Overview

What if you witnessed the kidnapping of your best friend? This is when life changed for 12-year old Paige Bellen. Just three years after her friend Robin’s kidnapping and murder, Paige is expected to continue on with life as usual. Now, with her closest friend out of the country, a messy relationship with Robin’s boyfriend, and a family that handles her with kid gloves, Paige isn’t sure if she’ll ever be able to move forward in life. Bear Witness explores the aftermath of a crime in a small community and what it means when tragedy colors the experience of being a young adult. USA Best Book Awards: Fiction: Young Adult, Finalist

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9781940716756

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Reviews

A portrait of heartbreak and resilience, and what happens to those left behind . . . a devastatingly good read. --Laura Fitzgerald, national bestselling author of Veil of Roses and Dreaming in English Melissa Clark's Bear Witness takes a piercing look at the world of Paige Bellen, a young woman whose transition into adolescence is haunted by the kidnapping and death of her best friend: 'One minute everything was normal and then a door opened and it was never the same.' By presenting Paige's narrative in reverse chronological order, Clark unsettles the normal and the ordinary, to reveal the cracks in such notions as safety, refuge and innocence. A harrowing, resonant portrait of girlhood trauma. --Rigoberto Gonzalez, author of Butterfly Boy and The Mariposa Club Melissa Clark has crafted a perceptive and highly compelling story of a teenage girl, in the wake of a terrible trauma. It is an intense and emotional read, one that left me breathless. Bear Witness is a unique combination of page-turner and astutely worded character observation. --Alan Lazar, author of Roam A glimpse inside an experience we all would hope never to have to explore. Melissa Clark has told a powerful story. --Davida Wills Hurwin, author of A Time for Dancing and Freaks and Revelations A portrait of heartbreak and resilience, and what happens to those left behind . . . a devastatingly good read. Laura Fitzgerald, national bestselling author of Veil of Roses and Dreaming in English Melissa Clark s Bear Witness takes a piercing look at the world of Paige Bellen, a young woman whose transition into adolescence is haunted by the kidnapping and death of her best friend: One minute everything was normal and then a door opened and it was never the same. By presenting Paige s narrative in reverse chronological order, Clark unsettles the normal and the ordinary, to reveal the cracks in such notions as safety, refuge and innocence. A harrowing, resonant portrait of girlhood trauma. Rigoberto Gonzalez, author of Butterfly Boy and The Mariposa Club Melissa Clark has crafted a perceptive and highly compelling story of a teenage girl, in the wake of a terrible trauma. It is an intense and emotional read, one that left me breathless. Bear Witness is a unique combination of page-turner and astutely worded character observation. Alan Lazar, author of Roam A glimpse inside an experience we all would hope never to have to explore. Melissa Clark has told a powerful story. Davida Wills Hurwin, author of A Time for Dancing and Freaks and Revelations

A portrait of heartbreak and resilience, and what happens to those left behind . . . a devastatingly good read. Laura Fitzgerald, national bestselling author of Veil of Roses and Dreaming in English Melissa Clark s Bear Witness takes a piercing look at the world of Paige Bellen, a young woman whose transition into adolescence is haunted by the kidnapping and death of her best friend: One minute everything was normal and then a door opened and it was never the same. By presenting Paige s narrative in reverse chronological order, Clark unsettles the normal and the ordinary, to reveal the cracks in such notions as safety, refuge and innocence. A harrowing, resonant portrait of girlhood trauma. Rigoberto Gonzalez, author of Butterfly Boy and The Mariposa Club Melissa Clark has crafted a perceptive and highly compelling story of a teenage girl, in the wake of a terrible trauma. It is an intense and emotional read, one that left me breathless. Bear Witness is a unique combination of page-turner and astutely worded character observation. Alan Lazar, author of Roam A glimpse inside an experience we all would hope never to have to explore. Melissa Clark has told a powerful story. Davida Wills Hurwin, author of A Time for Dancing and Freaks and Revelations

Author Information

Melissa Clark is an author, television writer and college instructor. She is the author of the novels, Bear Witness, Swimming Upstream, Slowly, and Imperfect. Her essay, “Rachael Ray Saved My Life” is included in the anthology The Cassoulet Saved Our Marriage. She is also the creator of the animated television series, “Braceface,” starring the voice of Alicia Silverstone which aired on the ABC Family Channel. She has written scripts for “Rolie Polie Olie,” “Totally Spies,” “Sweet Valley High,” among others. Melissa teaches creative writing and literature courses both privately and at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles.

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