Novels

    Growing up in New Jersey during the sixties, one of my friends lived in a house with secret passages and chambers like homes on the Underground Railroad. With friends of various ethnicities, both then and now, I became intrigued with the twist of person of color protecting a bigot in those spaces, compelling me to write Turn, a completed middle grade novel.

     In the summer of 1966, Birdie Baxter just wants the kids to like her, like any other thirteen year old.

     “Hi, I’m Birdie.” I stick out my hand in greeting.

    Lila nods. She doesn’t smile or shake my hand.

     Anna is looking at the stuff in the car. After a few seconds of silence she turns around and says, “Oh. Hi. I’m Anna.”

     “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Lila says, offering her hand and smiling at Anna.

     It’s not like I haven’t experienced prejudice before, but most Northerners hide it better. Like they’ll shake your hand, but then, when they think you aren’t looking, they’ll wipe it off. I tuck my hand in my pocket. My insides churn. Mum says prejudiced people are ignorant, and it’s up to us to teach them the truth. Daddy says the Bible tells us to turn the other cheek, which must be easier for a grownup to do, because I don’t think the cheek I feel like turning is mentioned in the Bible.

     Birdie hopes playing a Rickenbacker 370 electric guitar, like the one played on her favorite song, Turn, might help her fit in better. With her parents insisting she pay for it herself, Birdie fears she’ll never get the guitar, especially after the mysterious new neighbors, Mrs. Beauchamp and her daughter, Lila, spoil Birdie’s money making plan. But when Lila’s life is threatened, Birdie’s life take an unexpected turn.