DEAR DAD: GROWING UP WITH A PARENT IN PRISON – AND HOW WE STAYED CONNECTED
Dear Dad: Growing Up with a Parent in Prison by Jay Jay Patton, illustrated by Kiara Valdez and Markia Jenai, is an unforgettable graphic memoir. This memoir tells the story of Jay Jay’s experience growing up with a father in prison, their struggle to stay connected, and the bond they built despite the distance. The story also highlights their post-incarceration journey as they worked together to create the Photo Patch App, a program designed to connect children with their incarcerated parents.
The visual storytelling pairs perfectly with the narrative, capturing moments of sadness, hope, and joy in a way that will resonate with middle-grade students. The inclusion of real-life photos and statistics at the end of the book are a great way to remind readers that this is a memoir and the events, the people and the app are all real.
This book touches on important themes like social issues, family relationships, and resilience. It sparks conversations about staying connected, even when it’s tough, and helps build empathy along the way. The representation of girls in STEM showing Jay Jay’s passion for math and hard work in bringing the app to life are a great addition to any bookshelf.
You can visit the Photo Patch website here to see the growing number of connections made possible through the innovation.