The intro to my blog talks about living a dream--SIRENZ, co-written with my best friend Natalie Zaman, debuted in June. Yay! But along with the published book, I dreamed of being a 'successful' writer. You know how that goes; doing interviews, having people ask me for my autograph, giving other writers advice, selling lots of copies, and maybe walking the red carpet on premiere night when the movie based on the book debuts.
Well... in order for that to happen, you have to do the work. It didn't end with the writing of the book. Or the numerous revisions. Or getting the agent. Or selling the next two sequels. Or signing 250+ copies at Book Expo America. Or throwing the launch party with cake by Buddy Valastro, having 'Hades' appear to tease and tempt our guests, and greeting everyone on the line out the door. Or doing radio and TV interviews, blog tours, Twitter and FaceBook posts, and guest posts. Or putting together bags of books and swag. And looking for the next promotional must do.
There's a price to be paid for a dream; the sweat and determination to make it come true, the persistence to stay with it to keep it moving forward, and the realization that it may be more, or less, than we bargained for. SIRENZ may never make the bestseller list or win an Academy Award. Or, it may become so popular that we lose our privacy and normal lives. Dreams take on a life of their own, going where they will, dragging us along. It's kind of like having children, another dream I thought might not be possible. I went through medical tests and procedures, heartaches and pain. What I didn't consider was that the little bundle of happiness would turn into three bundles, argue over cleaning their rooms, damage my car, scare me with broken bones, scream they hate their brother/mother/father/best friend, and graduate with honors, earn a third degree black belt, write something that showed promise, take care of me when I had surgery, and give me a hug without me asking for it. See where I'm going?
When signing the book, I usually write: "Be careful what you wish for..." because you just might get what you want--along with some things you don't, and others you didn't know you wanted until you had them. Like the characters Meg and Shar in Sirenz, we can't foresee the results of being given our dearest wishes.
But that shouldn't ever stop us from dreaming...
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Dressed to the Nines
I'm going to take a little detour here from writing. (Trust me.) In our book SIRENZ, our two characters Meg and Shar get into scrapes and trouble all because of fashion. For the want of a shoe, they cause tragedy, to undo it they make an unholy deal. Clothes figure largely in their lives and difficulties. But at least they make sure they look good no matter what mess they're in.
Too bad it's not like that in real life.
Shoddy jeans with holes, an ill fitting ugly shirt and scuffed boots.
Shorts and flip flops.
Over-sized brown frumpy capris.
What do they all have in common besides being fashion horrors? They were all outfits people wore to my mother-in-law's wake AND funeral.
Are ya freakin kidding me??? To pay their RESPECTS, to COMFORT the family, to HONOR this lovely woman, they dress like they don't give a s*&).
SHAME ON YOU. I mean, seriously? These are the same people who look better when they go bar hopping than they do going to church. (I've seen too-tight sweat pants on Palm Sunday.) Someone needs to smack you people; your grandmother, your guidance counselor, Clinton from TLC's What Not to Wear.
And it doesn't stop there. Jeans with a sport jacket to a wedding shows you're a lazy slob who couldn't bother to get your suit cleaned. It's not chic, it's PATHETIC. (See the example Hades sets in SIRENZ. He would throw you to his three-headed dog Cerebus for dressing that bad, but even his dog thinks you look too awful to chomp on.)
So the lesson here? People notice things like this, and they TALK about you, laugh at you behind your back and point you out as an example of What NOT To Do. They tell their children (because I know I do it with mine), "Don't be like that loser!" So dress like a grown-up, like a person who cares how he presents himself, and like a person who has some pride.
'Nuff said.
Too bad it's not like that in real life.
Shoddy jeans with holes, an ill fitting ugly shirt and scuffed boots.
Shorts and flip flops.
Over-sized brown frumpy capris.
What do they all have in common besides being fashion horrors? They were all outfits people wore to my mother-in-law's wake AND funeral.
Are ya freakin kidding me??? To pay their RESPECTS, to COMFORT the family, to HONOR this lovely woman, they dress like they don't give a s*&).
SHAME ON YOU. I mean, seriously? These are the same people who look better when they go bar hopping than they do going to church. (I've seen too-tight sweat pants on Palm Sunday.) Someone needs to smack you people; your grandmother, your guidance counselor, Clinton from TLC's What Not to Wear.
And it doesn't stop there. Jeans with a sport jacket to a wedding shows you're a lazy slob who couldn't bother to get your suit cleaned. It's not chic, it's PATHETIC. (See the example Hades sets in SIRENZ. He would throw you to his three-headed dog Cerebus for dressing that bad, but even his dog thinks you look too awful to chomp on.)
So the lesson here? People notice things like this, and they TALK about you, laugh at you behind your back and point you out as an example of What NOT To Do. They tell their children (because I know I do it with mine), "Don't be like that loser!" So dress like a grown-up, like a person who cares how he presents himself, and like a person who has some pride.
'Nuff said.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Letting Go
I haven't updated in a while--Sorry--but it's been a little crazy here, you know? With SIRENZ debuting at Book Expo America-and seeing 300 people line up to get a signed copy-well, it's been a whirlwind. Then there was the NJ Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators annual conference. I was presenting and signing. We were informed that besides a key note speaker, SIRENZ sold more books than any other. Then there was the actual debut day-with so many people on Facebook and Twitter wishing us a happy book day. This past weekend was NJBooks 2011, where again Nat & I were on panels and signing.
And then there's this weekend; Thomas' graduation party. Both he and SIRENZ are my babies. And I have to let them both go, free to fly away. When he brought home his graduation gown, I choked up. "Don't cry until the ceremony, Mom" he said. It was hard not too. While it was with joy that after grooming SIRENZ Nat & I could let the book be edited, revised, covered and sent out, it won't be the same with Thomas. Some joy, yes, because he's grown more self confident this year, more mature (notwithstanding the mess he lives in in his room), and a little bit wiser (although not enough to know that if he cleans his room, Mom would be more amenable to Polar Cub or Monster rewards). But there is bittersweet. He is the first born, and while there are times when I check the calendar to see how many more days until he leaves so I know the fighting between him and his brother Alec will cease, it also means the house will be quiet. There will be no more "Thomas! Go get me a chai latte from Starbucks!" or "Thomas, go pick up Alec from track!"
With SIRENZ, the book is finished. The second one, SIRENZ, BACK IN FASHION, appears next year; it's already written. Some revisions and edits, then it will be time to let it go, while Nat & I focus on our other children; SIRENZ 3 (no formal title yet) releasing in 2013, our individual projects and a new middle grade series our agent wants us to start. While they may go hardcover at some point, who knows maybe even TV or movie, those children will be gone, unlike Thomas, Alec and Collin, who will, hopefully, come to visit their mother. As a writer, you become fond of the words, and revising, never mind cutting text, is painful enough. But you have to let go, let your work, your 'masterpiece' travel the world, impact other lives, and age.
And so it is with our children. They are my priceless masterpieces. They will travel, impact the lives of so many other people, and age. A bad or blah review may irk me, but the world can hurt my sons and cause me anguish. I hope the world, and fate, and people are kind to my boys. Books can be replaced, rewritten, revised for infinity. My work with raising my son is almost over.
The book is on its stand in the bookcase. Fait accompli. On Tuesday, Thomas will don his graduation gown, and commence his adult life.
And then there's this weekend; Thomas' graduation party. Both he and SIRENZ are my babies. And I have to let them both go, free to fly away. When he brought home his graduation gown, I choked up. "Don't cry until the ceremony, Mom" he said. It was hard not too. While it was with joy that after grooming SIRENZ Nat & I could let the book be edited, revised, covered and sent out, it won't be the same with Thomas. Some joy, yes, because he's grown more self confident this year, more mature (notwithstanding the mess he lives in in his room), and a little bit wiser (although not enough to know that if he cleans his room, Mom would be more amenable to Polar Cub or Monster rewards). But there is bittersweet. He is the first born, and while there are times when I check the calendar to see how many more days until he leaves so I know the fighting between him and his brother Alec will cease, it also means the house will be quiet. There will be no more "Thomas! Go get me a chai latte from Starbucks!" or "Thomas, go pick up Alec from track!"
With SIRENZ, the book is finished. The second one, SIRENZ, BACK IN FASHION, appears next year; it's already written. Some revisions and edits, then it will be time to let it go, while Nat & I focus on our other children; SIRENZ 3 (no formal title yet) releasing in 2013, our individual projects and a new middle grade series our agent wants us to start. While they may go hardcover at some point, who knows maybe even TV or movie, those children will be gone, unlike Thomas, Alec and Collin, who will, hopefully, come to visit their mother. As a writer, you become fond of the words, and revising, never mind cutting text, is painful enough. But you have to let go, let your work, your 'masterpiece' travel the world, impact other lives, and age.
And so it is with our children. They are my priceless masterpieces. They will travel, impact the lives of so many other people, and age. A bad or blah review may irk me, but the world can hurt my sons and cause me anguish. I hope the world, and fate, and people are kind to my boys. Books can be replaced, rewritten, revised for infinity. My work with raising my son is almost over.
The book is on its stand in the bookcase. Fait accompli. On Tuesday, Thomas will don his graduation gown, and commence his adult life.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign...
And the sign said... That our book Sirenz would get published. Really. So many times Nat & I would see something that directly related to our book, and Natalie said THE UNIVERSE (she used big letters when saying it) was giving us a sign that the book would get picked up. Me-the naysayer and skeptic-wanted proof. So THE UNIVERSE is proving it to me almost on a daily basis. Don't believe? Here's an example of what I mean; Visiting my parents in Albany, NY, we took a leisurely boat ride up the Hudson. Along comes a sleek boat... named Sirena.
Still skeptical? I'm thumbing through the newspaper, and Grecian goddess dresses are now the trend. (Our book deals with Greek mythology if you didn't pick up on the 'siren' theme). Want more? Turn on the tv and it's about the Greek pantheon (Hades specifically, who's a major character in the book. Ooh, almost scary.) There seemed to be so many, we decided to keep a list. Here are some more:
*Driving to Philadelphia to see my surgeon, I pass Castor Street (Greek demi-god who appears in book 2, Sirenz, Back in Fashion).
*Nat & I are Christmas shopping. We walk into a store and see a Starbuck's coffeecup ornament with Nat's character's name on it- Meg. And next to it is an ornament of a big diamond ring in a Tiffany blue box. (Read the book, it'll make sense).
*Swarovski debuts a red shoe charm (seen the Sirenz cover?)
*Benjamin Franklin is on the cover of Publisher's Weekly just as I write him into book two.
*Flux publishes a book by an author named 'Margaret Wiley' which is Nat's character's full name.
*Pandora (the charm store) moves into the mall as we write about Pandora in book two.
It's hard to keep track of them all. And they keep on coming. It's almost as if THE UNIVERSE wants to make sure I'm really convinced that our book will be successful. (Of course a sign that shows monetary success, like being approved for a no limit Amex would be appreciated.) The fact that we're seeing signs that are related to all three books only further convinces me. (We have plans for a fourth, but so far haven't seen any signs, but that could be because we haven't written it, and only have a brief idea what it's going to be about.)
Nat has her own list of signs; some of them I wouldn't notice but she picks up on their meaning. (I'll let her explain it in her blog.) So, besides my family and friends insisting we'll see success, I have the cosmos giving me a little pep talk and morale boost every time I turn around. I'm cool with that; I have the heavens as my personal cheering section.
Still skeptical? I'm thumbing through the newspaper, and Grecian goddess dresses are now the trend. (Our book deals with Greek mythology if you didn't pick up on the 'siren' theme). Want more? Turn on the tv and it's about the Greek pantheon (Hades specifically, who's a major character in the book. Ooh, almost scary.) There seemed to be so many, we decided to keep a list. Here are some more:
*Driving to Philadelphia to see my surgeon, I pass Castor Street (Greek demi-god who appears in book 2, Sirenz, Back in Fashion).
*Nat & I are Christmas shopping. We walk into a store and see a Starbuck's coffeecup ornament with Nat's character's name on it- Meg. And next to it is an ornament of a big diamond ring in a Tiffany blue box. (Read the book, it'll make sense).
*Swarovski debuts a red shoe charm (seen the Sirenz cover?)
*Benjamin Franklin is on the cover of Publisher's Weekly just as I write him into book two.
*Flux publishes a book by an author named 'Margaret Wiley' which is Nat's character's full name.
*Pandora (the charm store) moves into the mall as we write about Pandora in book two.
It's hard to keep track of them all. And they keep on coming. It's almost as if THE UNIVERSE wants to make sure I'm really convinced that our book will be successful. (Of course a sign that shows monetary success, like being approved for a no limit Amex would be appreciated.) The fact that we're seeing signs that are related to all three books only further convinces me. (We have plans for a fourth, but so far haven't seen any signs, but that could be because we haven't written it, and only have a brief idea what it's going to be about.)
Nat has her own list of signs; some of them I wouldn't notice but she picks up on their meaning. (I'll let her explain it in her blog.) So, besides my family and friends insisting we'll see success, I have the cosmos giving me a little pep talk and morale boost every time I turn around. I'm cool with that; I have the heavens as my personal cheering section.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Sticks and Stones...
It's every writer's nightmare- THE REVIEW. We hope for them, fret over them, then cry because of them. Very few writers (and I am not one of the fortuitous few) get glowing reviews.
Yeah, your mother always spit out that stupid, lame saying "sticks and stones can hurt you, but words never will." I'm not sure about that.
With the world gone Politically Correct crazy, everyone's afraid of saying the WRONG THING, even if it has a ring of truth.
Except critics. They can sear our souls, devastate our self confidence with a well honed cut. That's their job. Someone's got to do critiques the same way someone's got to empty the septic tank, or pick up dead deer off the road or remove a diseased limb. To us it may seem terrible, but it's a job that someone's going to do.
And, not to defend a gleeful critic, but get over it. You'll survive.
This classic children's book which has sold to many generations all over the world (I was never crazy about it) was described by Eyal Amiran from the University of California, Irvine as "strong schmaltz:" the book- The Little Prince.
His book was labeled "the usual fantasy storyline" with "some depth" and "emotional issues." Doesn't sound like an impressive book to me--except the book was The Lord of the Rings. Gazillions of reprints, movies, tee shirts, video games and what not later, it's still a best selling book. Who knew? Guess not the critic.
Tom LeClair from the University of Cincinnati nominated The Great Gatsby as "the worse novel in American literature." If it was so bad, then why the hell did I have to read it both in high school and several colleges?
Jane, a critic on the website Dear Author, writes"...I wonder how many people would have glommed onto the series after reading this mess of a story..." She was talking about the mega selling Twilight series.
After the enduring the heartbreak of rejection from editors and agents, now you have to suck up bad reviews. It's going to happen. Realize you can find a bad review for any author--from the Bible to Shakespeare to Dan Brown to Dr. Suess. And you can justify the dissing your book got by telling yourself, "They just don't get it" and I believe that. Anything by D.H. Lawrence gives me a headache because I just don't get why everyone thinks any of his boring tomes are a classic. Or, you can say "It was probably a guy/gal who read my story about a gal/guy and couldn't relate. I have to fess up that the Halo apocalyptic series leave me staring stupidly about, dazed from all the killing, maiming, and blowing up, and then shell shocked with the descriptions of all the weapons that kill, maim and blow up.
You can have a hundred reasons why the review was unjustified, unearned, unfair, unsympathetic, uncorroborated, yada yada. But look at it this way; you were NOTICED. There are some New York Times bestselling authors (and I know them but don't ask who), who never got reviewed. Maybe the reviewers thought the work wasn't good OR bad enough to waste their time to review. Ouch.
No matter what, you'll probably come across a bad review during your writing, performing, acting, or any other career where you invite people to express their opinion on how well they think you did what you do. It's part of the publishing game, and I tell myself that talent is in the mind of the beholder. Just because one critic doesn't agree doesn't mean everyone else will feel the same, which happens a more often than people realize. Rave and rant (quietly, in your home, with no one around to bear witness) to get it out of your system. Then keep on writing and promoting and signing your book.
Some of us will just love it.
Yeah, your mother always spit out that stupid, lame saying "sticks and stones can hurt you, but words never will." I'm not sure about that.
With the world gone Politically Correct crazy, everyone's afraid of saying the WRONG THING, even if it has a ring of truth.
Except critics. They can sear our souls, devastate our self confidence with a well honed cut. That's their job. Someone's got to do critiques the same way someone's got to empty the septic tank, or pick up dead deer off the road or remove a diseased limb. To us it may seem terrible, but it's a job that someone's going to do.
And, not to defend a gleeful critic, but get over it. You'll survive.
This classic children's book which has sold to many generations all over the world (I was never crazy about it) was described by Eyal Amiran from the University of California, Irvine as "strong schmaltz:" the book- The Little Prince.
His book was labeled "the usual fantasy storyline" with "some depth" and "emotional issues." Doesn't sound like an impressive book to me--except the book was The Lord of the Rings. Gazillions of reprints, movies, tee shirts, video games and what not later, it's still a best selling book. Who knew? Guess not the critic.
Tom LeClair from the University of Cincinnati nominated The Great Gatsby as "the worse novel in American literature." If it was so bad, then why the hell did I have to read it both in high school and several colleges?
Jane, a critic on the website Dear Author, writes"...I wonder how many people would have glommed onto the series after reading this mess of a story..." She was talking about the mega selling Twilight series.
After the enduring the heartbreak of rejection from editors and agents, now you have to suck up bad reviews. It's going to happen. Realize you can find a bad review for any author--from the Bible to Shakespeare to Dan Brown to Dr. Suess. And you can justify the dissing your book got by telling yourself, "They just don't get it" and I believe that. Anything by D.H. Lawrence gives me a headache because I just don't get why everyone thinks any of his boring tomes are a classic. Or, you can say "It was probably a guy/gal who read my story about a gal/guy and couldn't relate. I have to fess up that the Halo apocalyptic series leave me staring stupidly about, dazed from all the killing, maiming, and blowing up, and then shell shocked with the descriptions of all the weapons that kill, maim and blow up.
You can have a hundred reasons why the review was unjustified, unearned, unfair, unsympathetic, uncorroborated, yada yada. But look at it this way; you were NOTICED. There are some New York Times bestselling authors (and I know them but don't ask who), who never got reviewed. Maybe the reviewers thought the work wasn't good OR bad enough to waste their time to review. Ouch.
No matter what, you'll probably come across a bad review during your writing, performing, acting, or any other career where you invite people to express their opinion on how well they think you did what you do. It's part of the publishing game, and I tell myself that talent is in the mind of the beholder. Just because one critic doesn't agree doesn't mean everyone else will feel the same, which happens a more often than people realize. Rave and rant (quietly, in your home, with no one around to bear witness) to get it out of your system. Then keep on writing and promoting and signing your book.
Some of us will just love it.
Friday, April 22, 2011
It's Not Fair.
The house is quiet. The hubby and sons are off to spend 2 days in NYC, seeing a show, eating at famous places and doing fun things. I'm home sick, hacking and wheezing and feeling like hell. Not even a goodbye.
It's not fair.
I listen to the news and hear about more taxes that we'll have to pay. Congress doesn't have to contribute to their healthcare costs and get outrageous pensions even if they only serve 2 years, and the President spends money that isn't there, but we have to kick in more.
It's not fair.
Illegal immigrants can get in-state tuition rates while citizens like us have to pay the full ride and then some because of loan interest. My husband and I worked our ways through several college degrees with no financial help because of our race, religion, gender, or other aspect.
It's not fair.
People just coming into this country apply for Social Security and so many other benefits the minute they're eligible without having ever paid into the system, which will undoubtedly crash before I ever see a penny of it, no matter what the creative accountants in Washington say.
It's not fair.
When I was 21, a drunk fractured my skull, leaving me with years of operations, pain, debt and anger. He walked away, no jail time, and his insurance policy dribbled out a pittance for all my suffering and hardship.
It's not fair.
My neighbors and friends and family have suffered job losses, uncertain how they will pay their mortgages or send their kids to college, while government and other union workers protest having to make minor contributions to their health insurance costs, enjoying a job security unknown to most American workers.
It's not fair.
Then...
An earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster hit Japan. Instead of homes, they have rubble. Instead of family, they have dead.
In the Middle East, women plead for education and basic human rights and are stoned or murdered.
A family down the block spends their days in the hospital by their son's bedside, praying for a cure for his cancer.
Across the sea, believers of minority faiths are murdered and their churches burned because they do not fit a terrorist group's ideal.
So I will stop whining about missing a fun weekend because of a nasty cold. I am recovering, some will not. I am warm and fed, some are not. I have family and friends, some do not.
It's not fair.
It's not fair.
I listen to the news and hear about more taxes that we'll have to pay. Congress doesn't have to contribute to their healthcare costs and get outrageous pensions even if they only serve 2 years, and the President spends money that isn't there, but we have to kick in more.
It's not fair.
Illegal immigrants can get in-state tuition rates while citizens like us have to pay the full ride and then some because of loan interest. My husband and I worked our ways through several college degrees with no financial help because of our race, religion, gender, or other aspect.
It's not fair.
People just coming into this country apply for Social Security and so many other benefits the minute they're eligible without having ever paid into the system, which will undoubtedly crash before I ever see a penny of it, no matter what the creative accountants in Washington say.
It's not fair.
When I was 21, a drunk fractured my skull, leaving me with years of operations, pain, debt and anger. He walked away, no jail time, and his insurance policy dribbled out a pittance for all my suffering and hardship.
It's not fair.
My neighbors and friends and family have suffered job losses, uncertain how they will pay their mortgages or send their kids to college, while government and other union workers protest having to make minor contributions to their health insurance costs, enjoying a job security unknown to most American workers.
It's not fair.
Then...
An earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster hit Japan. Instead of homes, they have rubble. Instead of family, they have dead.
In the Middle East, women plead for education and basic human rights and are stoned or murdered.
A family down the block spends their days in the hospital by their son's bedside, praying for a cure for his cancer.
Across the sea, believers of minority faiths are murdered and their churches burned because they do not fit a terrorist group's ideal.
So I will stop whining about missing a fun weekend because of a nasty cold. I am recovering, some will not. I am warm and fed, some are not. I have family and friends, some do not.
It's not fair.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Something New This Way Comes
Okay, something different this time. Once a month, I'm choosing one debut author's book to read and review. I'm serious about it, so don't expect to see celeb trash like Snooki's book. Sorry, dedicated authors only will be considered.
The Trouble With Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante (Putnam) debuted in January. Although listed as a YA (young adult for those unfamiliar with the biz of writing), this gently told story feels suitable for a younger set, 10-14. Told from the point of view of almost thirteen-year-old Dellie, it takes the reader through several months of her life. Dellie lives in a housing project surrounded by people who face issues of poverty, violence and despair. Dellie has her own troubles; she blames herself for her little brother's death. While she and her family grieve, new tenants move in; an abusive mother and her young son Corey, and a spirited older woman called Miss Shirley. Dellie tries to protect Corey, avoid Miss Shirley's questions about her brother's death, repair the betrayal by her best friend Kayla, and foster the blooming romantic interest of Michael. The obstacle in her path is her mother's adamant insistence she remain 'safe' by only leaving the apartment for school, even though Dellie's life is outside her home; friends, school, Michael, and freedom.
Simply written by Vigilante who grew up in projects just like Dellie's, this novel is a safe avenue to explore the dark shadows in life; death, betrayal, despair, violence and injustice-and the enduring human spirit that fights to be happy. And though the main character is a young girl, and a small romantic interest is present, this novel is well suited for both genders because of the many issues that can be opened for discussion. I would highly recommend it for the classroom.
Next review: Exposed by Kimberly Marcus
The Trouble With Half a Moon by Danette Vigilante (Putnam) debuted in January. Although listed as a YA (young adult for those unfamiliar with the biz of writing), this gently told story feels suitable for a younger set, 10-14. Told from the point of view of almost thirteen-year-old Dellie, it takes the reader through several months of her life. Dellie lives in a housing project surrounded by people who face issues of poverty, violence and despair. Dellie has her own troubles; she blames herself for her little brother's death. While she and her family grieve, new tenants move in; an abusive mother and her young son Corey, and a spirited older woman called Miss Shirley. Dellie tries to protect Corey, avoid Miss Shirley's questions about her brother's death, repair the betrayal by her best friend Kayla, and foster the blooming romantic interest of Michael. The obstacle in her path is her mother's adamant insistence she remain 'safe' by only leaving the apartment for school, even though Dellie's life is outside her home; friends, school, Michael, and freedom.
Simply written by Vigilante who grew up in projects just like Dellie's, this novel is a safe avenue to explore the dark shadows in life; death, betrayal, despair, violence and injustice-and the enduring human spirit that fights to be happy. And though the main character is a young girl, and a small romantic interest is present, this novel is well suited for both genders because of the many issues that can be opened for discussion. I would highly recommend it for the classroom.
Next review: Exposed by Kimberly Marcus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)