Dear Dad

By Jay Jay Patton, Antoine Patton, Kiara Valdez, Markia Jenai (Illustrator)

A girl navigates life with her dad returning from prison, redefining their bond.

3.7/5 Goodreads · 1,033 ratings

128 pages· 3,386 words· Est. 38 min read

$14.99Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Nine-year-old Jay Jay Patton's world shifts as her father returns from prison. Growing up in Buffalo, she's only known him through letters, some lost in transit. As they reunite, Jay Jay and her dad forge a new connection, creating Photo Patch, an app bridging children with incarcerated parents. Can they redefine their relationship and help others do the same? Discover a heartfelt journey of resilience and innovation, where a daughter's right to connect with her father becomes a powerful mission.

From the publisher

A stunning graphic novel memoir about growing up with an incarcerated parent.” …Your dad is coming back home.”As far back as nine-year-old Jay Jay Patton can remember, her dad, Antoine has been in prison. Growing up in Buffalo, New York with her mom and younger brother, she’s only been to visit him twice. Instead, the two have sent each other numerous letters – Jay Jay’s letters can take weeks or months to reach her dad, and some never even get delivered. What’s it going to be like having Dad home?This powerful coming-of-age graphic novel memoir tells Jay Jay Patton’s life of growing up with a dad in – and out of – prison. How she and her dad were able to develop a powerful father/daughter bond and create Photo Patch – a life-changing application that connects children to incarcerated parents. Because no child should have to grow up unable to engage with their parents. As Jay Jay says: “it’s not a privilege for a kid to be able to talk to their parent. It’s a right.”

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