Jesus Land

Set against the backdrop of 1980s rural Indiana, the memoir explores the lives of Julia and her adopted brother David, who confront family turmoil and pervasive racism. Their distant mother and abusive father add to the challenges they face. The narrative shifts to Escuela Caribe, a harsh religious reform school in the Dominican Republic, where they endure a brutal disciplinary regime. Julia Scheeres shares their harrowing journey with striking honesty, humor, and emotional depth, capturing their struggle for survival and connection.