Writer Wednesday - For that YA Reader in Your Life

Wild Women Authors 

By Kat Henry Doran 

For The YA Reader in Your Life 

I recently did a book swap with the eldest of the four bright lights in my life. Knowing she’s into the fantasy and paranormal genres, In an effort to keep lines of communication open, I told her about two YA books which recently came across my book reviewer desk. 

The Haunted Purse by Kimberly Baer offers a 15yo ‘throw-away’ who, after discovering a magical tote bag at her favorite thrift shop, sees her life change. The book teaches several important lessons about the grit and spine of a child who lives—quite successfully—on her own with the occasional assistance of nosy neighbors and caring teachers. It’ll break your heart. 

Dragons Walk Among Us by Dan Rice, is right up the alley for any kid who goes for the “woo-woo” side of things. After a budding teenage photographic journalist loses her sight, she consents to a futuristic robotic-type transplant to regain her vision. It works—except now she sees vividly colored dragons behind those who thwart her ambitions, then her very life. This is an enjoyable, edge of your seat thriller. 

For her part of the swap, my source recommended This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp, a prolific YA writer. This book is ‘the bomb’ according to her. The premise, which involves a school shooter, is both horrifying and redemptive, and reminds adults how their actions now affect the next generation for the rest of their lives. Caution: this is better for ages 16 and up. 

© 2023 Kat Henry Doran All Rights Reserved 

Former legal nurse consultant, victim advocate, sexual assault nurse examiner author Kat Henry Doran (and her alter ego Veronica Lynch) has been there and done that--many times over. The name she treasures most is Nana to the four brightest lights in her life: Meredith, Ashlin, Owen, and Kieran. She frequently travels from her home close to the shores of Lake Ontario in Western New York State to the Saint Lawrence River region as well as the historic Adirondack and Catskill Mountain ranges for settings in her books which feature strong characters who stand for the ‘less thans’ in this world. www.WildWomenAuthorsx2.blogspot.com