Jumped In

Reach for this book when your teenager feels like they are fading into the background or struggling to express the heavy emotions of family abandonment and grief. It is a lifeline for the quiet student who uses withdrawal as a shield, offering a path toward connection through creativity. The story follows Sam, a boy living with his grandparents who tries to remain invisible until a forced partnership with Luis, a classmate with deep gang ties, pulls him into the world of performance poetry. While it touches on the harsh realities of urban violence and loss, it is ultimately a story about the bravery required to be seen. The verse format makes it accessible for reluctant readers, while the emotional depth provides a safe space to discuss loyalty, identity, and the transformative power of finding one's voice.