Deanna Hessedal Tiddle

Hold On, Jessica, Don't Let Go Deanna Hessedal Tiddle

This insightful middle grade novel portrays a child struggling to survive in an alcoholic family.

Can eleven-year-old Jessica run away from her life? It's so hard living with an alcoholic parent. The fear. The anger. The embarrassment. The emptiness in her heart where a father's love should be. How can she bear to keep hearing his cruel words? What will other kids think if they see her father drunk? Can she protect her three-year-old brother?

Jessica becomes more and more discouraged, but, as she turns 12 and then 13, she makes important discoveries about herself and her power to determine her future.