Plot Overview: My Beautiful Failure by Janet Ruth Young is about a teenage boy named Billy. Billy’s Father has depression and Billy has help him through it. Now his father is feeling better and starts an art project and he encourages Billy to find a purpose for himself too. Billy goes finds The Listeners where they listen to people who just want to talk, are suicidal, or are depressed. Billy meets a girl named Jenny who is depressed, they talk for awhile on the phone and their relationship progresses from there.

Critique: The most compelling aspect is how Billy helps others by just talking to them. It makes it seem like he has this great ability but it really is all about the power of listening. I was not disappointed by this book.

Star Rating: 4/5