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TL;DR: Marin, a college freshman, stays on campus alone over winter break to avoid going home. She has cut ties with her friends since her grandfather's death, and when her best friend Mabel visits, Marin must face what she has been avoiding.
Table of Contents
We Are Okay at a Glance
| Author | Nina LaCour |
| First published | 2017 |
| Type | Young adult contemporary |
| Best for | readers who want a quiet, emotional story about grief |
We Are Okay is a novel by Nina LaCour, first published in 2017. The novel won the Michael L. Printz Award. It is quiet and moving. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
Content note: Contains grief and depression.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Alone on campus
Marin is in a nearly empty dorm.
California
Flashbacks show Marin's life in San Francisco with her grandfather.
A secret
She left suddenly after his death.
Mabel
Mabel arrives, hoping to reconnect.
Confrontation
They talk about what happened.
Healing
The ending is hopeful.
The Summary at a Glance
| Part | In one line |
|---|---|
| Alone on campus | Marin is in a nearly empty dorm. |
| California | Flashbacks show Marin's life in San Francisco with her grandfather. |
| A secret | She left suddenly after his death. |
| Mabel | Mabel arrives, hoping to reconnect. |
| Confrontation | They talk about what happened. |
| Healing | The ending is hopeful. |
5 Key Takeaways
- Grief can isolate.
- Friendship can survive silence.
- Facing the past takes courage.
- Love is also in small acts.
- Healing takes time.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The pace is slow.
- The setting is winter.
- The book is short.
Who Should Read We Are Okay?
Read it if you like quiet YA. It is sad.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of We Are Okay:
- Which character did you understand best, and what did the author do to make you feel that way?
- Which scene would you change, and what would that do to the ending?
- What does the book say about its main theme that you agree or disagree with?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour (2017)
- Type: Young adult contemporary
- Best for: readers who want a quiet, emotional story about grief
- Main idea in one line: Grief can isolate.
Reading Time and Format
Novels differ a lot in length and pace, so check the page count of your edition before you start. If you prefer to listen, many public libraries lend audiobooks through free apps, and a narrated edition can suit a long novel well. Whichever format you choose, a library copy is a low-cost way to try the book before you buy, and used or digital editions are often cheaper than new print copies.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether We Are Okay is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A simple way to get the most from it: first read the TL;DR and the takeaways to decide if the book fits your interests, then read the part-by-part section for the structure, and finally write down one idea you want to remember or one question you want answered by the full text.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of We Are Okay, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you plan to read it, set aside a few evenings and read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a novel work or not. If you are still unsure, read a free sample or the first chapter, because the opening pages usually show whether the voice and subject suit you. Reviews from readers with tastes like yours can help too, but your own reaction to a few pages is the best test.
Check price of We Are Okay on Amazon
What to Read Next
- Hold Still by Nina LaCour: LaCour's first novel
- Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour: a story of love and film
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: a love story
Related: 15 Books Like We Are Okay You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
Did We Are Okay win an award?
Yes, the Printz Award.
Is it sad?
Yes.
What age is it for?
Roughly 14 and up.
Is We Are Okay worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a quiet, emotional story about grief. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading We Are Okay?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.
What are the main themes of We Are Okay?
We Are Okay returns again and again to a few big ideas. Grief can isolate. Friendship can survive silence. Facing the past takes courage. Love is also in small acts. Healing takes time. The part-by-part summary above shows where each of these ideas appears in the story.