Good Kings, Bad Kings

Told in alternating perspectives by a varied and vocal cast of characters, Good Kings, Bad Kings pulls back the curtain to reveal the complicated, funny, and tough life inside the walls of ILLC an institution for juveniles with disabilities. From Yessenia Lopez, who dreams of her next boyfriend, to Teddy, a resident who dresses up daily in a full suit and tie, and Mia, who guards a terrifying secret, Nussbaum has crafted a multifaceted portrait of a way of life hidden from most of us. In their alliances, the residents ultimately find the strength to bond together, resist their mistreatment, and fight back. Good Kings, Bad Kings is a powerful and inspiring debut about young people whose lives have been irreversibly changed by misfortune, but whose voices resound with resilience, courage, and humour.