Deena Misses Her Mom - Paperback

by Jesse Holmes (Author), Kahliya Ruffin (Author), Leslie Pyo (Illustrator)

The moving and all too common story of a young girl managing big feelings when her mother is incarcerated.

Written by four teenagers, this moving picture book explores the effects of parental incarceration on a young Black girl. After her mother goes to prison, Deena starts misbehaving in school. Her best friend tries to talk to her about her feelings, her grandmother tries to comfort her, her dad tries to punish her - but nothing helps. A day at the carnival brings everything to the forefront. Illustrated through poignant collage, this story helps young people process and understand hard conversations, the grief caused by the justice system, and how families persevere through it all.