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Bad Kid (A Graphic Memoir): My Life as a "Troubled Teen"
A searing personal account of the so-called troubled teen industry, this graphic memoir exposes and humanizes the harrowing experience of so many young people in behavioral correction facilities.
When she was just thirteen years old, Sofia was taken—by two people she had never seen before—to a “therapeutic wilderness program” three states away. Her own mother, terrified that Sofia was spiraling out of control, had enrolled her in an institution for “troubled teens.” But instead of finding healing, Sofia found herself trapped. Trapped inside an unregulated industry that used promises of intervention and reform to prey upon panicking parents and kids with court orders.
Over the next two years, Sofia would cycle through four different residential programs. In these places, school hours were a privilege, not a right. Contact with the outside world, including her mother, was strictly monitored. Teenage inmates were encouraged to call one another out. Still a child—ripped from her home, stripped of basic freedoms, and severed from her family and friends—Sofia struggled to understand who she really was beneath the crushing weight of the label BAD KID.
A darkly funny and intimate coming-of-age tale, this graphic memoir exposes the harrowing realities of adolescence in and out of the "troubled teen" industry of the early 2000s. And in doing so, Bad Kid explores the lasting impact of the labels we’re given—and how making art can help transmute them.
When she was just thirteen years old, Sofia was taken—by two people she had never seen before—to a “therapeutic wilderness program” three states away. Her own mother, terrified that Sofia was spiraling out of control, had enrolled her in an institution for “troubled teens.” But instead of finding healing, Sofia found herself trapped. Trapped inside an unregulated industry that used promises of intervention and reform to prey upon panicking parents and kids with court orders.
Over the next two years, Sofia would cycle through four different residential programs. In these places, school hours were a privilege, not a right. Contact with the outside world, including her mother, was strictly monitored. Teenage inmates were encouraged to call one another out. Still a child—ripped from her home, stripped of basic freedoms, and severed from her family and friends—Sofia struggled to understand who she really was beneath the crushing weight of the label BAD KID.
A darkly funny and intimate coming-of-age tale, this graphic memoir exposes the harrowing realities of adolescence in and out of the "troubled teen" industry of the early 2000s. And in doing so, Bad Kid explores the lasting impact of the labels we’re given—and how making art can help transmute them.
392 pages, Hardcover
Published March 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 20, 2025
ARC for review. To be published March 10, 2026.
4 stars
Nice graphic novel for young adults that is Szamosi’s high school memoir; she spent about two years in several wilderness programs for troubled teens. While, obviously, this story is from her perspective, it sounds as if she had some pretty standard rebellion issues as well as some minor issues with alcohol (using, but not out of control, according to the book.) And while it does not appear she experience any outright physical abuse while in the programs, as had been alleged by others, she was essentially kidnapped and taken away two times, all with the cooperation of her parents, which was totally legal because she was a minor.
This was an interesting look at the day to day goings on at these camps/schools and how long the programs last (I’m sure it seems like forever.) Art was nice, if fairly standard for this type of book, but worked well for the subject matter.
4 stars
Nice graphic novel for young adults that is Szamosi’s high school memoir; she spent about two years in several wilderness programs for troubled teens. While, obviously, this story is from her perspective, it sounds as if she had some pretty standard rebellion issues as well as some minor issues with alcohol (using, but not out of control, according to the book.) And while it does not appear she experience any outright physical abuse while in the programs, as had been alleged by others, she was essentially kidnapped and taken away two times, all with the cooperation of her parents, which was totally legal because she was a minor.
This was an interesting look at the day to day goings on at these camps/schools and how long the programs last (I’m sure it seems like forever.) Art was nice, if fairly standard for this type of book, but worked well for the subject matter.
December 9, 2025
Sofia Szamosi shares her experience as a captive of the troubled teen industry after her mother has her committed to various therapeutic wilderness programs and residential treatment centers to cure her bad behavior.
Szamosi is frank about her "bad kid" status, laying out the attitude, substance abuse, and eating disorder that led to the label. She also recounts her immediate recidivism upon release.
Her experience in the system resembles a twisted mix of prison, boot camp, bullying, and group therapy. There is a lot of controversy around these facilities, and it is good to have Szamosi's insights.
Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.
Szamosi is frank about her "bad kid" status, laying out the attitude, substance abuse, and eating disorder that led to the label. She also recounts her immediate recidivism upon release.
Her experience in the system resembles a twisted mix of prison, boot camp, bullying, and group therapy. There is a lot of controversy around these facilities, and it is good to have Szamosi's insights.
Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.
November 5, 2025
This is a troubling memoir of a teen who is ripped from her house, and taken away to a camp where she would be forced to become a good kid. The author admits that she was wild, but the things that the camps did was demoralizing, meant to break you. She is cut off from everyone, and forced to go on hikes, or dig ditches, or build new tents for the camp. And if she was really good she could go to the school they offered.
Sofia kept a journal which she refers back to in this telling, and she made friends with some of the other girls in the system, and she meets up with them, or writes to them, as she is moved from camp to camp, simply because after coming out of one, she has a hard time reentering society. Her mother figures it is making her “good” again. If anything, it makes her want to rebel more.
Sad, heart wrenching story. I feel for her, though I get that her mother thought she was out of control. But to turn your child over, as though they were a bad dog, and had to be disciplined says a lot about this troubled teen industry makes people think about their kids. My heart hurt so much for her, and what she went through.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is available the 10th of March 2026.
Sofia kept a journal which she refers back to in this telling, and she made friends with some of the other girls in the system, and she meets up with them, or writes to them, as she is moved from camp to camp, simply because after coming out of one, she has a hard time reentering society. Her mother figures it is making her “good” again. If anything, it makes her want to rebel more.
Sad, heart wrenching story. I feel for her, though I get that her mother thought she was out of control. But to turn your child over, as though they were a bad dog, and had to be disciplined says a lot about this troubled teen industry makes people think about their kids. My heart hurt so much for her, and what she went through.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is available the 10th of March 2026.
March 16, 2026
Bad Kid is a raw & deeply personal graphic memoir in which Sofia Szamosi recounts her experience inside the so-called “troubled teen” industry of the early 2000s. At just thirteen years old, Sofia is forcibly taken from her home & sent to a “therapeutic wilderness program,” beginning a two-year journey through multiple residential behavioral facilities. What follows is a sobering look at a largely unregulated system that promises rehabilitation but often delivers isolation, punishment, & trauma.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is its visual style. The stark black, white, & red color palette gives the story a sense of urgency & emotional intensity. The limited color scheme highlights moments of anger, fear, & defiance in a way that fits the tone of the memoir. The art style is expressive & intimate, making the reader feel close to Sofia’s internal world. However, there were moments where the lettering was so small that it became difficult to read, which occasionally disrupted the flow of the story.
What makes Bad Kid particularly compelling is that it feels less like a polished narrative & more like a therapeutic act. The memoir reads as though Szamosi is processing these experiences in real time, using art as a way to unpack & reclaim her story. That honesty gives the book emotional weight. At the same time, some aspects of the situation remain only partially explored—especially the role of Sofia’s mother. The memoir touches on the fear & frustration that led her mother to send her away, but it doesn’t fully confront the painful reality that Sofia was removed from her home largely because her behavior was perceived as disruptive to her mother’s life with her partner. That absence leaves an emotional gap in the narrative.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Bad Kid is how it challenges the label in its title. Throughout the memoir, Szamosi never really presents evidence that she was a “bad kid” at all. Much of her behavior seems like typical teenage rebellion—something many adolescents experience, especially while navigating the upheaval of their parents’ divorce. Instead of receiving therapy or support, she was placed in institutions that stripped away basic freedoms, monitored communication with family, & encouraged teenagers to police one another. The book highlights how these programs can resemble carceral environments more than therapeutic ones.
By sharing her story, Szamosi raises awareness about the troubling power these facilities can wield over vulnerable young people. The memoir suggests that rather than helping teenagers heal, many of these institutions compound trauma while presenting themselves as solutions to worried parents. In that sense, Bad Kid functions as both a coming-of-age story & a quiet act of activism.
Despite a few readability issues & some narrative gaps, Bad Kid is an important & emotionally resonant work. Szamosi’s willingness to revisit painful memories helps illuminate the experiences of countless teens who were labeled “troubled” & sent away. It’s a powerful reminder of how damaging labels can be—and how art can become a way to reclaim identity & heal. Hopefully, books like this will continue to shine a light on these systems & push for change so that fewer young people have to endure them.
*I received an advance review copy for free & I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
#ThankGodForARCs
One of the most striking aspects of the book is its visual style. The stark black, white, & red color palette gives the story a sense of urgency & emotional intensity. The limited color scheme highlights moments of anger, fear, & defiance in a way that fits the tone of the memoir. The art style is expressive & intimate, making the reader feel close to Sofia’s internal world. However, there were moments where the lettering was so small that it became difficult to read, which occasionally disrupted the flow of the story.
What makes Bad Kid particularly compelling is that it feels less like a polished narrative & more like a therapeutic act. The memoir reads as though Szamosi is processing these experiences in real time, using art as a way to unpack & reclaim her story. That honesty gives the book emotional weight. At the same time, some aspects of the situation remain only partially explored—especially the role of Sofia’s mother. The memoir touches on the fear & frustration that led her mother to send her away, but it doesn’t fully confront the painful reality that Sofia was removed from her home largely because her behavior was perceived as disruptive to her mother’s life with her partner. That absence leaves an emotional gap in the narrative.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Bad Kid is how it challenges the label in its title. Throughout the memoir, Szamosi never really presents evidence that she was a “bad kid” at all. Much of her behavior seems like typical teenage rebellion—something many adolescents experience, especially while navigating the upheaval of their parents’ divorce. Instead of receiving therapy or support, she was placed in institutions that stripped away basic freedoms, monitored communication with family, & encouraged teenagers to police one another. The book highlights how these programs can resemble carceral environments more than therapeutic ones.
By sharing her story, Szamosi raises awareness about the troubling power these facilities can wield over vulnerable young people. The memoir suggests that rather than helping teenagers heal, many of these institutions compound trauma while presenting themselves as solutions to worried parents. In that sense, Bad Kid functions as both a coming-of-age story & a quiet act of activism.
Despite a few readability issues & some narrative gaps, Bad Kid is an important & emotionally resonant work. Szamosi’s willingness to revisit painful memories helps illuminate the experiences of countless teens who were labeled “troubled” & sent away. It’s a powerful reminder of how damaging labels can be—and how art can become a way to reclaim identity & heal. Hopefully, books like this will continue to shine a light on these systems & push for change so that fewer young people have to endure them.
*I received an advance review copy for free & I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
#ThankGodForARCs
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Net Galley for providing me an ARC to review. As a high school librarian, I'm always looking for books that genuinely connect with students. Especially thos who struggle to see themselves as readers. Bad Kid: A Graphic Memoir by Sofia Szamosi is exactly that kind of book. The graphic format makes the story immediately accessible, and the black-and white artwork punctuated with a striking red pop of color is both visually engaging and emotionally powerful. The topic content deals with situations every teenager will face. The point of view is excellent. It holds true to the perspective of a high school student, without their brain being full developed until adulthood and all the choices/mistakes made when dealing in adolescense.
Beyond its strong design, this memoir shines an important light on the troubled on the troubled teen industry and the lasting impact it can have on young people. Szamosi's honesty invites empathy without oversimplifying complex experiences, making it a meaningful read for teens who may feel misunderstood or marginalized. This book is not only compelling - it's validating. Szamosi also incorporates her actual diary entries, with her handwriting, and real pictures of herself during this time in her life. It helps remind the reader that although this is in a graphic format, the story remains true. Our author really did go through this situation.
There are some gaps and holes within the storyline. This is typical in memoirs. I was left wondering what was the catelyst of the memoir. What did she do in order to have her mom think the only viable option was to send her away. We also are left wondering how things ended up for the author. Was she able to patch her relationship with her family? What was her next step?
Finally, this book sheds light on the troubled teen industry. It takes you through the motions of what living in a residential program would look like. More terrifyingly, it describes a scenario where your parents are pitted against you and lied to about progress being made. Through news stories, we have found these stories to be true, and that is so sad for our youth.
Beyond its strong design, this memoir shines an important light on the troubled on the troubled teen industry and the lasting impact it can have on young people. Szamosi's honesty invites empathy without oversimplifying complex experiences, making it a meaningful read for teens who may feel misunderstood or marginalized. This book is not only compelling - it's validating. Szamosi also incorporates her actual diary entries, with her handwriting, and real pictures of herself during this time in her life. It helps remind the reader that although this is in a graphic format, the story remains true. Our author really did go through this situation.
There are some gaps and holes within the storyline. This is typical in memoirs. I was left wondering what was the catelyst of the memoir. What did she do in order to have her mom think the only viable option was to send her away. We also are left wondering how things ended up for the author. Was she able to patch her relationship with her family? What was her next step?
Finally, this book sheds light on the troubled teen industry. It takes you through the motions of what living in a residential program would look like. More terrifyingly, it describes a scenario where your parents are pitted against you and lied to about progress being made. Through news stories, we have found these stories to be true, and that is so sad for our youth.
December 10, 2025
I was excited to get an ARC of this book, as it was already on my radar!
The art wasn't my favorite, but it did remind me a bit of Persepolis, and despite the simple 'zine style, I found it fairly easy to tell who was who, which is sometimes an issue for me with sketchy b&w graphic novels.
The end was pretty rushed and a bit overly simplified, but I found most of this book so engaging and heartbreaking. One of my siblings was sent into a program like the one Szamosi talks about, and in a weird way I feel like reading this book brought me closer to their perspective. It's also raised some questions for me about the logic of parents who ship their kids off like this, and given that my dad *did* this... wow. All this to say that I related to this story in a way that some readers may not, and it definitely impacted my appreciation of Szamosi's work.
It's interesting what Szamosi chose to put on the page vs. what she referred to in her notes, as some of the more specifically upsetting events are little more than footnotes. Reading someone's memoir and going "Please explore MORE of your trauma for me!" always feels like a dick move, so I will say that there were places where I wanted more information, and the end felt too tidy and abrupt. Overall, though, this was an interesting read on a topic that I almost never see people talk about despite its widespread impact on young people.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the advance copy.
The art wasn't my favorite, but it did remind me a bit of Persepolis, and despite the simple 'zine style, I found it fairly easy to tell who was who, which is sometimes an issue for me with sketchy b&w graphic novels.
The end was pretty rushed and a bit overly simplified, but I found most of this book so engaging and heartbreaking. One of my siblings was sent into a program like the one Szamosi talks about, and in a weird way I feel like reading this book brought me closer to their perspective. It's also raised some questions for me about the logic of parents who ship their kids off like this, and given that my dad *did* this... wow. All this to say that I related to this story in a way that some readers may not, and it definitely impacted my appreciation of Szamosi's work.
It's interesting what Szamosi chose to put on the page vs. what she referred to in her notes, as some of the more specifically upsetting events are little more than footnotes. Reading someone's memoir and going "Please explore MORE of your trauma for me!" always feels like a dick move, so I will say that there were places where I wanted more information, and the end felt too tidy and abrupt. Overall, though, this was an interesting read on a topic that I almost never see people talk about despite its widespread impact on young people.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the advance copy.
April 26, 2026
This isn't your typical art style but that's what makes it special and also more memoir than a run-of-the-mill graphic novel memoir publication. Szamosi ended up sucked into the gyre of the bad kids industry that sent kids to teen camps, retreats, juvenile lockups, and facilities for pushing back, being unruly, drinking, drugging, or other unsavory elements that frightened parents.
Because Sofia's mom and her were close, until they weren't in Sofia's teens because her mom ended up remarrying, things changed drastically for Sofia. She was shipped off for months and over a year's time to these camps and retreats that reinforced (oftentimes) the behaviors in a bullying atmosphere rather than trying to heal the issues.
The memoir doesn't hide much and that's why it's appreciated. She also includes ripped pieces from her own diaries from that time while demonstrating the fear of being taken in the night by men bringing her to these facilities and the humiliation of not having personal space.
An important memoir in the graphic novel format that could pair well with Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town that Looked Away.
Because Sofia's mom and her were close, until they weren't in Sofia's teens because her mom ended up remarrying, things changed drastically for Sofia. She was shipped off for months and over a year's time to these camps and retreats that reinforced (oftentimes) the behaviors in a bullying atmosphere rather than trying to heal the issues.
The memoir doesn't hide much and that's why it's appreciated. She also includes ripped pieces from her own diaries from that time while demonstrating the fear of being taken in the night by men bringing her to these facilities and the humiliation of not having personal space.
An important memoir in the graphic novel format that could pair well with Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town that Looked Away.
March 24, 2026
Sofia is a troubled teen. At thirteen, she rebels against her college professor mother and her live-in boyfriend by drinking, smoking, and staying out late with friends. When her mother can’t take it anymore, she sends Sofia away to a “therapeutic wilderness program.” Two men barge in Sofia's room, throw her in a van, and whisk her away to a camp filled with other girls like her, where she must stay until she’s no longer a “bad kid”.
Sofia learns to play the game. She follows the rules at camp until she’s released, goes back home, gets in trouble again, and then is sent to a different camp. This is how she spends her teenage years, unable to change the anger and self loathing that makes her a danger to herself.
I’ve known teens who’ve been sent to these wilderness camps so it was interesting to see how they operate. In the short term, the strict rules and physical tasks help Sofia manage her behavior, but the camps don’t help her address the underlying issues making her so miserable. Her struggle is heartbreaking (and relatable) and the reader follows her journey, hoping a recovery is possible.
Sofia learns to play the game. She follows the rules at camp until she’s released, goes back home, gets in trouble again, and then is sent to a different camp. This is how she spends her teenage years, unable to change the anger and self loathing that makes her a danger to herself.
I’ve known teens who’ve been sent to these wilderness camps so it was interesting to see how they operate. In the short term, the strict rules and physical tasks help Sofia manage her behavior, but the camps don’t help her address the underlying issues making her so miserable. Her struggle is heartbreaking (and relatable) and the reader follows her journey, hoping a recovery is possible.
November 16, 2025
Sofia Szamosi's Bad Kid graphic memoir is a difficult read, one that will definitely trigger dark or sad emotions in a vast number of people. There were certainly experiences the author went through and therefore depicted that were tough for me to read. Even with that, though, the thing I find most helpful and perhaps even inspiring about this book is the fact that it will likely help some of those who have had similar experiences.
This book not only has a catharsis opportunity for the author, but it offers solidarity and potential catharsis for others. And there's a lot to be said for that. While I don't see this as the sort of book I would reread, I do think it's an important one. And if it helps even one person that it reaches in the future, this book has made an exceptional place for itself in the world.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book not only has a catharsis opportunity for the author, but it offers solidarity and potential catharsis for others. And there's a lot to be said for that. While I don't see this as the sort of book I would reread, I do think it's an important one. And if it helps even one person that it reaches in the future, this book has made an exceptional place for itself in the world.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2025
Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing this book for review consideration via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
This was a fascinating and important read. We are finally coming to a time where we are openly discussing these "Teen Rehabilitation Wilderness Camps," and seeing them for what they are: abusive, manipulative, and generally unable to help with the things they promise desperate parents that they will fix.
Sofia's experiences are heartbreaking and painful, and it is plain that it is not these "camps" that save her - it is therapy, love, and growth.
The art style is in perfect harmony with the text, making it clear that the author is as comfortable with images as words, and her story comes through loud and clear.
My only quibble is I would have loved to see more of her journey as she gradually saves herself in her young adulthood.
This would be a timely and needed addition to any library's young adult graphic novel collection.
This was a fascinating and important read. We are finally coming to a time where we are openly discussing these "Teen Rehabilitation Wilderness Camps," and seeing them for what they are: abusive, manipulative, and generally unable to help with the things they promise desperate parents that they will fix.
Sofia's experiences are heartbreaking and painful, and it is plain that it is not these "camps" that save her - it is therapy, love, and growth.
The art style is in perfect harmony with the text, making it clear that the author is as comfortable with images as words, and her story comes through loud and clear.
My only quibble is I would have loved to see more of her journey as she gradually saves herself in her young adulthood.
This would be a timely and needed addition to any library's young adult graphic novel collection.
November 28, 2025
I am a big fan of any graphic memoir, so I was excited to read this ARC of Sofia Szamosi's Bad Kid. It follows Sofia who, at 13-years-old, was taken away to a therapeutic wilderness camp far away from home. She flashes back to her life as a "bad kid" and her time at one camp and then another. The story was moving and powerful, funny at times, upsetting at others as the author shares her experiences. She is sent away to other camps, and it becomes clear that these camps are highly problematic in their attempts to "reform" these "bad kids." The graphics are mostly black and white with emphatic uses of red throughout, which I really appreciated. There are also elements from the author's actual journals growing up. Make no mistake, there are challenging topics in this story as the author experienced them, so it may not be the best fit for all teens, but it is a powerful, moving story, and I'm glad to have read it. Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for this ARC.
March 17, 2026
Szamosi has obviously done a lot of healing and unpacking to write a book that is so forthright. She explores an industry that, thankfully, is beginning to receive the criticism it deserves, while also not sugar-coating the interactions that led her mom to make the decisions that she did. The empathy that she demonstrates is staggering, though she unfortunately does very little to unpack where her father was in all of this (honestly, until the flashbacks exploring her disordered eating, I thought he was either unknown or dead).
The inclusion of art from her original journals adds depth to her commentary, and the general art is evocative in its jagged lines and use of red to denote other folks who are similarly being treated as "troubled" kids.
It seems from the use of her inner knot as the mechanism for delivering acknowledgements that Szamosi has come to terms with it, and I wish her much peace.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an eARC.
The inclusion of art from her original journals adds depth to her commentary, and the general art is evocative in its jagged lines and use of red to denote other folks who are similarly being treated as "troubled" kids.
It seems from the use of her inner knot as the mechanism for delivering acknowledgements that Szamosi has come to terms with it, and I wish her much peace.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an eARC.
April 14, 2026
Bad Kid (A Graphic Memoir) is a deeply moving and eye-opening account of life inside the so-called “troubled teen” industry. Sofia Szamosi tells her story with honesty and emotional clarity, shedding light on an experience that is both personal and widely relevant.
What makes this memoir especially powerful is its unflinching look at what it means to be labeled and removed from your environment at such a young age. The sense of isolation, confusion, and loss of control is portrayed in a way that feels both intimate and impactful.
At the same time, the book explores identity and resilience, showing how difficult experiences can shape, but not define a person. The graphic format enhances the emotional weight of the story, making it even more immediate and accessible.
A courageous, important, and unforgettable memoir that gives voice to experiences that deserve to be heard and understood.
What makes this memoir especially powerful is its unflinching look at what it means to be labeled and removed from your environment at such a young age. The sense of isolation, confusion, and loss of control is portrayed in a way that feels both intimate and impactful.
At the same time, the book explores identity and resilience, showing how difficult experiences can shape, but not define a person. The graphic format enhances the emotional weight of the story, making it even more immediate and accessible.
A courageous, important, and unforgettable memoir that gives voice to experiences that deserve to be heard and understood.
May 2, 2026
Bad Kid, My Life as a "Troubled Teen" is a graphic memoir which is clearly rooted in deeply personal experiences. I found myself feeling a great deal of empathy for Sofia Szamosi's journey. The themes of feeling overlooked, navigating family changes, and enduring difficult experiences in residential home settings are portrayed with honesty and emotional weight. There’s no question that the story comes from a place of truth, and that authenticity is powerful.
That said, while I can appreciate Szamosi’s perspective and the importance of sharing her experiences, the overall content, including the language, intensity of the situations, and some of the graphic depictions, makes this a challenging fit for a younger audience. As an educator, I have to be mindful of what I can confidently place in a classroom or library setting. Ultimately, Bad Kid, My Life as a "Troubled Teen" falls outside those guidelines for me.
#Advancedreadercopies
#ReluctantReaderReads
#NetGalley
#ARC
That said, while I can appreciate Szamosi’s perspective and the importance of sharing her experiences, the overall content, including the language, intensity of the situations, and some of the graphic depictions, makes this a challenging fit for a younger audience. As an educator, I have to be mindful of what I can confidently place in a classroom or library setting. Ultimately, Bad Kid, My Life as a "Troubled Teen" falls outside those guidelines for me.
#Advancedreadercopies
#ReluctantReaderReads
#NetGalley
#ARC
March 10, 2026
I'm not sure why I initially decided to pick up this book but I'm glad I did. I think it was the label that called to me. Because even if you weren't a "bad kid" maybe you hit a certain age and you were made to feel like you were, I certainly was, and I didnt do half the things the other did. And yet, Sofia is infinitely relatable. Her artwork is reminiscent of Persepolis and parts of her journey reminded me a little of White Oleander. Who is more messed up--her? or the adults? I did not even know there was a "bad kid" industry. Shame on them. At the end, she seems to have reconciled with her mother (I sure hope so). She deserves to be happy.
Thank you to NetGalley for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2026
Ok so, on one end I do feel bad for Sofia and what she went through being sent to so many “treatment centres”.
But on the other end I don’t know why she was so bad just because her mom got a boyfriend? I get that she missed the closeness and just being her and mom, but it seems she was so mean to her mom, drank and did drugs just because her mom found happiness for awhile with a guy? Did her mom not give her attention or something? But it genuine felt like her mom tried and was really trying to support her. I don’t know. I’m sorry but she was a bad teenager…. I don’t think her mom should have sent her to a treatment centre for the second time, but I think she genuinely didn’t know what else to do. Sofia seemed very ungrateful and just hated her mom for no reason. Just my opinion!
But on the other end I don’t know why she was so bad just because her mom got a boyfriend? I get that she missed the closeness and just being her and mom, but it seems she was so mean to her mom, drank and did drugs just because her mom found happiness for awhile with a guy? Did her mom not give her attention or something? But it genuine felt like her mom tried and was really trying to support her. I don’t know. I’m sorry but she was a bad teenager…. I don’t think her mom should have sent her to a treatment centre for the second time, but I think she genuinely didn’t know what else to do. Sofia seemed very ungrateful and just hated her mom for no reason. Just my opinion!
November 16, 2025
Bad Kid is a heartbreaking insider look of a child’s experience in the abusive troubled teen industry. Utilizing art to tell her story, author Sofia Szamosi tells her truth as a “bad kid” and how she survived 16+ months at a variety of “wilderness schools” as a young teen. This is an incredibly powerful story. My heart consistently broke for Szamosi. My only negative feedback for this absolute work of art is that the ending seemed abrupt- however, I would not be surprised if that was the author‘s intent… All she wanted, as a young teen, was to live a quiet, comfortable, and safe life. 4⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the novel Bad Kid (A Graphic Memoir).
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the novel Bad Kid (A Graphic Memoir).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As if being thirteen was not bad enough, Sofia had everything she had ever known taken away by two strangers. They kidnap her in the middle of the night to take her to a behavioral correction facility far, far away from her mom. There is not much contact allowed with her mother, whom has sowed enough discord in their relationship by sending Sofia away to these “BAD KID camps". It seems like the programs were bad enough, but to also be surrounded by the toxic societal order and lack of schooling in these camps she was sent to, Sofia is extremely brave to put her thoughts, feelings, and blood into this graphic novel.
#ThxNetGalley #SofiaSzamosi #BadKid
#ThxNetGalley #SofiaSzamosi #BadKid
April 11, 2026
This was a troubling and heartbreaking read…
As a mother, it hurt to read how a child can be troubled so deeply and not know how to help them! I sympathized with Szamosi and her struggles to fit in and find good, healthy relationships as a teen. I hope she has healed and that her story brings forth change in the “troubled teen” therapy industry.
I read the digital format of this graphic memoir so I found the font hard to read, at times. I really liked how Szamosi shared snippets of her journal entries and old pictures of herself. I appreciated the simplistic artwork and the pops of red in the black and white background.
4 ⭐️
As a mother, it hurt to read how a child can be troubled so deeply and not know how to help them! I sympathized with Szamosi and her struggles to fit in and find good, healthy relationships as a teen. I hope she has healed and that her story brings forth change in the “troubled teen” therapy industry.
I read the digital format of this graphic memoir so I found the font hard to read, at times. I really liked how Szamosi shared snippets of her journal entries and old pictures of herself. I appreciated the simplistic artwork and the pops of red in the black and white background.
4 ⭐️
April 27, 2026
This is a real page turner. Sofia is a naughty teenager going through a lot of stuff and coping by back talking, bulimia, and doing drugs, so her mom and her stepdad have her sent to one of those wilderness camps where they kidnap you from your bed and drag you away and make you rake the forest and sleep in a tent as “therapy.” I tended to think that it was hardcore Christians who did this to their kids, but Sofia’s mom is a professor, so the pamphlets showing teens horseback riding and playing volleyball sucked her in too. The “troubled teen” industry is pretty evil! Sofia may have forgiven her mom, but I haven’t.
May 2, 2026
Sofia's story is heartbreaking to read. The visual, particularly of her inner turmoil, really jumped out at me as a way to understand the messy feelings of adolescence. Graphic novels have a way of sticking with me, if the illustrator manages to resonate with the feelings of the character really well. Bad Kid is a great example of this. It lays out the facts of Sofia's childhood and teen years in a straightforward way, while allowing her feelings about events to really show through. While I know places like these residential programs exist, the realities are shocking and scary, particularly the lack of communication with families. This memoir is well done, sobering and needed.
May 10, 2026
"sometimes I don't feel that I have changed at all my whole life"
while this was a great look at how long and grueling (and entirely ineffective) these "treatment camps" are, I wish we spent more time learning how she started her process of healing, it felt very rushed and could've been a great opportunity to give teens some ideas. I know it's mentioned in the note at the end that everyone has to find their own way to heal, but she could've shown a snapshot of each of her friends she made during this time too and how they are healing now (I hope they are). I also wanted more of her diary entries, it made it feel more real and emotional
while this was a great look at how long and grueling (and entirely ineffective) these "treatment camps" are, I wish we spent more time learning how she started her process of healing, it felt very rushed and could've been a great opportunity to give teens some ideas. I know it's mentioned in the note at the end that everyone has to find their own way to heal, but she could've shown a snapshot of each of her friends she made during this time too and how they are healing now (I hope they are). I also wanted more of her diary entries, it made it feel more real and emotional
May 11, 2026
Woah. I would describe both the drawings and the story itself as beautiful, and heartbreaking, and darkly funny. Even though this was not my personal experience (which I am very grateful for), I felt deeply connected to many of the scenes about being an adolescent girl during the early 2000s. The images of text from her actual journals during that time were gut wrenching, and made me want to put my little girls in a time freeze so they never have to experience those feelings (which felt so, so familiar). I bombed through this in one day because I literally could not put it down, but I will definitely revisit it in the future and take some more time with it.
March 11, 2026
This was a really good look at an industry that was geared for "troubled teens", but it can be hard to read because of what the author went through. (Definitely triggers for abuse, depression, institutionalization, and eating disorders. There may be more but those are the main ones I think.)
Still, I think this is an important examination of how one teen felt broken and the industry that was supposed to help, but just ended up creating more trauma. Definitely a recommended read if you can handle the content.
Still, I think this is an important examination of how one teen felt broken and the industry that was supposed to help, but just ended up creating more trauma. Definitely a recommended read if you can handle the content.
March 21, 2026
First note it for publisher. hate the paper choice with the ink type. pages are heavy ,stick together, and will not last in the binding due to the wait.
This one's a very dark, graphic, and tremendously sad story of her being sent to "intervention camps"as they called in my hometown. I have many friends and some family that were sent to them and the stories track, and the outcomes are similar. the art fills typical the style of story , but it also showed her personality , which was very enlightening.
This one's a very dark, graphic, and tremendously sad story of her being sent to "intervention camps"as they called in my hometown. I have many friends and some family that were sent to them and the stories track, and the outcomes are similar. the art fills typical the style of story , but it also showed her personality , which was very enlightening.
March 29, 2026
A memoir of the author's teen years, where instead of going to prom, and going out with friends, Sofia instead spends years at various "therapeutic" programs designed for "troubled teens". The hurt and trauma and occasional moments of hope that are seen through the author's eyes. The artwork is both beautiful and heartbreaking. This is a brave book, that I hope finds it's way into the hands of people who would be helped by reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Readers for an ARC of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Readers for an ARC of this book.
April 3, 2026
Adolescence is an animal that attacks all at our most vulnerable, without help of anyone else. Sofia boldly remembers such painful details of that time that resonate deeply throughout the ages 13-18. It seems we come from generations before us that view this coming-of-age time as punitive....for the transgressions of growth. Though our history is very different, I connect with the most lonely and empty feelings expressed in these pages. I wish I had this title when I felt that way, but I am so happy to see it circulate through hands at the present.
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May 7, 2026This graphic memoir covers the teenage years of the author as she is forced to go to multiple “wilderness” camps for “troubled” teens. If you have been interested in the somewhat recent conversation around the trouble teen industry, this memoir could be a good edition to your knowledge. I found the color palette, inserts from her journal, and raw recollections incredibly compelling. The authors note at the end gave somewhat of an epilogue, in that we see who she thanks. But I found myself a bit frustrated by the abrupt ending to the book.
April 1, 2026
Fictionalized autobiography recounting the authors teenage years in which she was sent away by her parent/stepparent for rehabilitation to teen wilderness camps. Art style is dark (black/white with red for emphasis) but suitable for subject. Author’s rebellions are understandable and parents overreaction is actually shown to reader as an act of desperation and being preyed upon by an industry that survives by keeping the kids in the program. Still difficult to read.
December 7, 2025
Sofia's graphic memoir depicts her troubled teen years and the various resident therapy programs she stayed in. I like the overall message at the end, but I'm not sure that the story or the art style will keep most teen readers engaged. Probably not one I'll end up purchasing.
I read an ARC from Edelweiss.
I read an ARC from Edelweiss.
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