Everything I Was

“My walls were stripped, and all that was left in the room was a pile of boxes and my mattress propped against the wall.” So begins Irene's journey from an Upper West Side penthouse to—well, she's not entirely sure where. Irene's father, a corporate VP, is “downsized” when his company merges with another. When he can't find work, her family's lifestyle—and her mother's spending—quickly catches up with them. Eventually, they're forced to move in with Irene's grandfather in the family farmhouse upstate. But what begins as the most disastrous summer of Irene's life takes a surprising turn, and Irene must decide what she wants for herself after losing everything she was. My Walls Were Stripped, And All That Was Left In The Room Was A Pile Of Boxes And My Mattress Propped Against The Wall. So Begins Irene S Journey From An Upper West Side Penthouse To Well, She S Not Entirely Sure Where. Irene S Father, A Corporate Vp, Is Downsized When His Company Merges With Another. When He Can T Find Work, Her Family S Lifestyle And Her Mother S Spending Quickly Catches Up With Them. Eventually, They Re Forced To Move In With Irene S Grandfather In The Family Farmhouse Upstate. But What Begins As The Most Disastrous Summer Of Irene S Life Takes A Surprising Turn, And Irene Must Decide What She Wants For Herself After Losing Everything She Was. Thirteen-year-old Irene helps in her grandfather's plant nursery, makes new friends, and begins to learn what she really wants and needs after her father, having lost his job as an investment banker, moves her and her mother to his father's farmhouse upstate