ISA StoryWorld: Garrett's Becoming by Kristen Peters is a gut-wrenching look at what happens when the systems designed to help a child fail him. The narrative follows twelve-year-old Garrett, a neurodivergent boy who experiences the world through rhythm and sensation rather than words. It begins with the heartbreaking reality of the "plateau"—that moment when insurance decides a child isn't showing enough progress to justify the cost of care. From there, we watch as schools, programs, and hospitals all offer variations on saying no, leaving Garrett stuck in waiting rooms never meant for long-term stays. While the adults are busy chasing placements and checking boxes, Garrett is accompanied by the Modalities—characters like Melody and Arty—who don't try to fix him, but instead translate his world and stay present. At the same time, he continues to "become" on his own terms.

Kristen Peters' writing is restrained and honest, which makes the emotional impact much deeper. I loved how the characters were developed—Garrett doesn't give long speeches, yet you understand exactly how he feels by the way he draws in the air or reacts to the hum of a room. I’ve seen families deal with these same struggles in real life, so I really liked that the book didn’t give us a cheesy or perfect ending. It’s a powerful reminder that supporting someone isn't always about fixing a problem; sometimes, it’s just about the dignity of refusing to leave their side. ISA StoryWorld: Garrett's Becoming is a short read, but the themes of worth and progress stayed with me long after I finished it. This impactful story touched me!

In Kristen Peters’ ISA StoryWorld: Garrett's Becoming, Garrett is twelve when the structured Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for his autism is discontinued after his provider determines that measurable progress no longer meets insurance requirements. Soon after, school officials removed him from the classroom, stating they could not ensure his safety within existing resources. As the adults debate his placement in conference rooms where his future is discussed in technical terms, Garrett sits nearby, sensing changes he cannot control. Residential facilities in other states review his file and decline his admission, citing capacity and fit. Hospitals and crisis units also refuse his intake. While calls are made and his options narrow, Garrett remains physically present yet administratively unplaced, waiting in temporary spaces as the systems designed to categorize children struggle to decide where he belongs.

Kristen Peters’s ISA StoryWorld: Garrett's Becoming is a thoughtful short story that really opened my eyes to both the holes in the healthcare industry in treating children and what that means for an individual child who is stuck in that void. The characters are remarkably well developed. I love when Melody sits and hums beside Garrett during fraught meetings, steadying his breath and affirming his presence. Garrett is, naturally, the boy at the center, and alongside him, we experience the world through sensations and patterns. Peters writes in prose that is equal parts compassionate and commanding. Garrett’s worthiness for services is so clear, and Peters gives him dignity during the moments of institutional withdrawal. I admit that going into the story, I did not know anything about Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, or how small things like a weighted wrap across the legs can restore a sense of steadiness. Having been touched so deeply by Garrett's Becoming, I do want to learn more. Very highly recommended.