Books by other authors!

“Bird” by Zetta Elliott, Illustrated by Shadra Strickland. A sensitively told story about an African American boy whose older brother has substance use disorder. His love of drawing and relationships with others in his family help him to cope with his sense of loss.

“Someone I love Died from a Drug Overdose” by Melody Ray. Accidental substance overdoses continue to rise across our country, leaving families at a loss as to how to tell and assist the children that are grieving. This story is an excellent tool for parents and caregivers. Includes a workbook, definitions, some facts and a note to the adult reading the story.

Some of my other books!

“The Last Bed” is my poetry collection which addresses a range of experiences families may have while navigating substance use disorder.

Pre-sale now available at a discounted rate through Finishing Line Press.

“Lee Varon writes moving poetic cadences pulsing with heart beats of desperation and hope through powerful imagery and reflection of what The Last Bed personifies to a parent of a child struggling with addiction.”
–Maryanne Frangules, Executive Director, Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR)

“In The Last Bed, Lee Varon chronicles a mother’s journey of hope and loss in response to her son’s addiction, a story all too familiar but also too often untold or ignored. Varon is especially skilled at creating the tetter-totter of hope and despair ridden by those whose beloveds are addicted.  Driving her son to detox, she sees a rainbow over a junkyard and asks “What’s this rainbow for?/God blessing your next try or//God bringing you home?”  In another poem, she tells us “The addict’s mother is hidden/in the fine print.” Varon brings both the addict’s mother and the addict out of the fine print and the impersonal headlines, honoring them with piercing honesty and grace.”
–Kathleen Aguero, author of World Happiness Index

“Being aware myself of the struggles of recovery, and the miracles within, Lee Varon gives us a no-hold-barred view of it—from Narcan, to rehab, to holidays gained, and days ruined and to God existing within them. This book is full of heartbreak and soaring emotion, like riding a roller coaster, overwhelmed by the G-forces, yet fearing for your life.”
–Timothy Gager, author of Joe the Salamander, and 2020 Poems