Use of crack, cocaine, alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco by pregnant women can cause serious long term problems for the baby. Drug habits of the father also affect children.
Relates the angst-ridden life of fourteen-year-old Libby Madrigal as she tries to deal with her unhappily married alcoholic father and overeating mother, moving to a new town, and finding the perfect boy to "seriously" kiss.
When his mother's drinking problem causes him to spend several months with country relatives in upstate Wisconsin, sixteen-year-old Carl begins to build a new life for himself, only to see it threatened by a serious mistake from his painful past.
Describes alcoholism, alcoholic behavior, and resulting family problems. Advises children of alcoholic parents in dealing with these problems and their own feelings and suggests ways to make life more bearable and productive.
Discusses what it is like to be a teenager who drinks too much, who is likely to become an alcoholic, why teens drink, alcohol's effect on body and mind, drinking and driving, and living with alcoholic parents.
