her resilience and spirit. After barely surviving the streets of Russia as a young orphan, she was adopted at age 6 by an American couple who became her parents. Eventually confronting multiple mental health challenges and addictions, she demonstrates her immense strength and courage in this raw and unflinching account of her journey. It is Katia's ability to relate her obstacles through journaling that allow the reader

to share her most intimate inner workings toward healing. In her writings she portrays the complexities of her life, and demonstrates both her challenges and her growth.

Katia's message is an important one; your beginnings in life don't have to define your future path, but merely provide a springboard.