Almost: A Childhood Survived

Almost A Childhood Survived  written by J.R. Barns under his real name Ray Hodges, is a raw and unfiltered memoir of a child who grew up in the shadow of violence, neglect, and emotional abandonment. Through vivid storytelling and painful honesty, Hodges takes readers inside a childhood defined by survival—early mornings spent doing farm chores before school, hiding from beatings, and enduring bullying while trying to make sense of a fractured family. This is not a tale of tidy redemption but a powerful account of grit, trauma, and resilience. For readers of The Glass Castle and Educated, this book offers an unforgettable journey through the darkest parts of childhood and the quiet strength it takes to survive them.