My Name Is Erin, and My Mom’s an Addict

by Amy Voltaire

Raised by her grandparents when her mother chooses drugs over her daughter, Erin knows she isn’t like other kids. Then her world is shaken a second time by her mother’s reappearance.

245 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2019

About the author

When I wrote my biography for my book, and then again for marketing, I had to write it in third person. I didn't like that. It felt weird writing about myself from the point of view of someone else. So I decided that here, I'd tell you about me the way I want to. Here it goes: I've lived in the same town for half a century. I am an accountant (yeah, I know...totally NOT writer-ish, but it pays the bills). I love all things that are British, sparkly, or magical. I don't like to travel and am happiest when I'm at home with my dog. I'm pathetic when it comes to fashion. I can't walk in heels, and I LOVE dresses...on other people. I was 48 when I started writing my first book (you're never too old), and I'm working on book 2 now.

Reviews

[Melanie Brinkman]

No one is promised an easy life.

I won a copy of My Name is Erin, and My Mom's an Addict on an Instagram giveaway, hosted by YAbookscentral and the author, Amy Voltaire. A huge thank you to them!

Trigger warning for talk of drug use.

Raised by her grandparents when her mother chooses drugs over her daughter, Erin knows she isn't like other kids. That her world is shaken a second time by her mother's reappearance.

This was such a lovely story. It really moved me.

Erin was such a great character. You felt not only empathy for her, but so easily felt with her. She had a very distinct voice. She was truly wonderfully depicted. Erin grew up right on the page. Her character arc really impressed me. She was flawed, but she also made good choices. When she made mistakes, she didn't just sulk and stay the same. She always made the effort to try to learn from and fix her mistakes. I really loved that because it's not often a trait we see in novels and there definitely needs to be more of that. She goes through some really difficult situations and she was such a strong young woman.

I loved getting to watch her go through some of her first times in life. She was always so independent yet very respectful.

This book is full of a variety of different relationships. The very wholesome relationship with Gram and Pap made my heart sing. They were strong, steady force. They were the reliability that Erin needed.

The delicate relationship between Erin and her mom really put them both through their paces. When her mother came back into her life, it was a learning experience for them both.

Grace was the best friend dreams are made of. She had her own story, and her friendship with Erin was beautiful. She never pressured Erin, but always was supportive.

Amy Voltaire made me love her characters almost as instantaneously as they were introduced. There was a character that was introduced near the and I ended up really loving her. I was instantly drawn to her story.

The ending was perfect in my eyes. It was tied up but also left open. To me that is the best sort of ending because it's the most realistic. It was completely satisfying.

This was a heartwarming and hard-hitting book. I'm shocked this was a debut because the writing was flawless. It had a very clear and clean style.

I have so much respect for Amy Voltaire, especially after reading the authors note/ bio and learning that this hit very close to home for her. I can only imagine how both emotionally taxing and freeing writing My Name is Erin, and My Mom's an Addict could have been. The vulnerability and strength shown through Erin is astounding.

We talk about addiction a lot, but what we don't talk about enough is all the people that are affected by addiction. It isn't just the people that do drugs themselves, it's also their families, especially their children. The way that the story handles talking about that was elegant and poignant. People need to read this book. Not only is it a great story, but it could also be a great conversation starter.

My Name is Erin, and My Mom's an Addict is a heartwarming and important debut. It certainly won't be the last of Amy Voltaire's work that I read.

[Virginia]

Addiction and the stigma that surrounds it is a growing epidemic in this country. An epidemic that is rarely talked about, and more frequently brushed under the rug. I am willing to bet that if people started opening up, started to have the tough conversations surrounding addiction, we would realize that it is not as isolating as we feel, and that addiction does not discriminate and affects all races, sexes, ethnicity, and socioeconomic groups. While this novel does tell the tale of Erin, a young girl who struggles with creating an identity separate from her mother who suffers from drug addiction, it has the overpowering message that screams: You are not alone.

I loved this book. I love any novel that also sheds light on important topic. This is the story of Erin, a young girl raised by her grandparents after her mother abandons her. Erin's mother is a drug addict, and what unfolds throughout the pages of this novel are the heartbreak and heartache/longing that come when you love someone who struggles with addiction. Amy Voltaire managed to capture youthful innocence brilliantly, by allowing Erin's new friendships and relationships to unfold, while also not sugar-coating the pain that comes with having a loved one who suffers with addiction. This book is an easy read, one where your heart will connect undoubtedly with Erin and the rest of her trio, as well as showcase the love between grandparents and grandchildren that surpasses all other love. I think this book is a wonderful tool for families to use, particularly with late middle school/high-school age group, to discuss addiction and its implications not just on the addict, but everyone else who loves the addict. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have read this book, and while I am appreciative of the free copy all opinions are my own.

[Karen]

*I received a copy of this book from the author via YA Book Central.

Read this review and more on my blog.The Book Return Blog

Erin Whitaker's father is dead and her mother is a drug addict. When she is very young her mother leaves her alone on a doorstep and doesn't return. She is taken in by her grandparents who raise her.
This book gives an inside look at how the young kids of addicts have to constantly adjust their lives and expectations. I thought this was a realist portrayal of the life of an addict's child. Interesting enough the most difficult part for me to believe is that both her grandparents were former clowns. I would have liked more of a back story on that aspect.
The character of Erin was great. Although she did well in school and made friends, she was not perfect and her mother's behavior really effected her.
A few things that left me wanting more is I would have liked more info on what Erin's life had been with her mother. Flashbacks would have been a perfect way of doing this. This would have given us a better idea about what had gone through. Another thing I noticed was almost every single person in the story was an only child-her, her mom, her dad, her friend, her friend's father ( the only exception being Erin's boyfriend). I know this is common in YA fiction ( John Green does it in every one of his books) but I really like it when family dynamics are realistic and reflect society. I think Erin having an Uncle or Aunt would have added to the storyline.
I really enjoyed my 'My Name is Erin...' This would be a great novel for teens or preteens dealing with a parent with an addiction.

[Rebecca Henry]

Amy Voltaire did an excellent job depicting the devastating effects an addict has on a child. This story is an eye opener in understanding an addicts experience and the pain it causes to everyone involved in their life. This is a fantastic read that grasps the emotional situations addicts portray on the world around them.

[Kayla Krantz]

At five years old, Erin was given a bitter dose of reality when her mother disappeared, leaving her to fend for herself. Luckily, her father’s grandparents stepped in to take her in. Coming to terms with what her mother did hasn’t been easy. Neither has understanding her reason for leaving. Erin doesn’t quite get why her drug-addicted mother made the choices she did, but as she grows up and finds her place in the world, she finds herself trying to find answers and make herself a better person in the process.

This is a book that will definitely send you on a rollercoaster of laughs, ugly cries, and suspense. I really liked Erin, and I found that her character was relatable. She had a lot of faults, but I loved that throughout the story, she realized those faults and devouted time to working on them, trying to be the best version of herself that she could be. Her flipflopping emotions about her mother were also very realistic to me.

Another aspect I enjoyed was the relationships between the characters. This felt like it was written about real people. I especially enjoyed the joking interactions between Erin and Grace. None of the characters in this story are exactly perfect, but I loved the way it showed that everyone has their strengths and their faults.

A fantastic literary journey.

Also, narration was fantastic for the part.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

[Nina Borgeson]

Full of laughter, love, pain, and heartbreak, this book really does have something for everyone. Erin isn’t your typical teenager. She’s is a fifteen-year-old girl struggling with the effects of her mother’s heroin addiction. She was abandoned at five years old, and hasn’t been the same happy child since then. Her life is completely turned around when her mother decides one day to come back into her life. This book follows Erin as she come to terms with her situation and learns to cope in a healthy, positive way. There’s also a bit of a love story embedded in her journey, as well as lessons on friendship and loss. Not only is this a wonderful story, but it’s also educational. The story mentions helpful resources, such as Narateen, an anonymous support group for teens who are affected by drug use.

This book was a really great read, and I’m so glad Amy Voltaire decided to write a story about such an important topic. I would highly recommend!

[Staci Hinson]

I enjoyed taking the journey with Erin as she navigates the active relationships in her life while contemplating the new relationships that form. This is a well thought out book that does a good job at addressing the affects of addiction on the entire family. There are a lot of children being raised by family members for various reasons and I'm sure they will be able to understand what Erin is going through as it relates to her mother. Great Job Amy Voltaire!!

[Melissa]

This was a really good book! Erin’s mother left one day to get drugs and never came back, she was raised by her grandparents in this heartbreaking story. It explores the effects of drug use on families and how it effects everyone! There is a definite rise in the world of hard core drug use and over doses so this story was a need to tell!

[LitPick Book Reviews]

Erin’s mother abandoned her when she was five years old, so Erin has lived with her grandparents the majority of her life. She's always had trouble making friends due to her defensive and sometimes hateful nature, but this year she makes a new friend, Grace. They have sleepovers, eat pizza, and talk about boys, but Erin is plagued by her past, especially when it shows up in random places. Is Erin’s mother willing to give up drugs for her? Will her mother be able to stay clean? How much will it hurt if Erin tries to accept her mother back into her life? Will it hurt even more if she doesn’t?

Opinion:
The main characters are particularly well developed, and the reader gets better acquainted with the secondary characters as the story progresses, but I feel the narrative definitely could have shown more of the characters' inner struggles. This could be good for younger readers, but mature young adults might find it lacks the complexity of thought and confusion that often plagues a teenager's mind when struggling with major family and friend conflicts. Books allow authors to pour immense creativity into them so all five senses can be explored in quite a lot of detail, and I picked up on very little sensory and imagery beyond insertion of basic adjectives. In contrast, this felt more like I was reading a "movie." The novel, however, does a great job of focusing on Erin’s doubts about her mother, giving it an “I, too, understand how it is” element. It would be great to have seen more of that emotional depth throughout the plot line.

[Beth]

15-year-old Erin is like any normal teenager: She's crushing on a boy, trying to ignore a bully, and wishing for a smartphone for Christmas. But Erin isn't your normal teenager. Her dad died when she was two and she was abandoned by her heroin-addicted mother when she was 5 years old. Erin now lives with her paternal grandparents and daily grapples with anger, sadness, worry, and confusion over what happened all those years ago. Just as Erin meets her best friend and begins feeling generally happy for the first time in a decade, her mother asks to be let back into her life. Tackling heavy topics without getting preachy, My Name is Erin, and My Mom's an Addict would be a great title to hand to a teen affected by addiction, or who has a friend facing the same challenges. Written in first-person from main character Erin's perspective, readers feel like they are having a conversation over pizza (just cheese, please) with a new friend. Every person can find this hope from Erin's story: You are not alone.

[Erin Beaver]

I finished My Name is Erin, and My Mom’s an Addict by Amy Voltaire. This is a book written for middle school age children . It follows Erin, a 14 yo girl who lives with her grandparents following the death of her father and the abandonment of her mother, who is an addict. Erin struggles with anger and coping after her traumatic first years. But she especially struggles when her mother steps back into her life. Erin grapples with worry, anxiety, anger, disappointment, and embarrassment. Through a support group she learns coping skills and understanding. Through friends and her grandparents, she learns love and caring. And through her teachers, she she’s her own skill and strength and ways to hope. I enjoyed this read and felt it would be beneficial to kiddos, but also to adults in the lives of children struggling with similar circumstances to Erin. I gave this book 4 ⭐️a and intend to donate it to a local library for others to continue to benefit from it.

[Cassandra York]

READ THE FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG ->http://thebibliophagist.org/?p=308

My Name Is Erin, and My Mom's an Addict is precisely the type of story America's youth needs to hear right now. Geared toward a middle grade audience, My Name is Erin, and My Mom's an Addict is the perfect book to introduce young readers to the heavy, yet relevant issues relating to drug use. I admire the fact that Voltaire does not go into any graphic detail of actually using drugs, she focuses on the impact drug users have on their family members and loved ones because of their addiction.

This book covers an important topic that often gets neglected in the YA genre. Look out for My Name is Erin, and My Mom's an Addict once it is released on April 27th!

[Katie]

I loved this book!! Amy Voltaire tells the story of the opioid epidemic ripped straight from the headlines. It has become routine to hear about how drug addiction has taken claim to another individual and with it another family. Everyone needs to read this book. You don’t know what you are missing. Instead of telling the story of someone dealing with addiction Amy takes a fresh spin and tells the story of a family member. That is something you won’t get out of the headlines and I cannot express the awareness that not only this book needs, but this topic. We have to do something even if it is so small like reading and sharing this book! Fabulous job Amy!!

[Living A Life Through Books]

This is a young adult fiction that deals with the effects of drug abuse on a family. A five year old Erin has to grapple with the reality of her mother having abandoned her to do drugs. The issues are serious yet Amy Voltaire writes it in a very easy and palatable way. Very well done. Thank you 😊

[Erin Burrell]

This is a well-crafted novel and one you don't want to put down. I wish this book would have existed when I was young. It would have been helpful to know there were others like me, who had parents who suffered from addictions. I'm hoping kids who are affected by the opioid crisis find this gem of a book. Kudos to the author and it feels like the main character, Erin, has more of a story to tell.

[Kylie]

Amazing!!!! I love that I can relate to almost every character in the book and it’s so great to be reminded that I’m not the only person in the world that’s going/gone through this stuff. I got the book last night and am already done reading it. It was emotional for sure but it was such a touching book I definitely recommend this book to anyone who has gone through things with addiction.

[Angela]

I absolutely loved it!

[Kaie]

.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Erin is 5 years old when her addict Mother leaves her and grandparents take her in. Years pass by, Erin finds new friends and even love, and then her mother reappears.

At first I thought that it was just a regular young adult novel, that I have read hundreds similar novels except the addiction topic. We have here a lonely teenager who suddenly finds herself a best friend, who is her sidekick for the rest of the entire novel. There was a traditional YA novel love story. But it was cute and entertaining part of the story.

I was surprised, however, how impactful the novel was. It said that when you have experienced something traumatic in your life, it’s okay to ask for help. Sometimes we try to be strong ourselves, without noticing we’re actually falling apart and being angry. But help is out there for a reason and it’s okay to take it. I was grateful for this message.

[Roisin]

2.5stars for me.

[Loree]

I think this could be a good book for pre-teens or teens that are struggling with a family member/friend involved with addiction. It has some very straight forward messages about addiction and how it is handled from all parties involved.