An insightful look at the challenges faced by families with special-needs children.” Booklist

In her hauntingly authentic memoir, Margaret Combs tells the story of a childhood turned sideways by the discovery of her young brother’s autism. Hazard is a poignant family portrait that is still shot through with light and a profound narrative poise. . . . This family memoir will hold you spellbound.” Brenda Peterson, author of I Want to Be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth

In this achingly honest, courageous memoir, Margaret Combs will break your heart and then mend it again as she unfolds her story of growing up with an autistic brother. There are some harsh realities here, but like Mary Karr in The Liars’ Club and Jeannette Walls in The Glass Castle, Combs infuses hope and humor into even the most harrowing scenes. I couldn't put it down.” Holly Robinson, author of Beach Plum Island, Folly Cove, and The Gerbil Farmer’s Daughter: A Memoir

Margaret Combs never gave up on Roddy, her brother born with autism, and Roddy never gave up on her. Unflinching and bold, Hazard is the story of a loving family finally making it despite the odds stacked against them.” Daniel Friedman, author of The King of Chicago: Memories of My Father

Combs has a way of pulling you in and taking you on the journey with her so you see with her eyes, feel what she did. It’s a highly emotional and expressive look at family dynamics and the ability to survive overwhelming challenges. . . . As a parent I found it very interesting to read an adult’s point of view about what it was like to be the sibling of a special needs child because it gave me some insight in how to be there for my son more since his sisters [who have autism] get more of our attention and time than he does simply due to the circumstances. He is not loved less than them but as a parent you don’t necessarily realize how things appear from their point of view. I feel like this book will make me a better mother to him and maybe be able to help him in his role in their lives. I was very grateful for the opportunity to read this and gain some profound insight.” Tara Sheehan, Artistic Bend

A great memoir, like a great novel, has the power to crack our hearts open, teach us about loss and resilience and what it means to be human. Hazard is such a book.” Lindsay Pyfer, The Huffington Post

"The book is very beautifully written and from the bottom of the heart. It gives strength and inspiration to anyone ever coping with an autistic family member or just interested in knowing more about life-challenging experiences." Wild Writing Life

[I would] recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding what it was like to grow up in this time period with a handicapped sibling.” Lisa Kiser, Lock Haven University

An amazing story that is superbly written . . . with such an amazing life that I couldn’t put the story down.” –Lisa Urbassik, NetGalley reviewer

This is a very honest and poignant memoir, by a woman whose younger brother's autism deeply affected her parents, and consequently her own upbringing.” –Emi Bevacqua, Goodreads reviewer

[The author] does an exemplary job remembering the thoughts and feelings of a child, a child growing up in a world that is much kinder to some than to other.” –SundayAtDusk, Goodreads reviewer

An insightful look at the challenges faced by families with special-needs children.” Booklist

In her hauntingly authentic memoir, Margaret Combs tells the story of a childhood turned sideways by the discovery of her young brother’s autism. Hazard is a poignant family portrait that is still shot through with light and a profound narrative poise. . . . This family memoir will hold you spellbound.” Brenda Peterson, author of I Want to Be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth

In this achingly honest, courageous memoir, Margaret Combs will break your heart and then mend it again as she unfolds her story of growing up with an autistic brother. There are some harsh realities here, but like Mary Karr in The Liars’ Club and Jeannette Walls in The Glass Castle, Combs infuses hope and humor into even the most harrowing scenes. I couldn't put it down.” Holly Robinson, author of Beach Plum Island, Folly Cove, and The Gerbil Farmer’s Daughter: A Memoir

Margaret Combs never gave up on Roddy, her brother born with autism, and Roddy never gave up on her. Unflinching and bold, Hazard is the story of a loving family finally making it despite the odds stacked against them.” Daniel Friedman, author of The King of Chicago: Memories of My Father

Combs has a way of pulling you in and taking you on the journey with her so you see with her eyes, feel what she did. It’s a highly emotional and expressive look at family dynamics and the ability to survive overwhelming challenges. . . . As a parent I found it very interesting to read an adult’s point of view about what it was like to be the sibling of a special needs child because it gave me some insight in how to be there for my son more since his sisters [who have autism] get more of our attention and time than he does simply due to the circumstances. He is not loved less than them but as a parent you don’t necessarily realize how things appear from their point of view. I feel like this book will make me a better mother to him and maybe be able to help him in his role in their lives. I was very grateful for the opportunity to read this and gain some profound insight.” Tara Sheehan, Artistic Bend

A great memoir, like a great novel, has the power to crack our hearts open, teach us about loss and resilience and what it means to be human. Hazard is such a book.” Lindsay Pyfer, The Huffington Post

"The book is very beautifully written and from the bottom of the heart. It gives strength and inspiration to anyone ever coping with an autistic family member or just interested in knowing more about life-challenging experiences." Wild Writing Life

[I would] recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding what it was like to grow up in this time period with a handicapped sibling.” Lisa Kiser, Lock Haven University

An amazing story that is superbly written . . . with such an amazing life that I couldn’t put the story down.” –Lisa Urbassik, NetGalley reviewer

This is a very honest and poignant memoir, by a woman whose younger brother's autism deeply affected her parents, and consequently her own upbringing.” –Emi Bevacqua, Goodreads reviewer

[The author] does an exemplary job remembering the thoughts and feelings of a child, a child growing up in a world that is much kinder to some than to other.” –SundayAtDusk, Goodreads reviewer

An insightful look at the challenges faced by families with special-needs children.” Booklist

In her hauntingly authentic memoir, Margaret Combs tells the story of a childhood turned sideways by the discovery of her young brother’s autism. Hazard is a poignant family portrait that is still shot through with light and a profound narrative poise. . . . This family memoir will hold you spellbound.” Brenda Peterson, author of I Want to Be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth

In this achingly honest, courageous memoir, Margaret Combs will break your heart and then mend it again as she unfolds her story of growing up with an autistic brother. There are some harsh realities here, but like Mary Karr in The Liars’ Club and Jeannette Walls in The Glass Castle, Combs infuses hope and humor into even the most harrowing scenes. I couldn't put it down.” Holly Robinson, author of Beach Plum Island, Folly Cove, and The Gerbil Farmer’s Daughter: A Memoir

Margaret Combs never gave up on Roddy, her brother born with autism, and Roddy never gave up on her. Unflinching and bold, Hazard is the story of a loving family finally making it despite the odds stacked against them.” Daniel Friedman, author of The King of Chicago: Memories of My Father

Combs has a way of pulling you in and taking you on the journey with her so you see with her eyes, feel what she did. It’s a highly emotional and expressive look at family dynamics and the ability to survive overwhelming challenges. . . . As a parent I found it very interesting to read an adult’s point of view about what it was like to be the sibling of a special needs child because it gave me some insight in how to be there for my son more since his sisters [who have autism] get more of our attention and time than he does simply due to the circumstances. He is not loved less than them but as a parent you don’t necessarily realize how things appear from their point of view. I feel like this book will make me a better mother to him and maybe be able to help him in his role in their lives. I was very grateful for the opportunity to read this and gain some profound insight.” Tara Sheehan, Artistic Bend

A great memoir, like a great novel, has the power to crack our hearts open, teach us about loss and resilience and what it means to be human. Hazard is such a book.” Lindsay Pyfer, The Huffington Post

"The book is very beautifully written and from the bottom of the heart. It gives strength and inspiration to anyone ever coping with an autistic family member or just interested in knowing more about life-challenging experiences." Wild Writing Life

[I would] recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding what it was like to grow up in this time period with a handicapped sibling.” Lisa Kiser, Lock Haven University

An amazing story that is superbly written . . . with such an amazing life that I couldn’t put the story down.” –Lisa Urbassik, NetGalley reviewer

This is a very honest and poignant memoir, by a woman whose younger brother's autism deeply affected her parents, and consequently her own upbringing.” –Emi Bevacqua, Goodreads reviewer

[The author] does an exemplary job remembering the thoughts and feelings of a child, a child growing up in a world that is much kinder to some than to other.” –SundayAtDusk, Goodreads reviewer

Margaret Combs is an award-winning journalist who began her writing life as a National Public Radio reporter and education correspondent for the Boston Globe. She is a recipient of both the Associated Press Award for Arts Reporting and the United Press International Award for Best Documentary. Excerpts from her book have appeared in literary magazines, including the North American Review (NAR) and Lost Magazine. She was a finalist for the NAR's 2015 TORCH Memorial Prize. She lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington.