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When I began my career as a clinician at a substance abuse program, my treatment team met with an agent from the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). I learned that the fastest rising group of drug users was 8th graders – this, in the early 1990’s. 30 years later, the drug epidemic has killed thousands of Americans, including many young.

My Brother Is Not a Monster
By Lee Varon
Illustration, Alisha Monnin
(Rachlee Books, Boston MA)
Available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon,or leesvaron.com

As a comparison, in 2020, 52 people aged 0-39 died from Covid-19. In 2020, there were over 2,000 overdoses, just from opioids, in Massachusetts alone; 554 were under age 35. As I read My Brother Is Not a Monster: A Story of Addiction and Recovery, I recalled many situations from my clinical days – parents dealing drugs hidden in their baby strollers, 4-year-olds babysitting their younger siblings when parents left to get high, empty refrigerators, kids finding their parents or siblings overdosed, or dead.

Lee Varon, Cambridge poet and author, has never been one to shy away from controversial and difficult subjects. Now she has authored My Brother Is Not a Monster: A Story of Addiction and Recovery (Rachlee Books, Boston, MA). This is one of a few (and sorely needed) books I am aware of on the subject of teen drug addiction. Addictions are commonly viewed as moral and/or individual weakness, so it’s on the addict and those near and dear to ignore and/or hide it, or deal with it. But, the truth will out, in all its messiness. That is the premise of Varon’s book.

This is the story of Sophia, her friend, Casey, both youngsters, and Sophia’s older brother Joey. It’s Halloween night, there’s costumes, and trick or treating. Sophia’s mom has to work the night shift, so leaves big brother Joey in charge. But Joey, dressed as a monster, meets his pal Harry during trick-or-treating, and up to no good, abandons his two charges.

When Sophia and Casey get back to Sophia’s, things go swiftly downhill. They find Joey passed out in his room. Then it’s fear, panic, and calling 911. EMTs arrive, give Joey Narcan and save his life. The artful illustrations by Alisha Monnin are realistic, and do not sugar-coat events. Joey’s ashen face as he is wheeled away, and the worried look on Sophia’s as she talks with her mom, depict the gravity of the situation. Thankfully the story has a positive ending, with Joey heading to rehab and then recovery school. The story is compelling and realistic. If only all addicts were so lucky…

Varon has skillfully woven many facets of addiction into this tale, from common symptoms (Joey’s stealing and skipping family events) to explanations (mom educating Sophia about addiction). Monnin’s illustrations add to the mix, such as the “One Day At A Time” poster in the illustration of Joey’s recovery school room).

The language is straight-forward and simple. Varon avoids a lot of technical terminology so the story will be understandable to youngsters. I’m not a professional educator, but this book seems appropriate for ages 10 (around 5th grade) and up.

I shared this with a “tween” I know, who deemed it “pretty intense” but could see it in a health education class or read with a parent or caregiver. There’s a glossary, worksheets and a resource list included, helpful for teachers and parents.

Personally, I think My Brother Is Not a Monster should be in every school and public library. And for those who think the topic isn’t appropriate for kids, addiction is a topic everywhere – on TV, on-line and on social media, in movies, and in schoolyard chatter. And sadly, it’s often in their own families. Our kids are probably more aware than we think.

— Julia Carlson, MSW, worked as a clinical social worker in addictions for over 25 years.