Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau

Set in the 1970s, the story follows a fourteen-year-old girl who takes a summer job as a nanny for a progressive family in Baltimore. Raised in a conservative household, she finds herself immersed in a world of rock and roll, therapy sessions, and unconventional parenting. As she navigates this new environment, she experiences a profound personal transformation, discovering her own identity and challenging the boundaries of her sheltered upbringing. The narrative beautifully captures the essence of adolescence, self-discovery, and the cultural shifts of the era.