Giving youth a say...
Creative writing has always been a passion of mine and I have found that, even when I do not intend for it, my novels end up falling into the YA literature category. I am currently in the process of writing, editing, and finalizing two YA novels. There is always an interesting dynamic when adults write books about teens. I have summarized the novels with a brief excerpt on this site in hopes to get some feedback from your students. My hope is to receive feedback that helps shape these novels into a true depiction of adolescent life.
Absolute Faith by Jennifer Gayda
Holly and Laura have a less than traditional friendship. They are best friends whose twenty five year age difference has never come between their bond. Until now. When Laura gets a job teaching English at Holly's high school, Holly realizes that being best friends with the teacher only earns you a "class pet" label and permanent loser stamp. Beautiful, popular Faith befriends Holly and introduces her to a new kind of friendship. A dangerous kind. Holly begins down a dangerous path that leads her to the ultimate position of betrayal.
Holly and Laura have a less than traditional friendship. They are best friends whose twenty five year age difference has never come between their bond. Until now. When Laura gets a job teaching English at Holly's high school, Holly realizes that being best friends with the teacher only earns you a "class pet" label and permanent loser stamp. Beautiful, popular Faith befriends Holly and introduces her to a new kind of friendship. A dangerous kind. Holly begins down a dangerous path that leads her to the ultimate position of betrayal.
“You are aware of the consequences of your confession, correct?”
I could feel my face redden and hear my heart pounding. Every beat of my heart sent a river of cold blood through my body. I felt it travel to my fingertips, to the back of my knees, to my abdomen.
“Holly, you are aware that if you sign this, Mrs. Anderson will be taken into custody immediately.”
I hesitated, allowing the full weight of this decision to bear down on me.
Seven short months ago I would never have been capable of doing this to Laura. Laura was everything to me. It’s true, she was my mother’s best friend first. They became close fast, after living together for all four of the years they spent at Penn State. But with time, our bond had grown into something much stronger than the bond between college roommates. Laura was my only confidant, my ally, my older sister, my outlet for advice, my shoulder to cry on. It was the day she became my Freshman English Teacher that everything went wrong.
Dream Catcher by Jennifer Gayda
For years Annie has been plagued by night terrors. Every night she has the same dream, a seemingly peaceful dream to those she describes it to. But every morning she wakes in a panic, unsure of what caused her fear. Shortly before her sixteenth birthday, Annie discovers that her parents have been keeping a terrible secret. At fourteen months old, Annie was deserted in the woods by her then fifteen year old mother. After viewing the mugshot of her biological mother, Annie realizes that the dreams she has been having may actually be a memory. She begins a journey in hopes of finding answers about her past, but finds her present begins to fall apart in the process.
For years Annie has been plagued by night terrors. Every night she has the same dream, a seemingly peaceful dream to those she describes it to. But every morning she wakes in a panic, unsure of what caused her fear. Shortly before her sixteenth birthday, Annie discovers that her parents have been keeping a terrible secret. At fourteen months old, Annie was deserted in the woods by her then fifteen year old mother. After viewing the mugshot of her biological mother, Annie realizes that the dreams she has been having may actually be a memory. She begins a journey in hopes of finding answers about her past, but finds her present begins to fall apart in the process.
“Justin?”
Annie could practically feel the moment he snapped. He stood up violently, causing her to fall forward onto a nearby rock. Her knee stung where her bone struck the hard stone. He plunged forward, grabbing her arm and dragging her up towards him.
“What is wrong with you?!” he screamed into her face.
She closed her eyes in an attempt to prevent the image of him, like this, being stuck in her mind. This wasn’t her Justin. This monster wasn’t him.
“Look at me when I’m trying to talk to you! Don’t you understand the meaning of the word stop?! I am so sick of this, Annie! All you care about anymore is your god damn mother. I can’t stand it! I can’t stand you! No wonder she abandoned you!”
Justin shook her fiercely as he spoke, releasing his grip when he was done. She fell back forcefully, striking her head on the rock behind her. Her vision danced with rainbows from the impact. Annie reached back and felt her hair, sticky with warm blood.
Justin stared down at her, his expression a mixture of shock and anger. He stepped backward slowly, unsure of how to react. Annie couldn’t speak. She couldn’t cry or call out or stop him. Panic finally overtook Justin’s face. He turned and ran back down the path leaving Annie on her own, bloodied and humiliated.