Somebody's Someone

12-year-old Ruby Bean has become an Accidental Expert on Missing Mothers. When Ruthie, her mother goes missing again due to mental illness and addiction – Ruby and her aunt leap into action to search for Ruthie.
A jewelry store robbery and unexpected kindness from the victim bring more twists to the journey. From Georgia to Washington to New York City Ruby discovers that sometimes even the worst events can bring the best surprises into one’s life.

Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. 46 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people will develop conditions by the age of 14.

5.25" x 7.75"   184 pages   Ages 10-14

BISACS: JUV039020    JUV039240    JUV013030

Read the Author Interview here:  Literary Titan

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Jacketed Hardcover / 978-1-947159-87-7 / $18.99 (List)
ePub 3 ebook S/L Edition / 978-1-947159-89-1
Audiobook Edition / 978-1-947159-92-1 available from Overdrive

On-Sale date: March 4, 2025

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Praise for Somebody's Someone

“Somebody’s Someone is a real treat for young readers, blending humor, love and friendship in the story of a twelve-year-old meeting the challenges of life with a mentally ill parent head on. I highly recommend it for young readers.”
– Barbara Binns, award-winning author of Courage and Unlawful Orders

"Somebody's Someone" is a perfect title for this exquisitely sensitive story about Ruby, a precocious 12-year-old who wishes to lend dignity to her mother who suffers from mental illness by referring to her as "somebody's someone," whenever she disappears for weeks and sometimes months at a time. Ruby's world is all too familiar to those who suffer as she does and, for those who don't, it's also a must read to understand the effects of mental illness on all family members. --Linda Appleman Shapiro, Teacher, Psychotherapist/Addictions Counselor, weekly Mental Health Blogger

"All in all, a bit of a gem! A superbly written character-led novel for 10-14 year olds. Highly recommended!
--The Wishing Shelf Awards

"Somebody’s Someone is a heart-wrenching and profoundly moving middle-grade novel that tackles themes of family, mental illness, and resilience with a balance of poignancy and hope. Through the eyes of twelve-year-old Ruby Bean, readers are taken on a deeply emotional journey of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between a child and her mother." --Bookshelf review

FIRST Place Winner for Children's & YA writing Bookshelf Awards

"A compassionate novel exploring the lifeforce of a child's love.  Somebody's Someone carefully addresses dark and complex topics through a compassionate, community-driven lens."  -- Independent Book Review

"The novel's heady mix of realism and buoyancy carries all the way to the extraordinary ending. Dzamesi's spectacular black and white artwork renders such indelible images as Ruby's big, soulful eyes and Daisy's even bigger hat.   A young girl's bumpy life begets an uplifting narrative journey."  -- Kirkus Reviews

"The story serves as Ruby’s love letter to her mother and a powerful reflection of the strength of family bonds. Yai Dzamesi’s vibrant illustrations add another layer of warmth, illuminating Ruby’s story and emphasizing the quiet strength of belonging. A beautifully illustrated, soul-stirring story that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page." -- The Praries Book Review  Read the full review here.

"Somebody’s Someone lingers in the reader’s mind. ...For its target audience, this book isa compelling and memorable read, one that offers a tender exploration of the complexities of familial bonds and the enduring nature of hope" --Literary Titan Review