Families who loved Dear Dad: Growing Up With a Parent in Prison -- and How We Stayed Connected by Jay Jay Patton often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent should reach for this book when their child is grappling with the separation of a family member due to the justice system or needs to see how personal hardship can be transformed into positive action. This vibrant graphic memoir follows Jay Jay Patton as she navigates the emotional vacuum of her father's incarceration, ultimately using her passion for coding to build an app that helps other families stay connected. It handles heavy themes of longing and systemic barriers with a spirit of resilience and hope, making it an empowering read for children ages 8 to 12. Parents will find this a helpful tool for normalizing the experience of having a loved one in prison while highlighting the power of STEM as a vehicle for social change.
