Run Home: A Graphic Memoir

by Alyssa Bermudez

This heartrending graphic memoir by Alyssa Bermudez (Big Apple Diaries) is a moving and unforgettable story about inner strength, healing, and finding hope.

It's 2002, and 14-year-old Alyssa is a freshman at a new high school where she knows NO ONE and the uniforms are hideous! What a disaster...

Even worse? Her parents are forcing her to join the cross-country team. No one needs to run, or sweat, this much!

Over time though, Alyssa actually starts to like running. She's getting better with practice, and some of the girls on the team are really nice. Alyssa begins to find a steady rhythm with high school, cross country, and her new stepfamily.

But Alyssa's dad is sick, and she doesn't know what to do. When the worst thing imaginable happens, Alyssa will need to count on her friends, family, and herself to keep running forward.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Memoir, Grief, Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Sports, Comics

304 pages, Hardcover

Published January 27, 2026

About the author

Alyssa Bermudez (she/her) is a born and bred New Yorker living down under in Tasmania, Australia! She studied illustration and animation at the Fashion Institute of Technology for Bachelors and Masters courses. Using watercolour and digital techniques, she brings a unique and vibrant quality to her illustrations.

As an author, illustrator, and art teacher, Alyssa’s work has appeared in over a dozen picture books, on fabric collections, and even on stage. Her debut middle-grade graphic memoir, Big Apple Diaries (2021), introduced readers to her personal diary entries growing up in NYC. The book is now part of the permanent collection at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. Her latest memoir, Run Home, is a heartfelt story about friendship, running, and navigating grief with resilience and creativity.

With a deep commitment to celebrating diverse voices, Alyssa’s work embraces inclusivity and emotional honesty. She’s obsessed with dogs, books, live sketching, travelling, and keeping plants alive.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A follow up to Big Apple Diaries, Run Home: A Graphic Memoir highlights Alyssa's life as she enters high school and begins running track. As with the first book, Run Home packed an emotional punch that not only explores Alyssa's relationships at school, but the changing dynamic with her father. Though I could figure out what would happen by the end, it was gut-wrenching to watch a story of such immense grief unfold. This a graphic novel that I think would work well for both tweens and teens as it tackles subjects/themes that will resonate with both age groups. Not told in traditional comic format, Bermudez beautifully carries the readers through the her life experiences. Though you don't have to read Big Apple Diaries first before diving into this one, I highly recommend it as it provides more context for the various events that occur throughout the narrative.

[Lexi (Reads and Riesling) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this graphic memoir. I liked the diary entry format, especially after reading the author’s note and discovering that journaling was one way she mourned her father’s death. I always find it difficult to judge memoirs, but objectively, this memoir did what it was meant to do: introduce us to the author. I would have loved to see the author dive deeper at some points, but overall, I really enjoyed reading her story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel(more like companion) to Bermudez's first book, which I adored.

Going to be very honest, it took me over a month to finish this. Was it bad? Absolutely NOT! Is it heavy and difficult to read at points? Yes, for sure.

Beautifully written and it's obvious Bermudez poured her heart into this. Loved it for the start to the end. Can't wait to read her next book :)

[Elizabeth]

Sweet and emotional- I think this would strike a very deep chord with any young teenagers experiencing grief. I really enjoyed it!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I loved relating to the track and field elements of Alyssa's memoir.

[Andrea Beatriz Arango]

I've been a fan of Alyssa's for a long time (she did all the interior art in Iveliz Explains It All!) but this graphic memoir in particular really hit me hard because it's made up of her real-life diary entries from the year she lost her dad 🥺.

If you follow me, then you know I also lost my dad when I was young (though not as young as Alyssa) and even reading this 15 years later, it still made me cry in recognition.

What a special thing it is to be allowed a glimpse at someone else's grief. What a gift. It always ALWAYS makes me feel less alone.

Gift this one to a kiddo in your life who might feel seen by it. Sometimes a book can reach where spoken words don't 🫂.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What better way to read an author’s memoir than through her diaries? And even better, diaries illustrated by the author herself!

Alyssa Bermudez's graphic memoir follows her BIG APPLE DIARIES (which I read and reviewed for my recommended books about the events of 9/11) and covers the time period from September 2002 to June 2004, a time in her life filled with change: new friends, a new sport, a new family, and loss and heartache.

In 2002 NYC Queens resident Alyssa starts ninth grade at an all-girls’ school where she needs to make new friends. Also her divorced parents both agree that she is to join a sports team where, believing herself to be uncoordinated, she unenthusiastically settles on the cross-country track team. However, an aspiring artist, she does enjoy the Art cottage on campus.
During the year, her father remarries and Alyssa has a new stepmother, Sasha, and older stepsister, Georgia, and continues to divide her time between her mother’s and her now-more-crowded father’s places. Her one worry is that her father has liver disease but is now noticeably sick all the time.

Readers follow Alyssa through her diary entries as she struggles to improve in track, makes new friends—mainly through track, and shares her “favorites” (such as her summer camp crush Nick), life updates, and future goals.

But while she is at summer camp, her father dies, and readers see her struggle through her first year without her dad. Her extended family members and camp and school friends support her but she feels alone and experiences a whirlwind of emotions—surprise, confusion, impatience, anger, pain, guilt, and irrational annoyance at happy people; some days she can’t get out of bed. “I’m just so up and down. My mood changes by the minute.” (199)

Alyssa meets with the school’s social worker who reassures her that what she is feeling is “normal” and suggests writing letters to her dad. Running also helps her to feel "free." When she gets a job working with young children, she discovers that some of them are homeless or survivors of domestic abuse, and she “bursts out of (her) own self-absorbed bubble,” and through art, poetry, friends, and running begins to heal.

This is a book for anyone who is experiencing the highs and lows of adolescence, especially those who have experienced change and/or loss. It also could lead to writing epistolary or graphic memoirs.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a graphic memoir about the author. It picks up after her first memoir leaves off. There are references to events from Big Apple Diaries when looking back at 9/11. In this book, 14-year-old Alyssa has transferred to a new school. A private all girls school. She's worried about making new friends, her classes and picking up a new sport. Since her father is good at every sport that he does and she is used to routine of cycling with her father, her parents think that cross-country track might be a great way to stay in shape. In the midst of all of this, she's grappling with her Latina identity. She is has friends that are dealing with their own issues on the periphery as well. Alyssa finds threads of connection with each of these new friends.

The layout of this book is more of a scrapbook format. It breaks out of the typical comic book or graphic novel format. The author uses a dear diary format which allows her to jump around in town. We don't get daily entries from the author but we do get colorful illustrations. She uses the entire page spread to illustrate and allow her creativity to follow. Many of the colors present on the cover, are carried throughout the book. This is a wonderful, poignant sequel to her first memoir. Highly recommended for readers of Big Apple Diaries as well as those who like realistic fiction.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ninth grade is a time of transition for thirteen year old Alyssa, especially because she is starting at a new, all girl’s school where she has no friends. At home, her ailing father is getting remarried, so Alyssa is managing change on several fronts. To appease both her parents, Alyssa begrudgingly joins the track team which, while not being an immediate fit, gives Alyssa some much appreciated confidence as she overcomes tangible hurdles in her way. This is especially helpful as control becomes more difficult to find in her life, and running provides an outlet Alyssa desperately needs. Recounted as a blend of a diary and a graphic novel, this story is fast-paced and accessible to a wide range of readers. The narrative takes place in New York City in 2002, so references to 9-11 are common while the use of cell phones and social media are not. This choice allows readers to focus on the analog relationships among the characters without technology getting in the way. Because the book is written as a diary, discussion of past events occurs with some frequency; while this lends authenticity to the fact that the narrator has written several diaries, it also makes readers feel as though they have missed an earlier story. Nevertheless, this book stands on its own and blends art and emotional moments to effectively resonate with young high school-aged readers in particular. This is a unique and thoughtful addition to library collections for emerging young adult readers.

[Morgan the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully done coming-of-age graphic memoir by Bermudez that I'm so glad I picked up. I felt that Alyssa's voice was very strong and that the diary entries were well-paired with the graphic novel part. The illustrations were well-done and would appeal to a variety of audiences. This fits well within the middle grade genre, but I would certainly recommend this one to adults and teen readers who enjoy memoir styles, as it resonated a lot for me as an adult too. Grief was a huge part of this story and I felt that the memoir stayed true and kept a lot of the real feelings that a young high schooler would be going through with that. I appreciate that this seems to be built off of her journal at the time, so it feels incredibly real. If only I had the diligence to keep up with one myself!
But overall, this was a great read and hit me pretty hard emotionally, though I smiled through the rest of it.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think finding the right audience for this book may be tricky. Alyssa is firmly in high school for the events of the book, but a lot of the story takes place during her freshman year and will likely appeal more to tweens than teens. And, because of the popularity of her first memoir Big Apple Diaries (which is referenced throughout this book), tweens will likely be who reaches for this book.

That being said, I loved Big Apple Diaries and I loved Run Home. This feels so authentically like a book about a girl growing into herself. There are all the hallmarks of a classic coming of age memoir (making friends, finding a place in the world, mentions of art) but there are also things that feel unique.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy.

[Libriar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. It's 2002 in New York City, and Alyssa is starting her freshman year at an all-girls Catholic school. She writes and draws her experiences in diaries as she navigates finding friends, joining the track team, and going between two households. But the summer after her freshman year, tragedy strikes her family, and she's not sure she will ever fully recover. This is a good choice for 8th-10th-grade fans of Raina Telgemeier. I hadn't read Bermudez's previous graphic novels that are set when she was younger, but I felt the backstory given in this book was sufficient. Many teen readers are going to struggle with the occasional but important cursive writing that's included. ARC courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Alyssa starts her freshman year, she is worried. It's a new school, she knows no one, and she hates the uniforms. Plus, her parents are forcing her to choose a sport. But she soon finds her place. She joins the cross-country team and finds a great group of friends. Her parents may be divorced, but they have a wonderful co-parenting relationship and she has a great family. Her life is just about perfect. Except of course for her father's illness. When tragedy strikes, Alyssa's life is thrown into chaos and she is going to need her friends and family to keep her grounded. A wonderful graphic memoir showcasing grief, friendship, and family.

[Kelvin Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful and powerful story. I won't lie, reading about Alyssa's grief for her late father, as well as her healing process, made me better appreciate all the things my own father does for my family (and what good fathers do for their families in general). I also liked all those light-hearted visual metaphors that do a great job of showing how Alyssa feels about the constant changes in her life throughout the story. This is a great book for kids who are dealing with loss in their lives.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through track and cross country running, Alyssa makes friends and learns how to push through the pain, which later becomes more relevant for her when she loses someone very important. Since most of the story takes place during her freshman year of high school, I think this would appeal to both middle grade and young adults, and there is no kissy parts that adults might object to younger teens and tweens reading.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are not a lot of graphic novels for the eighth and ninth grade set, and this one fits that age well. This is the kind of sports book that will appeal to kids who aren’t super into sports, as Alyssa sees that being on the track team is not just about the competition but about the more abstract benefits that sports can provide like friendship and self worth.

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great graphic novel about finding where you fit in middle grade. But also overcoming some insecurities while dealing with changes around you.
I liked this look into Alyssa's story and how cross country became really good for her even though it was challenge and she was dealing with other challenges in her life.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

[Fatma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. I liked a lot of this graphic memoir but I found by the end that I wasn't as invested in her story. There is so much to like- relationships- with friends and family- dealing with grief as a teenager and finding ways to connect to your identity and your true self. It's definitely for readers 10 and up.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable graphic memoir of the author's early high school years, in which she finds friendship and purpose with the track team at her new school. In the meantime, her father is remarrying and is also quite sick, which causes her a lot of worry. Told through diary entries with excellent and easily followed illustrations.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness gracious, how nice it was to read a beautifully-illustrated graphic novel that is honest and real, but also sweet and innocent. It’s a memoir of grief and friendship and getting through the hard stuff with the people who love you by your side.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Review to come closer to publication date.

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic memoir told via diary entries over the course of middle school through high school. The diary entries allows the author to be vulnerable, honest, and introspective. I also appreciated the frankness of her grieving process of losing her dad.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

would be best enjoyed by grade 5-8

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great story.

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to read at times, but so well done! I'm glad this had a runner on the front or I wouldn't have picked it up! I'm glad this book exists.

[Jami Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is very moving. I can relate to losing a parent very unexpectedly, so it really hit home. I liked how the author wasn't afraid to tell about her ups and downs during a difficult time in her life.