Varon’s passion for raising awareness around substance abuse is clear and ultimately guides the story. Crafted to educate and soothe younger readers, Varon’s narrative is straightforward but also oversimplified, moving quickly to make its encouraging points but not developing dramatically. The narrative takes off immediately and is soon resolved: readers are introduced to the characters, given one spread of when Joey was a caring brother, and then hit with a dramatic twist that is wrapped up just a few short pages later. The remainder is filled with mental health resources for kids and parents.

Varon’s great care and thoroughness distinguish the end resources. She includes multiple journaling and reflection prompts for kids about emergency responses, coping methods, and self-esteem, as well as lists of organizations to help all family members involved in the recovery process. This story is best suited for younger children or those readers new to the concept of substance abuse and recovery. Despite the abbreviated storytelling, the empathetic My Brother Is Not a Monster is an opportunity to help a highly targeted audience of readers.

Takeaway: A story of one family’s journey through substance abuse, paired with welcome mental health resources for kids and their parents.

Great for fans of: Claudia Black’s My Dad Loves Me, My Dad Has a Disease, Jill M. Hastings and Marion H. Typpo’s An Elephant in the Living Room; Anthony Curcio’s Critters Cry Too.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: B