Everyone Makes Mistakes: Living With My Daddy In Jail

by Madison Strempek

Take a heartwarming journey with 10-year-old author, Madison Strempek, as she candidly depicts her life experience of living with her father in jail. Through her eyes, you will live the heartbreak of her life changing news, discover how she survives with her embarrassing secret, and ultimately finds resolution and strength in understanding everyone makes mistakes. It’s truly a story of perseverance, forgiveness, and love. She skillfully helps the reader maneuver through difficult times by providing opportunities to reflect with blank pages of doodle space, letter writing ideas, and helping the readers find their inner champion. Madison’s personal story is not only valuable for kids living with a parent in jail, but also brings great insight to parents, doctors, social workers, psychologists, judges, lawyers, inmates, law enforcement, friends, and family that support children with incarcerated parents.

60 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2015

Reviews

[Emilie Knudsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very random read for me, but it’s good to see kids forging their own path and lending their voices to difficult issues in order to support other kids going through similar situations. Kudos.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy writes about how her Dad going to jail has impacted her life, how it makes her feel at school and how she has managed to cope with his absence, as well as the stigma of having a family member in jail. I love it for its childhood honesty, innocence and lack of judgement. It is a daugher's testament to her Dad that no matter where he is, and no matter what he has done, she will always love him. The story about the support from her mother, Robyn, also shines through, encouraging the contact between Maddy and her Dad, despite Maddy's parents being divorced. The book includes a few pages where Maddy asks the reader certain questions to help alleviate the suffering of children in similar circumstances. We could all learn something by reading this book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madison was 9 when her father went to jail. Coping wasn't easy, and she'd wished she'd had a book to help her. At age 10, she wrote this book--more like a booklet as it is 48 pages and had several blank areas for the reader to write reflections. She mainly emphasizes that you are not responsible for the mistake, everyone makes mistakes, and that you should feel free to share the experience by talking about it with relatives, friends and counselors and teachers. (I learned of this book because our local news station interviewed her.)

[Dominique Brightmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison created a nice, quick read that tells her story. This book echoed the importance of caring for others and being around people that push you to be better. Get this book for your kids and others looking for a short inspirational read.