In her ideal life, Ramie is in a relationship with the extreme-sports champion Xavier. However, in her normal life, she is forced to betray one of her oldest friends, Elana, to be accepted by the school's popular clique. Ramie's normal life becomes increasingly chaotic after her younger brother, Alex, goes missing. Now, more than ever, she needs Elana back in her life. Will she be able to stave off her "Echo Chamber"?

The Thin Door is a heartfelt coming-of-age tale with plenty of social commentary. This book is for young adults and older readers alike. Author Rho Weber Mack has crafted a captivating narrative that tugs at your heartstrings in unexpected ways. Ramie's journey of self-discovery is one of trauma, recovery, and redemption. Mack does a wonderful job of depicting mental health issues among teens navigating the unique pressures and societal expectations of life in school and at home. Ramie is a fascinating protagonist. She is not always easy to root for, but she is immensely relatable. You sympathize with her plight and want her to make amends for her behavior with Elana. Between the chapters, the book offers reflective questions about the narrative, and there's space for drawing illustrations. All in all, it's an engrossing coming-of-age story.