Recruited to play a key role in an intervention that will confront his dad’s drinking and drug use, Casey at first refuses, then begins to break through to the reality that his family has never before acknowledged.
With multiple characters, a strong vein of humor, and an unexpected outcome, The Prince of Denial is a young adult’s adventure in facing the risks, and discovering the power, of living your truth.
Thirteen-year-old Casey's parents have recently broken up. His mom and sister move away and Casey stays with his dad.
Casey's dad drinks and gets stoned all the time. It's up to Casey to make sure that everything is okay in their lives. So he rushes home from school everyday to clean up and put all his dad's beer bottles in the recycling bin. He waits for his dad to get home never knowing what mood he will be in.
One day his dad's sister, Janet, approaches him about doing an intervention. She brings in Joe who organizes it. Knowing it's the right thing to do so his dad can face his demons and get the help he needs, Casey is conflicted about how his dad will react.
This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I liked the writing style and found it to be a quick read (there's a lot of dialogue). It is written in first person from Casey's point of view and it's as if he is talking to us, telling us his story.
I liked the characters. I found Casey believable in what he is going through. He has a good support system in his friends Tara and Oscar, though he keeps what's going on a secret at first because he is ashamed and embarrassed. Tara is caring and Oscar is both caring and funny.
I'd recommend this book. As a head's up, there is a bit of mature language.
I'll have to check it out!
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