Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teen-Age Alcoholic
Coming-of-Age Social Issues Young Adult Problem Novel Addiction Fiction Teen Drama Vintage YA
Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teen-Age Alcoholic is the 1976 teen-issue classic that opened America’s eyes to adolescent alcoholism long before “YA problem novels” were common. In only 120 fast-moving pages, Robin S. Wagner follows straight-A freshman Sarah Tennison from her first nervous beer at a party to secret bottles in her bedroom, black-outs, and the moment she admits powerlessness. Written in clear, diary-like prose, the story still feels startlingly current—perfect for today’s readers searching for vintage YA fiction that confronts addiction without preachiness.
Collectors prize this first-edition paperback for its iconic Bob Peak cover photograph of a troubled teen staring into a shot glass; the image has become emblematic of 1970s young-adult publishing. Inside, the text is intact: no owner names, ex-library stamps, or remainder marks—just light cover scuffing, a few page marks, and one dog-eared corner, honest wear that confirms its classroom circulation when the book was new. The slender size makes it an easy shelf gem beside Go Ask Alice or The Bell Jar.
For parents, counselors, or nostalgic readers, Sarah T. offers a time-capsule discussion starter that still sparks conversation about peer pressure, family secrets, and recovery. Its scarcity in nice readable condition has driven online prices upward; owning a clean vintage copy is both a smart investment and a meaningful gift for anyone touched by teen addiction.
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