A children's book about drugs and addiction for ages 10 and up. Told with humor and pathos by the sassy but lovable family cat. Educational without being preachy. Parents can read this book with their younger children. It is a fictionalized account of the author's son's struggle with drugs and his ultimate death. Consistently on Amazon.com's Best Sellers List in Substance Abuse
Scott is a typical young male of age 16 who has his own band. Plays the guitar, surfs, reads and writes. Handsome and intelligent. He has the world by the tail...until a bandmate introduces him to cocaine on his 17th birthday.
From that point on begins his long, 14 year struggle with the Addiction Monster, trying desperately to free himself of the Monster. In and out of rehabs with no success. Finally the Monster won, leaving his family devastated and the cat bereft.
The cat takes you on Scott's journey from a wonderful, drug-free existence to the inevitable end. You'll love the cat who is quite full of himself and brings needed humor to the story.
You won't forget the cat, or Scott or the book's important message. Recommended for ages 10 and up to adult.
Excerpt
He'd also do what I came to call the Mix and Match. He'd eat scoops of ice cream and then the next minute he'd be munching on a cold piece of chicken, and then on to something sweet again. Didn't matter what it was as long as it was tasty and there was plenty of it.
"Pumpkin, I've got major munchies" Scott would giggle. At first I wondered who this Major Munchies was. A new friend with an odd first name? Someone he was holding hostage? What was going on? I wondered where I could find this Major Munchies.
As I've said I'm not only outrageously handsome but also very, very intelligent. It didn't take too long to figure out that whenever Scott was smoking his weed, he would have the Major Munchies. Ah,I get it now! That's what he called his really big appetite that overtook him after every joint.
Professional Reviews
A Must Read for principals, teachers, parents and students
"I have read The Addiction Monster and the Square Cat and believe it is a must read for principals, teachers, parents, and students... Mrs. McGinnis knows that we need to do a better job of educating students at a younger age. Only a parent who has lost a child can offer the hope and understanding to families. As a retired high school principal,I commend Mrs. McGinnis for all of her work. I highly recommend this book."
Tom Dragich, retired principal EFHS, Fairmont, WV
It is time to get started on the Addiction Monster and the Square Cat
"Sheryl McGinnis has done it again. Sheryl has the unique ability to create books that will elicit conversation and dialog between an adult and child. Sheryl weaves her personal family story into one that a creative adult can use to begin helping a child understand the dangers of drugs and alcohol at an early age. If you have a young child, it is time to get started on The Addiction Monster and the Square Cat."
Larry Golbom, R.Ph., MBA host of the Prescription Addiction Radio Show, Tampa, FL.
This was Fantastic!
"This was fantastic! I had to keep reading when I started. This is a great educational book for parents to read to kids about addiction. The perspective from the cat was great. I loved it."
Amy AJ Crowell, Author of Loved Back To Life, Richardson, TX
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