This October, during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month and National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, a brave young voice is stepping forward to spark a conversation that has been ignored for far too long. At just 13 years old, Kaylee J. is using her story to bring awareness to the emotional impact of addiction on children. Her debut book, When Silence Speaks: Where Addiction Lives, Children Suffer in Silence, will be released on October 31, 2025.
Through raw honesty and heartfelt storytelling, Kaylee J. gives voice to children living in homes affected by addiction—those who endure chaos, confusion, and heartbreak behind closed doors, often unseen and unheard.
“I didn’t write this book to expose anyone or make people feel sorry for me,” Kaylee writes. “I wrote this for the kids who are still living in the middle of quiet pain—the ones who feel invisible in their own homes.”
A staggering one in four U.S. children — nearly 19 million — lives with at least one parent who has a substance use disorder. This statistic underscores the scale of the crisis and a central reason why Kaylee’s message matters.
Her book paints a deeply human portrait of resilience, hope, and the power of truth. When Silence Speaks offers a glimpse into the emotional world of children affected by substance abuse and invites families and communities to start the conversations that lead to healing.
Revealing the quiet reality of millions of children growing up surrounded by addiction, When Silence Speaks offers both a mirror and a message: it’s time for adults to look closer and recognize the real-time effects addiction has on the young lives around them.
Kaylee credits her aunt, Luwana Holmes, for her constant love and encouragement, and her mentor and Brand Manager, Tephanie Delaney, Founder of Brand Like a Celebrity, for helping her bring her story to life.
“Kaylee’s courage reminds us that healing begins when truth finds its voice,” says Delaney. “She’s giving a face to the silent pain so many children carry and calling on adults to truly see it.”
Beyond its pages, When Silence Speaks serves as an act of healing—urging readers, parents, and teachers alike to hear the quiet stories, confront the truth, and begin the dialogue that transforms pain into purpose.
When Silence Speaks will be available beginning October 31, 2025, in paperback and digital formats through major online retailers.
About the Author
Kaylee J., age 13, is an author and advocate using her story to shine light on the effects of addiction on children and families. Through When Silence Speaks, she hopes to help adults better understand how addiction impacts the young people around them in real time — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Her goal is to encourage more awareness, empathy, and open conversations that lead to healing and change.
Kaylee’s book will be available on Amazon, barnes&noble.com or at Kayleesdiary.org
Media Contact
Company Name: Brand Like A Celebrity®?
Contact Person: Tephanie Delaney
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: kayleesdiary.org