Just a Girl in the Whirl

"A well-crafted and resonant novel about an overburdened teenage girl's journey toward self-realization."- Kirkus Reviews

Seventeen-year-old Lauren is a closet poet trying to keep her messy family together. She juggles responsibility for her two younger sisters and her bipolar mother. When her allegedly now sober father wants back into their lives to reconnect, everything spins out of control and Lauren's writing is her only escape.

Just a Girl in the Whirl is about family, forgiveness and being bold enough to create your own life, your own way.

Praise for Just a Girl in the Whirl

A beautifully crafted coming-of-age story that captures the challenges of adolescence amidst the responsibilities of surrogate parenthood.-Mary Lanni

Annie Wood pens an insightful coming-of-age novel in Just a Girl in the Whirl. She takes the reader into the heart and soul of living in a dysfunctional family. Annie Wood's Just a Girl in the Whirl is an inspirational, touching story of hope. -Cheryl E. Rodriguez for Readers' Favorite


Annie Wood's novel is beautifully written and her exploration of family dynamics is exceptional. The ambiance at home and the relationships between Lauren and her siblings and mother are written with unusual clarity. This is a fast-paced, emotionally rich, and captivating story. -Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite


This is a beautifully written story with a protagonist that I just adored. Just a Girl in the Whirl is well-paced, engaging, and utterly satisfying. Annie Wood writes in excellent prose and creates characters that make for great companions. -Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite


Just a Girl in the Whirl is entertaining and quirky, it is littered with insights about life. Annie Wood is a great storyteller who creates unforgettable characters, a world that readers can relate to, and a conflict that moves the story steadily forward and in unpredictable directions. It is real and feels true. -Grace Masso for Readers' Favorite