How We See the Gray—out May 15, 2026 with Curbstone Books (Northwestern University Press)
A riveting story about parenthood, substance abuse, and the strength it takes to come back from our mistakes
Foster care is a disaster in Rockford, Illinois. Meredith, a social worker and single mom, is stretched beyond thin but determined to protect her kids: not only her son, but those on her caseload too. When the stress of the job has her breaking her sobriety, the foundations of her life begin to tremble. After drinking too much, she makes a mistake that puts her preschooler in jeopardy, and Meredith finds herself in a situation that mirrors her clients’ as she loses custody of her son. In her fight to get him back, Meredith experiences the system from the outside—while still working for the kids inside of it. Set over the course of a year, this riveting documentary-esque novel is told from multiple perspectives, including those of case workers, birth parents, foster parents, and foster children. Written with the working-class humor and heart that defines the Midwest, How We See the Gray is a story about mistakes, second chances, and trying to do better in a system that seems doomed to fail.
Advance praise:
“León has crafted a crystal-clear cast of complex characters that jump off the page. How We See the Gray is gritty, textured, and brimming with life.” —Asale Angel-Ajani, author of A Country You Can Leave
“Rachel León’s novel How We See The Gray is a profound and magnificent work of art, bearing witness to the lives of social workers, foster parents, foster children, and all of their families, within the foster care system of Rockford, Illinois. Each character springs to life, each illustrating a distinct human struggle, and León examines all of her characters with absolute clarity and compassion. A stunning and humane book.” —Karen E. Bender, author of The Words of Dr. L
“Rachel León takes you beyond the headlines and into the lived reality of social workers—into the grit and grind of their nearly impossible demands. There’s no sugarcoating here. These are real people, with all the humanity, heartbreak, and hope that come with the job. In seeing them clearly, we also see the way forward to improve foster care. If you’ve ever wondered what this work truly is, this is the book for you.” —David Ambroz, author of A Place Called Home: A Memoir
“Oh, my heart after reading Rachel León’s How We See the Gray. I feel tenderized and held, sad and hopeful. The cast of characters that comprise this novel about social workers and the children they try to help are prickly and alive, and I grew to love all of them. They felt as real to me as the novel’s setting of Rockford, Illinois, a city that is both tired and vibrant, neglected and richly peopled. With these characters, this place, the novel offers grace mingled with pain, and illuminates the beauty among the grit.” —Lindsay Hunter, author of Hot Springs Drive