Coming soon: “Sophia in the Shadow,” a middle-grade reader, to be published by Červená Barva Press in 2027!
Fourteen-year-old Sophia is elated to be graduating from middle school and can’t wait to get to camp in Maine. This year she’ll be part of an elite group of campers who will be entrusted with working on a project to protect the dwindling loon population. Sophia also longs to get away from her family – especially her older sister, Izzy, a star athlete.
When Izzy shows up late to Sophia’s graduation, clearly having relapsed with pills prescribed to her after a sports injury, things begin to unravel. Thinking she would have a blissful summer on her own, Sophia is furious when her mom decides the only way to protect Izzy is to send her to summer camp, the one place Sophia thought she could be away from the crises that often arise when living with a loved one with active substance use disorder (SUD).
Sophia works to carve out her own niche at camp despite her frustration with being tasked with babysitting her older sister and the ease with which Izzy steals the spotlight. Sophia focuses her energy on the Conservation Club and loon project, determined to have a good time at camp and do her best to smoothly navigate the regular ups and downs of sharing a cabin, keeping in touch with her best friend from home, and feeling overshadowed by her sister.
“Sophia in the Shadow” is a book that highlights the emotional roller coaster of dealing with a sibling with SUD while emphasizing how a young person can develop resilience, focus on their passion, and live a joyful and enriching life whether or not their loved one is actively using drugs and/or alcohol or not.
A Kids Book About Overdose
You can get an ebook of A Kids Book About Overdose at Amazon.
A Kids Book About Overdose explains to children and their caregivers how a drug overdose can happen, what it may look like, and what they can do if someone they know experiences an overdose.
I partnered with “A Kids Book About Co.” to write this book - their series is meant to help children tackle difficult topics in an age-appropriate manner. More information on their website.
If anyone would like a copy of my book but cannot afford it, please contact me and include an address to mail it to.
“My Brother is Not a Monster: A Story of Addiction and Recovery”
My first children’s book , “My Brother is Not a Monster: A Story of Addiction and Recovery is available to purchase from High Five Books or Amazon.
My Brother Is Not a Monster: A Story of Addiction and Recovery
This book is for children and their parents/caregivers, as well as any adult working to support a young person with a family member dealing with substance use disorder.
It brings to life the story of a young girl, Sophia, whose older brother, Joey, is using drugs. The book includes tips for parents and children, as well as resources.