Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything - by Alyson Stoner (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Actor-dancer Alyson Stoner's revelatory and incisive memoir--from family violence and betrayal, to eating disorders and religious trauma--may begin in Hollywood, but its chilling relatability will resonate with anyone navigating identity, privacy, purpose, and mental health in a digital age.

Raised on soundstages and studio lots from the time they were six, shuffling between auditions for Disney Channel, Cheaper by the Dozen, or a Missy Elliott music video, Alyson experienced their defining moments of childhood inside the bizarre fishbowl of Hollywood. From being eight with an 80-hour work week, differentiating fan inquiries from kidnapping plots, and TV execs telling them they're "not anorexic enough" to stop working and get help, they struggled to find stability and sanity in a chaotic world.

In Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything, Alyson shares their powerful story for the first time, detailing a turbulent home life with addict parents, harrowing accounts from rehab, the messy process of discovering their sexuality in church, rebuilding a life after an early professional peak, and charting a path of self-discovery and advocacy. With striking introspection, Alyson connects the dots across the entertainment industry ecosystem, child development, and media culture, exposing the "toddler to trainwreck pipeline" of child stars and sparking timely conversations about success and society's enchantment with fame.

Bold, entertaining, warm, and galvanizing all at once, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything is more than a personal memoir: it's a beacon for industry reform, a roadmap for breaking the bonds of generational trauma, and a testament to the freedom and strength that come from finally trusting your own voice and power.

Review Quotes

"A ballsy page-turner that puts the greed of the entertainment industry on blast, while simultaneously being a grounded narrative of incredible tenacity, courage and healing. A compelling argument for the abolition of child stardom." --Stephanie Foo, New York Times bestselling author of What My Bones Know

"Alyson is one of those exceptional people who brings so much hope into the world. They have turned navigating a childhood surrounded by addiction and the negative side effects of fame into a journey of discovery and a guide to breaking generational trauma and finding personal truth. I highly recommend this wonderful book!" --Dr. Caroline Leaf, neuroscientist and bestselling author of Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess

"Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything peels back the glittering facade of childhood stardom to reveal the complex and often hideous realities that lurk beneath the surface. With raw honesty and remarkable insight, Stoner crafts a narrative that's both deeply personal and universally resonant. A must-read that empowers, educates, and illuminates." --Blair Imani, author of Read This to Get Smarter

About the Author

Alyson Stoner is a multi-disciplinary entertainer, author, the founder and CEO of the mental health company Movement Genius, and the host of the award-winning Dear Hollywood podcast. Alyson holds certifications in the mind-body space and has created and participated in programming for the United Nations, World Economic Forum, World Health Organization, TED, LGBTQIA+ centers, leading universities, and others. During childhood, Alyson performed in 200+ films, TV shows, and tours, including Disney Channel's Camp Rock, Phineas & Ferb, Step Up, Cheaper by the Dozen, and music videos with Missy Elliott and Eminem. They're currently working on concrete solutions that support artists and entertainers who face unique psychological, physical, professional, financial, and social challenges.