Bad Kid (A Graphic Memoir): My Life as a “Troubled Teen”

Gr 10 Up–Teenage years are generally known as a time to rebel, express oneself, and maybe take a few more risks than in childhood. But for teen Szamosi, enjoying this new freedom lands her in a repeating cycle of being sent to remedial wilderness programs and treatment centers. Through her own experiences that took place in the early 2000s, Szamosi scrutinizes what teens face when placed in behavioral correction facilities for being arbitrarily labeled as “troubled.” With real-life diary entries, unique drawings, and personal photographs, Szamosi peels back the rawness of being categorized as a “bad kid” and readers are given a tangible perspective of the actions taken by herself and the people around her. Over a span of two years—which in this memoir feels infinitely longer—she is sent to and from multitude facilities that aim to reform her through varying interventions and Szamosi dives into how these institutions truly and deeply influenced her growth and development. Readers who connected with Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chand and Tara Anand, The Flip Side by Jason Walz, or Love, Misha by Askel Aden will find much to love here.