Navigating high school is hard enough, especially in a small town where everyone knows everything, so when Deet’s dad is arrested for drug possession, his world is suddenly turned upside down. Suddenly his mom has to find a job, Deet has to take care of his younger sisters, and going to school is humiliating but visiting his dad in jail is worse. Deet’s one outlet for venting his feelings is an ongoing writing assignment given by his English teacher Mr. Hodges. Through his essays, Deet begins to sort through his feelings and, with Mr. Hodges help, he begins to see that even bad things can have good consequences. Told in Deet’s voice, this coming of age story is a must read for any teen struggling to cope with life’s obstacles.