Hugging the Rock

I received a great surprise in the mail last week: an advance release copy of Hugging the Rock by Susan Taylor Brown (September 2006, Tricycle Press). Hugging the Rock is a middle grade novel written in verse, but don’t let the poetry and young protagonist fool you. This novel deals with some heavy issues.

Rachel’s mother runs away from home and she is left behind with her father, an emotionally-distant man she barely knows. The reader is thrown into the middle of Rachel’s journey as she looks for answers and acceptance.

Susan Taylor Brown tells a moving story in Hugging the Rock. She dares to bring painful emotions to the surface, connecting with her readers through shared feelings and experiences.

A powerful novel with the potential to spark heart-to-heart conversations among families and friends.

LINKS: My October 2005 inteview with Susan at YA Books Central after the release of her picture book, Oliver's Must-Do List.

Susan was guest author at Children's Media Professionals Forum last week. Join the group and learn more about Susan's inspiration for Hugging the Rock.

DOWNLOAD: Download an excerpt from Hugging the Rock. Check it out; you'll be hooked!