The lightness of hands

the long version

A quirky and heartfelt coming-of-age story about a teen girl with bipolar II who signs her failed magician father up to perform his legendary but failed illusion on live TV in order to make enough money to pay for the medications they need. Ellie Dante is desperate for something in her life to finally go right. Her father was a famous stage magician until he attempted an epic illusion on live TV and failed. Now she lives with her dad in a beat-up RV, attending high school online and performing with him at birthday parties and bars across the Midwest to make ends meet. When their insurance lapses, it leaves Dad's heart condition unchecked and forcing Ellie to battle her bipolar II disorder without medication. Then a famous magic duo offer fifteen thousand dollars and a shot at redemption: they want her father to perform the illusion that wrecked his career-- on their live TV special. -- adapted from jacket