"Even though the book has heartbreak, it has happiness and humor. YA readers will love this moving memoir . . . The themes of separation, poverty, loneliness, and broken families make this a timely and timeless story." -ReaderViews " . . . Warmly likable man doing his utmost to struggle through more tragedy and bad luck than any human being should be handed . . . but always doing so with courage, humor and gallantry." -BookLife Reviews "A devastating coming-of-age memoir about the impact of a mother's mental illness on her son." -Clarion Foreword Reviews "As dramatic as it is heartbreaking." -Kirkus Reviews Through a series of letters at times heart-breaking, poetic, and unexpectedly humorous, come explore this true teen and young adult journey of a lost soul searching for the love of his mentally ill mother. While facing seemingly insurmountable odds, Manny ultimately becomes her caretaker and guardian while also parenting his four younger siblings in 1990's Houston, Texas. Witness his transformation in this coming-of-age story of a forgotten and disfigured black child, born into spirit-crushing poverty, and thrust into adult life all too soon. Manny's teen years are spent battling the silent and treacherous enemy of mental illness in his mother's erratic and terrifying behavior. Years of bullying and abuse finally take their toll, and Manny soon finds himself at war with his own demons of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts as he struggles to find his place in the world, and the true meaning of unconditional love. Experience this inspirational story of loss, faith, love, and redemption that is guaranteed to bring forth both tears and laughter, heartache and happiness, as it captures your imagination, ignites your soul, and soon has you racing from page to page, breathlessly waiting to discover what happens next ...