Stitches: A Memoir

Name: Stitches: A Memoir
Author: David Small

Not recommended

Content we'd steer families away from.

Published: 2009
Ages: 14–18

About the book

A graphic memoir about the author's traumatic childhood, including a battle with cancer that left him voiceless.

AI summary

A graphic memoir about the author's traumatic childhood, including a battle with cancer that left him voiceless.

Why parents choose this book

What makes Stitches: A Memoir worth choosing

An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.

Best for

Age range: 14–18 (fits siblings across a range).
Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
Kids who tend to love it: Biography.
Personality fit: kids ages 14–18 who enjoy a good story.

Parents love this book because

Written by David Small, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.

Your child will probably enjoy Stitches: A Memoir if they…

Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 14–18

This book helps develop

Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 14–18 age band.

Things parents should know

Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
Language: clean language throughout.

Reading commitment

Estimated reading time

Varies by reader

Length

Length varies by edition

Difficulty

Young adult

Works as read-aloud

Usually read independently

Good for independent readers

Yes — suits confident readers in the age band

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Why we recommend it

We don't broadly recommend Stitches: A Memoir for the 14–18 age band; see the notes above before choosing. It leans into biography in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. David Small's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.