undefined

Review ------ "This novel, by the author of The Rock and the River (2009), is a sensitive, quietly powerful look at discovering inner strength, coping, and thriving--or not--in the face of tragedy."-- Heather Booth " "BOOKLIST, "February 2011 "Magoon writes with in, wit, and compassion. Characters are appealing; action is well paced; and adolescent angst is palpable. Although Ella's skin condition and Z's psychological problems are not clearly defined, the trauma of both is conveyed. Ella is caught between a desire to hang out with Bailey and the popular crowd or remain loyal to eccentric Z, and her actions, musings, and guilt will resonate with readers.-Gerry Larson, Durham School of the Arts, NC "-SLJ, January 2011" "All characters are well constructed. The story is written in a style that many early teens would appreciate for its real life parallels and issues. " -"Library Media Connection", May/June 2011 "This elegantly crafted story features strong writing and solid characterizations of both main and secondary characters. Ella and Bailey's racial identity is one element in a full and richly textured narrative. An out-of-the-ordinary setting--just outside of Las Ve--and the nuanced picture of young teens and families under stress make this an outstanding follow-up to Magoon's Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award-winning debut, " The Rock and the River" (2009). -"KIRKUS, "December 2010, *STAR Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) About the Author ---------------- Kekla Magoon has worked with youth-serving nonprofit organizations in New York City and Chicago. She holds an MFA in writing for children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and her first novel, The Rock and the River, won the Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe Award for New Talent. She resides in New York City and you can visit her at KeklaMagoon.com. Read more ( javascript:void(0) )