For a child coping with past trauma or navigating difficult family situations, this poignant story explores healing, acceptance, and the power of unexpected friendship.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is processing the emotional fallout of a difficult or abusive home life, especially if they are expressing their pain through anger and mistrust. "Following My Own Footsteps" tells the story of Gordy, a boy simmering with rage after years of abuse from his alcoholic father. When he and his family move in with his wealthy, no-nonsense grandmother, Gordy must navigate a new life while carrying his old wounds. Through a tentative friendship with a boy who uses a wheelchair, Gordy slowly learns to trust, heal, and redefine himself. This book is a powerful, realistic exploration of trauma, resilience, and the life-changing power of stability and kindness for readers ages 9 to 13.
Frequent, non-graphic references to past domestic violence (a father hitting his son).
Substance ReferencesModerate
A main character's alcoholism is a central element of the plot and the source of the abuse.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the psychological aftermath of domestic violence and alcoholism. The abuse is not depicted graphically but is discussed as a past event that shapes the protagonist's present behavior. The approach is secular and focused on emotional processing. The representation of physical disability is positive and realistic, focusing on the personhood of the character. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in realism, acknowledging that healing is a long, ongoing process.
Ideal Reader
A child aged 10 to 13 who has experienced or witnessed family turmoil and is struggling with feelings of anger, shame, or mistrust. It is particularly suited for a child who feels like a 'bad kid' because of their reactive behaviors and needs to see that their feelings are a valid response to their experiences.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the first few chapters where Gordy's memories of his father's abuse are referenced. While not overly graphic, the descriptions of his father's drunken rage are emotionally potent. No specific context is needed to start, but parents should be prepared to discuss why people who have been hurt sometimes hurt others or push away help. A parent has just moved their child out of a difficult home situation. They observe the child is constantly angry, cynical, pushing away kindness, or getting into trouble at school. The child might be saying things like, "I hate everyone," or, "You don't understand."
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will likely focus on the plot: Gordy's anger, his new school, and his friendship with William. An older reader (11-13) will be able to engage with the deeper psychological themes: the cycle of abuse, processing trauma, and the complex challenge of forging an identity separate from one's parents.
What Makes It Special
This book's unique strength is its unflinching focus on the emotional aftermath of abuse rather than the event itself. It masterfully portrays the raw, 'unpretty' anger of a traumatized child, validating those feelings while showing a path toward channeling them constructively. It avoids easy answers and instead honors the slow, difficult work of healing.
Read plot summary
After his mother finally leaves his abusive, alcoholic father, Gordy and his younger brother go to live with their stern, wealthy grandmother. Gordy is filled with rage and hostility, acting out at school and resisting his grandmother's attempts to create a stable home. His perspective begins to shift when he forms a friendship with William, a classmate who uses a wheelchair. Through this relationship and his grandmother's unwavering expectations, Gordy confronts the trauma of his past and begins to build a new identity separate from his father's violent legacy.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the beginning of the book, Gordy is very angry and often mean to his grandmother and William. Why do you think he pushes people away when they are trying to help him?
2
William tells Gordy, "You're not your father." What does he mean by that, and why is it such an important moment for Gordy?
3
How does Gordy's relationship with his grandmother change from the start of the story to the end? What specific events cause them to understand each other better?
4
Gordy feels ashamed about his family's poverty and his father's actions. How do these feelings of shame affect the way he behaves at his new school?
5
What do you think Gordy learns from his friendship with William? And what do you think William learns from his friendship with Gordy?
