Beyond Pap Finn

Inspired by the School Library Journal cover controversy, I thought of how often in children's and young adult literature the extreme view of drinking is given. One drink leads to binge drinking and dangerous behaviour; all drinkers are bad, abusive, evil drunks; etc.

So I asked for suggestions of those books where an alcoholic (including recovering alcoholic) is portrayed as something other than the evil, abusive person. The two illustrative books being, The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (being in the program and recovery is a fact of life) and Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr (alcoholic parent as flawed, needing help, but not portrayed as evil or abusive).

Here is the list thus far:

Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson

Last Night I Sang to the Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Tempo Change by Barbara Hull

Up a Road Slowly by Irene Hunt

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer

Best Foot Forward by Joan Bauer

Lush by Natasha Friend

Crash into Me by Albert Borris

Thanksgiving at the Inn by Tim Whitney

How To Say Goodbye In Robot by Nicole Standiford

And the link to Al Anon & Alateen.

Please keep the titles coming! I will add to this list as I get more suggestions.








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© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy