Diva Delight: Zoom, Zoom

Okay, two Diva Delights in one evening. But sometimes that happens, right? So, whatever happened to that character Dale in my verse novel Hold Me Tight?



He has grown up and is going super fast! Not surprising if you read the book. :~)

Any racing rgz, out there? Check this out! Zoom, zoom!

Beth Kephart reviews HOLD ME TIGHT by Lorie Ann Grover!

Our lovely author-in-residence, Beth Kephart (remember to enter November's Then and Now Challenge!) has written a gorgeous tribute to our own Lorie Ann Grover's Hold Me Tight.

Beth says of the novel-in-poems "In line after line, Lorie Ann masterfully reveals a child grappling to understand, and to forgive."

Hooray for Lorie Ann's beautiful book and Beth's thoughtful contemplation of it.

June recommend: Hold Me Tight

"In Miami, Florida, ten-year-old Essie has trouble finding the strength and courage to overcome her feelings of fear, guilt, and shame when her father abandons their family, a classmate is kidnapped, and then a family friend molests her." Annotation from Barnes & Noble

Lorie Ann here! I have to thank the postergirlz for recommending my most recent novel, Hold Me Tight, to accompany Sara Zarr's Sweethearts. It is such an honor!

Like Cameron's disappearance, Chris in my novel disappears. My main character, Essie, is left wondering what has happened and where Chris is.

Essie seeks to define herself in the midst of her trials as Jenna has worked so hard to do by the opening of her story. Both girls experience abuse from adults and try to manage it. Both have childhood sweethearts. Yes, I see the similarities!

Here are a few facts that are little known about Hold Me Tight:

* Essie is mostly me.
* My brothers really are named Dale and Kevin.
* I did know a boy in 5th grade who sat in front of me and was kidnapped. He was shot, stabbed, and left for dead in the Everglades.
* I saw Chris, as an adult, on Oprah and Dateline.
* A reporter was able to reconnect us when my book launched.
* Chris' daughter wrote me when she was 10 and thanked me for writing about her father's experience as it gave her more understanding. (How full circle is that?)

Thank you, postergirlz, for the nod for Hold Me Tight! I'm so touched to be among your amazing June recommends!