LAURIE SANDELL
This graphic memoir deals with a completely dysfunctional family and one daughter’s search for truth, understanding and meaning. Laurie grew up worshiping her father. The dad was a great storyteller. They were all about what a great warrior and savior he was. Saving General Westmoreland in Vietnam and befriending the Pope were among his anecdotes. But as she grew older she realized that these great narratives could not all be true. Then she found out that he had photocopied her diary. When she applied for a credit card she was refused by because other cards in her name had been in arrears.
Heal was a long and painful process. An interesting theme to find in graphic format.
I enjoy graphic books for their brief and concise story telling.
Tags:
crime,
dysfuntional family,
fiction,
Graphic Novel,
healing,
physical abuse,
power,
siblings,
substance abuse
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CHRIS RUTCHER
Concept: 18 year old boy is given less than a year to live. Does he spend it puking sick taking chemo and radiation? Not Ben Wolf. He threatened his doctor with legal action if he broke confidentiality. Ben is 18 and in the last year of high school. He wants to go out in a blaze of glory. He joined the foot ball team that his younger but bigger brother quarterbacks. And does score some winning touchdowns. The first person he tells is the coach a family friend. The book reaches far beyond the main theme into the need for education reform, sexual abuse of children from the point of view of an abuser as well as a young person who was abused, racism and more.
DEADLINES raises many questions. Well worth the read for youth and adults. Great start for discussions.
Tags:
dysfuntional family,
educational reform,
football,
high school,
insanity,
mental illness,
physical abuse,
sexual abuse,
siblings,
teenager
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NANCY WERLIN
SURVIVAL is the story of three siblings and their trials to survive their crazily abusive mother Nikki. The father of Matt and Callie, the two oldest, is unable to stand up against his ex-wife and protect his children. Matt dreams for a superhero who will take them out of their situation. The story is a letter written to Emmy the baby of the family. He wants her to know the true story so that if Nikki turns up again she will know to stay clear.
It is a well written and well thought out novel for young adults. A touching read that won’t be forgotten easily.
Tags:
dysfuntional family,
insanity,
saviour,
siblings,
superhero
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