In Because of You, This is Me, Jaz Ampaw-Farr writes with vulnerability, grit, and hope about surviving an abusive childhood, finding refuge in the compassion of “Everyday Heroes,” and making that survival the basis of her later work as a teacher and speaker.
The book’s power lies in its dual narrative: on one hand, a raw and unflinching account of neglect, violence, and emotional hardship; on the other, a celebration of the teachers, mentors, and strangers whose consistent kindness shifted the author’s trajectory. We meet figures like Mr Williams, who taught truth with humour and patience; Mr Simpson, whose steadfast daily greetings wore down walls of mistrust; and Mr Readman, who modelled vulnerability and compassion in the classroom.
Jaz doesn’t romanticise resilience — she dismantles the myth of being “unbreakable” and instead reframes it as the ability to get back up, sometimes slowly, and keep going. The book is peppered with sharp, practical reflections for educators and leaders, challenging them to stand in the fire, notice invisible barriers, and embrace authenticity.
Her writing is disarmingly honest. She takes the reader through scenes of harrowing abuse, moments of childhood shame, and the complex psychology of living two lives — the one at home and the one at school. But the narrative is never hopeless. Each chapter affirms the life-changing impact of seemingly small acts of care: a teacher noticing, a neighbour asking the right question, someone showing up consistently.
By the end, the reader is left with two clear messages:
Ordinary people can make extraordinary differences.
You might already be someone’s Everyday Hero without even realising it.
It’s not an easy read in places, nor should it be, but it stays with you. Read it if you work with children who live two lives, one at home and one at school.

About the book

  • Author: Jaz Ampaw-Farr, described by her publisher as a writer, international speaker and former teacher and stand-up comedian.
  • Full title: Because of You, This is Me: The stories we tell, the stories we change and the power of everyday heroes.
  • Publisher: Crown House Publishing. Paperback, 176 pages, published July 2025 (ISBN 9781781352984).

Source: Crown House Publishing, checked 13 October 2026.