
Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything
Synopsis
The instant New York Times Bestseller
You knew their name. You didn’t know the real story.
The world knew Alyson Stoner as the charming tomboy from Cheaper by the Dozen, the iconic kid dancer with Missy Elliott, and the friendly face on Disney Channel hits like Camp Rock and Phineas and Ferb. But behind the scenes, a different story was unfolding—one of relentless pressure, family trauma, and a lonely battle to get help.
Semi-Well-Adjusted is more than a Hollywood memoir, it’s a fierce and unflinching look at what it takes to heal in a society that seems determined to break us. With bravely and hard-earned wisdom, Alyson shares their harrowing journey from an eighty-hour work week at age eight and stratospheric child stardom, to navigating religious trauma and rebuilding a life on their own terms.
Now a mental health advocate, Alyson offers a masterclass in self-reclamation for anyone ready to break free from the narratives that have defined them. Semi-Well-Adjusted is a roadmap for finding your own voice and power—despite literally everything.
* The instant New York Times Bestseller, based on sales from week ending 16/08/2025
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Reviews
Stoner doesn't shy from sharing the dark side of fame.
With its moments of hope and eventual healing, this is a truly revelatory take on the child star tell-all.
Given the odds, how does someone emerge from the Disney machine sounding like your most introspective friend?
[Stoner's] writing is immersive, putting readers directly in their shoes as they experienced these memories.