Writing for Teenagers

Tutor: Gill James
Introductory workshop looking at the characteristics of YA fiction
Bentilee Library, Stoke-on-Trent (about 6 miles from Cheadle)
Saturday 26 September, 10.00--3.30
Cost: Free

Take your own lunch

If you are interested in attending this workshop, phone 01782 231315
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Junk!

I thought I might recommend Junk by Melvin Burgess. Although this is aimed at the YA market, it warrants reading by adults, especially those with children, to help them understand their offspring. Junk tells of two young teenagers who run away from home, one from an abusive father, the other... Well, her reasons aren't as strong to the book's other protagonists. Gemma and David end up in squats in Bristol, amongst the unemployed, druggies, prostitutes. And it is only inevitable that they fall into this pit. Junk follows their life from several viewpoints, like the statements of all protagonists; and they come over with verisimilitude. Junk is so convincing. It is a salutory story which, I suspect, acts as a better caveat than all manner of warnings by teachers, politicians and parents.
--- Peter Coleborn