On August 9th, 2022, Jennette McCurdy released her long-awaited memoir titled I’m Glad My Mom Died. McCurdy is most known for her role as Samantha Puckett on Nickelodeon shows iCarly and Sam & Cat. She was born in Long Island, California, but was raised in Garden Grove. She started acting at the age of 6, with small guest roles before her big break as Sam Puckett. Many former fans came together, ready to read about what such a beloved figure in so many people’s childhoods had to say. 

The book follows McCurdy’s life, from her childhood with a narcissistic and abusive mother that forces her to pursue acting, to her rise to fame brings along many mental illnesses, toxic relationships, and substance abuse issues. It shows the highs and lows of child stardom. McCurdy revealed many secrets about her life and relationships that she had kept hidden for so long. 

There are many things I loved about this book. The cover art for this book is full of small details that bring everything together. The cover’s color palette consists of pink and yellow, which catches the reader’s eye. McCurdy is seen on the cover with a tight-lipped smile as she holds a pink urn with confetti inside.  

The writing has an almost comical tone, which contrasts with the dark subject matter. I believe this was done on purpose, not only to keep the reader immersed, but to show her maturity, or lack thereof. McCurdy has a great ability at showcasing her naivety through her language and words. Although some of the books take place during her adulthood, the writing shows how even though she had aged and how she had never really been allowed to mature under her mother’s thumb.  

 I never felt bored while reading. This book never felt like a chore or something that I had to get done. The writing and pacing kept me on my toes throughout the whole story. Even simple things, like how certain words are all uppercase and bold, make the reading experience significantly more enjoyable. The most notable thing has to be McCurdy’s unwillingness to hold back. She tells her whole truth in this book, which is something I admire greatly from a memoir. 

I’m glad this book got written. Many child actors have gone through extensive abuse and trauma, and many of them get shut down when they try to speak out. McCurdy’s transparency sheds light on a long-standing issue in Hollywood. It also gave her the chance to get her truth out to people like me, who watched her growing up, not knowing what was going on behind the camera.