Genre: Biography
Subjects: Young Adult narrative nonfiction - Jeffrey Dahmer, serial murderers, high school, social issues, friendship, true crime, murder, mental illness, behavior disorders in adolescence
Audience: ages 14 & up
Derf Backderf grew up in Ohio in the 1970's. Jeffrey Dahmer was one of his classmates. When Dahmer was arrested in 1991, Backderf began to write his memories of the kid named Jeff and how he transformed over time into a serial killer. Backderf met Dahmer in middle school where he was practically invisible. He was a shy kid, but when he reached high school, he began to fake disabilities, seizures, and slur his speech to be noticed. He actually had a "fan club" of high school students that enjoyed his jokes but were not really his friends. He had a rough home life and his parents eventually split, leaving Dahmer alone in his home. Dahmer was struggling to keep his sanity, murdering small animals, and trying to come to terms with his sexuality. He began drinking all day to try to control his tendencies. After high school graduation in 1978, he killed his first victim, a hitchhiker he picked up on the road. He would kill 16 more victims before he was caught in 1991. Backderf tells the Dahmer's story in a graphic novel format reminiscent of the comic strips of the 1970's. He shows the sad and tragic side of Dahmer's life but does not excuse the choices that Dahmer made.
Awards:
2013 ALA/YALSA Alex Award
2014 Revelation Award at Angoulême
Harvey Awards Nominee for Best Graphic Album - Original (2013)
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