In these 24 mostly true Declarations of Independence, Justin Matott takes his readers into the mysterious world of friendship and discovery peculiar to all of us. Wry, funny, and often sobering, his stories centre around the catalyst that forges friendships, diffuses differences, and inspires revelations. Matott's down-to-earth writing is a wellspring of ordinary, fleeting moments that result in new-found independence. Readers will smile and shake their heads in recognition.