Awards

• In the Margins: Best Books for Teens Nominee

Overview

After serving time for assault, Jada lands in foster care and a new school. She knows she has to control her bursts of anger if she wants to live with her mom. Can she turn her life around?

Full Product Details

9781467744843

Table of Contents

Reviews

4Q 3P S Last chances are abundant in The Alternative, a new series by Jones. Dealing with different situations, from illegal immigration to diagnosable metal disorders, each of the books in The Alternative chronicles the 'last chance' of a student at the Rondo Alternative High School. These books differ from other hi-lo series, like Bluford High, in that they do not follow the formulaic 'street lit' plot. While Jada may be in foster care because she has served time for assault in Outburst, the victim of Jada's crime is not revealed until much later in the book and serves as a shocking admission giving the book a mysterious tone. The same is also true for Jos in his story, Bridge, in which his admission of a lie takes center stage over his family's illegal presence in the United States. Each of the books ends with an author's note describing the path taken to get to the meat of the story and, unlike most books dealing with last chance scenarios, not all of the books have a happy ending, providing a realistic look at how hard life can be when all the odds are stacked against someone. Because of Jones's extensive experience working in juvenile detention centers and with teens at many alternative centers, these books are quite realistic and make an excellent bridge for lower level readers and fans of the popular Bluford High and Urban Underground series who are looking for more of a challenge. --VOYA --Journal Patrick Jones has written a series focusing on the harsh realities of Rondo Alternative High School students trying to survive their last chance at getting an education. Each title follows a different student as he or she faces common everyday challenges, but not so common to many other students their age. These high-interest low-level books provide intriguing storylines packed into a relatively short novel. The books feature diverse characters dealing with real-life situations, struggling to succeed in a world where the cards seem to be stacked against them. This series should attract an array of readers seeking an edgier teenage drama. [Editor's Note: Available in e-book format and paperback.] Recommended. Library Media Connection --Journal

Patrick Jones has written a series focusing on the harsh realities of Rondo Alternative High School students trying to survive their last chance at getting an education. Each title follows a different student as he or she faces common everyday challenges, but not so common to many other students their age. These high-interest low-level books provide intriguing storylines packed into a relatively short novel. The books feature diverse characters dealing with real-life situations, struggling to succeed in a world where the cards seem to be stacked against them. This series should attract an array of readers seeking an edgier teenage drama. [Editor's Note: Available in e-book format and paperback.] Recommended. Library Media Connection --Journal 4Q 3P S Last chances are abundant in The Alternative, a new series by Jones. Dealing with different situations, from illegal immigration to diagnosable metal disorders, each of the books in The Alternative chronicles the 'last chance' of a student at the Rondo Alternative High School. These books differ from other hi-lo series, like Bluford High, in that they do not follow the formulaic 'street lit' plot. While Jada may be in foster care because she has served time for assault in Outburst, the victim of Jada's crime is not revealed until much later in the book and serves as a shocking admission giving the book a mysterious tone. The same is also true for Jos in his story, Bridge, in which his admission of a lie takes center stage over his family's illegal presence in the United States. Each of the books ends with an author's note describing the path taken to get to the meat of the story and, unlike most books dealing with last chance scenarios, not all of the books have a happy ending, providing a realistic look at how hard life can be when all the odds are stacked against someone. Because of Jones's extensive experience working in juvenile detention centers and with teens at many alternative centers, these books are quite realistic and make an excellent bridge for lower level readers and fans of the popular Bluford High and Urban Underground series who are looking for more of a challenge. --VOYA --Journal

Author Information

Patrick Jones lives in Minneapolis and is the author of many novels including the Support and Defend series. A former librarian, Jones received lifetime achievement awards from the American Library Association and the Catholic Library Association.

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