I am grateful for all the friendships and landscapes from my own childhood years that are woven into my heart and the heart of this book: New York City and PS 6, San Francisco, Mill Valley and Mill Valley Middle School, and Stinson Beach.

Thank you to my own mother, the artist, who, despite all of life’s challenges, championed art, creativity, feminism, freedom of expression, and taught me that nothing is impossible and that all people are worth it. So much of this book is for you.

Thank you to my son, Asa, and my daughters, Samaria and Caylao, for healing me, and filling my life with joy I can’t measure. You are my favorite human beings. Thank you for being so understanding during all the times that I had to “go and write.”

And most of all, thank you to my beautiful and fearless wife, Ella, for her unconditional love and support for me, for this book, and for this life we have built together. I am grateful every day.

Lastly, thank you to all the kids out there, just like Ari, whose stories have inspired me to write this book. I believe with all my heart that you can change the world!

Praise for All of Me

Praise for All of Me

“[All of Me] is for anyone who has been in search of a tribe, in love with a friend, or in need of answers to questions that they can’t bring themselves to ask. In other words, everybody.”  —San Diego Union-Tribune

“A beautifully written … and psychologically acute debut. Readers will be glad to accompany Ari on his journey to self-discovery.”  —Booklist

“Any reader who has felt like an outsider will be drawn to Ari’s story, which means his audience should be legion.”  —The Horn Book

“Baron’s free-verse poetry is immediate and lyrical, allowing us access to Ari’s thoughts and feelings in a way that prose would not. Baron’s first-person narration allows the reader to experience Ari’s pain and revelations, both of which are balanced with moments of grace and beauty … highly recommended for readers of all ages.”  —BookPage

“Tackling such difficult subjects as anti-Semitism, self-harm, and family instability with heartbreaking honesty and grace, All of Me deftly explores the complex layers of what it means to come of age. Baron’s evocative verse beautifully expresses the depth of Ari’s feelings; he will be a lifeline to anyone unsure of how they fit in the world.”  —Joy McCullough, National Book Award–nominated author of Blood Water Paint

“I LOVE THIS BOOK. A moving and raw story that will stay with me.”
—Remy Lai, author of Pie in the Sky

“Chris Baron’s gorgeous debut shines with strength, vulnerability, and humor. Ari’s journey to self-acceptance is hopeful and inspiring.”  —Jen Petro-Roy, author of Good Enough