Badd

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to reconcile the idealized image of a loved one with the messy, complicated reality of that person's trauma or flaws. It is an essential read for families navigating the shadow of the military experience or for any teen who feels they are losing the person they once looked up to most. The story follows Cally, whose brother Bobby returns from Iraq changed in ways she cannot understand. As she tries to help him reclaim his former 'hero' status, she is forced to confront the difference between cinematic bravery and the quiet, painful courage required to survive everyday life. This is a gritty and honest exploration of identity and family loyalty for readers ages 14 and up. It provides a roadmap for discussing how we support those we love when they are at their most broken, making it a powerful tool for normalizing feelings of confusion, anger, and grief within a family unit.