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A review by jgintrovertedreader
Punching Bag by Rex Ogle
4.0
Rex Ogle’s mother and stepfather physically and emotionally abused him when he was a child. In his second memoir, Punching Bag, he describes unimaginable incidents that are a terrible reality for far too many children. An alcoholic stepfather who continues the cycle of abuse that he experienced as a child himself. An unstable mother who is both victim and abuser. A younger brother who must be protected at all costs. A younger sister, Marisa, whom his mother lost in a late-term miscarriage after a particularly brutal beating.
Yet Ogle’s message is ultimately one of hope. Thoughts of Marisa, who never got a chance at life, guide him through his most difficult days. As he writes in his author’s note, “I lived this, I survived. You survived your past too, or you wouldn’t be here reading this. We are both alive. We may have a few more scars than we’d like—inside or out—but we made it through. No matter how dark the past, or even the present, the sun will always come up tomorrow. There is hope.” He accordingly refers readers to appropriate resources and hotlines at the end of the book. Teens in similar situations are sure to relate to Ogle’s life story—and find reasons to carry on.
Yet Ogle’s message is ultimately one of hope. Thoughts of Marisa, who never got a chance at life, guide him through his most difficult days. As he writes in his author’s note, “I lived this, I survived. You survived your past too, or you wouldn’t be here reading this. We are both alive. We may have a few more scars than we’d like—inside or out—but we made it through. No matter how dark the past, or even the present, the sun will always come up tomorrow. There is hope.” He accordingly refers readers to appropriate resources and hotlines at the end of the book. Teens in similar situations are sure to relate to Ogle’s life story—and find reasons to carry on.