Good Juju, Bad Juju

My life as a jock, addict, teacher, playwright and medical case

Over his short life, Penn was a jock, a habitual drinker, a drug addict, a drug counselor, a middle school science teacher and a playwright. He was popular with the girls in high school and shared a rebellious lifestyle with his many friends, experimenting with alcohol and drugs. When his adventures landed him in jail at 21, he was ashamed to return to his hometown and began a successful struggle for recovery. He was in prime when his past came back to haunt him in the form of a hepatitis C infection he had contracted by sharing needles with his friends. He died of a failed liver transplant.

Good JuJu, Bad Juju is more than the recounting of a boy's life. It is a powerful saga that speaks to the fragility of life, the impact of our decisions, and the human spirit's capacity to seek redemption and meaning in the face of overwhelming adversity. This memoir invites readers to reflect on their own choices, making it an essential read for anyone navigating the complexities of growth, battling the shadows of their past, or seeking to find light in times of darkness.