0
    • Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
    0 0
    Download high-resolution image

    Everything's Not Lost

    Author Frederick Joseph
    Ebook
    Penguin Young Readers | Viking Books for Young Readers
    On sale Oct 20, 2026 | 384 Pages | 9798217040612
    Grade 9 & Up
    Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

    See Additional Formats
    A heart-wrenching yet vividly hopeful novel about a Black girl's struggle to find the quiet beauty in life and friendship amid the chaos of grief and mental illness by New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestselling author Frederick Joseph.

    "Frederick is such a grounded and beautiful voice of not just this moment but all the moments. Everything's Not Lost cements him firmly as a much needed and stunning voice inside the world of YA literature." —Jacqueline Woodson, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award

    As a sixteen-year-old Black girl with bipolar disorder, Ella Washington has plenty stacked against her. But following her beloved sister’s unexpected death and its turbulent aftermath, Ella is desperate to find any sense of normalcy. Worse still, someone at her school is determined to drive her deeper into despair.

    It feels nearly impossible to find her way out of the fog of grief and loneliness, but through her love of art, some unlikely new friends, and the memory of her sister, Ella slowly learns that the pursuit of happiness and forgiveness is an endeavor that is more than worthwhile.

    Told in Frederick Joseph’s perceptive and lyrical voice, Everything’s Not Lost is an achingly relatable story about finding points of light even in the darkest of times.
    Frederick Joseph is a three-time New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. His books span both the adult and children's book spaces, including The Black Friend; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Courage to Dream; Patriarchy Blues; and, most recently, This Thing of Ours. His work has been well celebrated and recognized in many ways: being named an Amazon Editors' pick, notable by the International Literacy Association, being selected as Best Children's Book of the Year by Bank Street College, being a Booklist Editors' Choice, and many, many more. He lives with his wife, Porsche, and his dog, Stokely, in New York City.

    You can visit him online at FrederickJoseph.com or follow him on Instagram @FredTJoseph. View titles by Frederick Joseph
    "Frederick is such a grounded and beautiful voice of not just this moment but all the moments. Everything's Not Lost cements him firmly as a much needed and stunning voice inside the world of YA literature." —Jacqueline Woodson, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award

    "Everything's Not Lost is a rewarding journey, a story that approaches perceptions and intersections of mental health and Blackness with truth and unwavering compassion. Frederick Joseph's voice is raw, powerful, and utterly necessary." —Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of The Blackwoods

    "In Everything’s Not Lost, Joseph explores mental health issues and grief with both unflinching honesty and the utmost care. His ability to see young people as fully human coupled with his breathtaking prose makes it a novel that shines a necessary light in the dark." —Hannah V. Sawyerr, National Book Award & Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist

    About

    A heart-wrenching yet vividly hopeful novel about a Black girl's struggle to find the quiet beauty in life and friendship amid the chaos of grief and mental illness by New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestselling author Frederick Joseph.

    "Frederick is such a grounded and beautiful voice of not just this moment but all the moments. Everything's Not Lost cements him firmly as a much needed and stunning voice inside the world of YA literature." —Jacqueline Woodson, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award

    As a sixteen-year-old Black girl with bipolar disorder, Ella Washington has plenty stacked against her. But following her beloved sister’s unexpected death and its turbulent aftermath, Ella is desperate to find any sense of normalcy. Worse still, someone at her school is determined to drive her deeper into despair.

    It feels nearly impossible to find her way out of the fog of grief and loneliness, but through her love of art, some unlikely new friends, and the memory of her sister, Ella slowly learns that the pursuit of happiness and forgiveness is an endeavor that is more than worthwhile.

    Told in Frederick Joseph’s perceptive and lyrical voice, Everything’s Not Lost is an achingly relatable story about finding points of light even in the darkest of times.

    Author

    Frederick Joseph is a three-time New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. His books span both the adult and children's book spaces, including The Black Friend; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Courage to Dream; Patriarchy Blues; and, most recently, This Thing of Ours. His work has been well celebrated and recognized in many ways: being named an Amazon Editors' pick, notable by the International Literacy Association, being selected as Best Children's Book of the Year by Bank Street College, being a Booklist Editors' Choice, and many, many more. He lives with his wife, Porsche, and his dog, Stokely, in New York City.

    You can visit him online at FrederickJoseph.com or follow him on Instagram @FredTJoseph. View titles by Frederick Joseph

    Praise

    "Frederick is such a grounded and beautiful voice of not just this moment but all the moments. Everything's Not Lost cements him firmly as a much needed and stunning voice inside the world of YA literature." —Jacqueline Woodson, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award

    "Everything's Not Lost is a rewarding journey, a story that approaches perceptions and intersections of mental health and Blackness with truth and unwavering compassion. Frederick Joseph's voice is raw, powerful, and utterly necessary." —Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of The Blackwoods

    "In Everything’s Not Lost, Joseph explores mental health issues and grief with both unflinching honesty and the utmost care. His ability to see young people as fully human coupled with his breathtaking prose makes it a novel that shines a necessary light in the dark." —Hannah V. Sawyerr, National Book Award & Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist

    Additional formats

    Other Books by this Author

    Related Articles

    Mental Health Awareness Month Resources
    General

    Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

    May is Mental Health Awareness Month and educators are increasingly aware that integrating social-emotional learning into the curriculum is critical if we want students to succeed both in and out of the classroom. Download the thematic educator guides on Teaching About Anxiety and Mindfulness and Teaching About Student Wellness. Explore our specially curated collections on

    Read more

    Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

    General
    Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Book Covers: 9780593731703 MY DOCUMENTS (RH) 9780593804872 A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF (Knopf) 9780593298381 WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM (Penguin) 9781603095747 IT RHYMES WITH TAKEI (IDW)
    History Asian American Sociology Literature

    Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

    Each May, we honor the stories, histories, and cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Below is a selection of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators to share with your students this month and throughout the year. AANHPI Creators – Middle School titles AANHPI Creators – High School titles .

    Read more

    Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

    History Asian American Sociology Literature

    Penguin Random House Secondary Education

    © 2026 Penguin Random House

    Back to Top
    0
    Wish List (0)