For six years, Ashley Asher endures the unthinkable at the hands of Charlie, her alcoholic stepfather. When she finally gets up enough courage to tell her mother about the abuse, she's shocked to find that the woman who is supposed to protect her more fiercely than anyone else, doesn't believe the accusations against her husband. Ashley's mom dismisses the whole thing, even suggesting that Ashley brought it on herself by flirting with her stepfather. Her mother's denial rocks Ashley to the core. "I broke into lots of tiny pieces on the inside," she says, "like if someone hit a mirror with a hammer, over and over again" (54).

Hi Beth. Welcome to Bloggin' 'bout Books! Let's talk about your book ...

Me: I think it's pretty obvious why you wrote Courage In Patience, but I guess I want to hear it in your own words - What inspired you to write this book?? ?

BF: In the course of my recovery from childhood sexual abuse, I wrote a lot of poems and short stories and shared them with my therapist. One day, he suggested that I try writing a novel. It took about four months to pull myself out of my own head enough to attempt writing about someone else's recovery. When I was able to do that, the story began to flow. I wrote it for myself, initially. It was only as I neared the ending that I began to think about seeking publication for it, because I realized that it could provide hope for others who were on the same path as I, and help people who love those who have been abused to understand what it is like to live in that world, in that dark place-- and to show them, too, that there is hope. It's found in truth.

Me: To me, your book felt more like a memoir than a novel. Why did you choose to tell your story through fiction?? How did this format help or hinder your ability to tell an authentic story?
BF: First of all, I suppose I need to clear up a misconception here. This is not my story. It is not an autobiography or a memoir. I must say I am flattered that it reads as if it is a memoir, because that tells me that I did well my job of bringing Ashley Nicole Asher to "life."

Me: In the book, you portray a variety of authority figures who react to Ash's allegations against her stepfather in different ways. Some are instantly supportive, others are skeptical, and still others are in flat-out denial. Why do you think some adults react so negatively to children's pleas for help? And, what do you think our responsibilities as parents, teachers, and administrators are in regards to the kids we have "authority" over?

BF: I believe that the choice that some adults make to ignore children's pleas for help is rooted in their unwillingness to face the truth when it's an ugly thing to see. In terms of parents, it is a parent's responsibility to love and protect his or her child. Period. Anything less is unacceptable.

With regard to teachers and administrators, the law is very clear in that a child's outcry for help must be reported to authorities.

Me: Like Ash's stepmother, you work with victims of sexual abuse through your job as an English teacher. In what ways can reading and writing help kids overcome the obstacles in their lives, whether they are experiencing abuse, racial slurs, problems with parents, etc?

I work with all kinds of kids in my capacity as a teacher, and the thing that all kids-- all people, for that matter-- need to know is that they are not alone in dealing with problems. Kids feel less isolated when they read stories which feature characters they can identify with. Writing is a wonderful way for all people to take what is in their heads and see it in black and white. Not only does it help one take a step back and be able to see what's going on in a less emotional way, but it's also a valid way of processing events. And, should they choose to do so, when kids share what is going on with them through writing, they are pretty much guaranteed that they will not be interrupted in their telling. Writing often feels safer than talking.

Me: The back cover of Courage In Patience states that it is "Suitable for classroom study" and contains "No graphic content." I'll be honest with you, I don't agree with this statement at all. If my child's teacher assigned it, I would have to seriously think about whether or not I would let my kid read it. I know you're anti-censorship, but do you really think your book is suitable for classroom reading? Why or why not? I know you believe in authenticity and truth-telling, but how much truth is too much truth for kids, especially those who have never experienced the kind of abuse you're talking about?

BF: This is a complicated issue with several considerations to be kept in mind. First, the age and maturity of the reader. I did not necessarily write Courage in Patience with a YA audience in mind, nor did I label it as "suitable for classroom reading" or as having "no graphic content." The publishing house made the decision to put those statements on the cover.

Some of the scenes in the book are painful to read, I know. That said, I believe that teenagers are much more capable of dealing with life's messiness when it's on the pages of a book, rather than within their day-to-day existence. A lot of kids, though, are not so lucky as to be blissfully unaware of abuse. At any rate, I would like to think that Courage in Patience will be the springboard to dialogue between adults and teenagers, particularly when these statistics are considered:

1 in 4 girls (25%) are sexually abused by the age of 18.

1 in 6 boys (17%) are sexually abused by the age of 18.

Most teen sexual abuse victims (7 in 10, or 70%) know their abuser. It is generally a family member, or someone close to the family.

Of female Americans who are raped, 54 percent of them experience this type of sexual abuse for the first time before they are 18.

A victim of one incident of teen sexual abuse is likely to experience further sexual abuse.

Teenagers account for 51% of all reported sexual abuse.

Teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 are 3.5 times more likely than the general public to be victims of sexual abuse.

69% of the incidences of teen sexual abuse occur in a residence.

23% of all sexual offenders are under the age of 18.

Female victims of teen sexual abuse while in grades 9 through 12 are more likely than others to experience eating disorders, suicidal behavior, pregnancy and risky sexual behaviors.

(SOURCE: http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-abuse/sexual-abuse-stats.html)

As you can see, in a classroom of teenagers, roughly a quarter of them-- or more-- have experienced sexual abuse. I think it is important that these people know they are not alone. Courage in Patience is not, however, at its root, about sexual abuse. It is about finding freedom and healing through truth, and second chances when those things seemed out of the realm of possibility, among other things.

While I do understand what I am perceiving as your discomfort with some of the aspects of Courage in Patience, I am committed to truth-telling and authenticity. I believe teenagers are intelligent enough beings to make up their own minds about what they want to read, and I absolutely support parents having dialogue with their kids about what their kids are reading. You're right about my stance on censorship. I do not believe that books should be banned. While I respect parents' rights to, with their teenagers, decide which books fit into their families' value systems, I think it is wrong to dictate to others which ideas are suitable to consider on the pages of a book.

Me: I see that you're working on a sequel to Courage In Patience - tell me a little about that. What does life have in store for Ash Asher?

BF: Yes, I am at work on the sequel to Courage in Patience, titled Hope in Patience. Ashley is continuing to struggle to accept "what IS," with respect to her relationship with her mother and the challenges she faces as a result of her scars. Beyond that, it's still so early in the birthing process that I do not want to share more at this time.

Me: What kind of response have you gotten from readers of your book? Has it gotten the reaction you expected?

BF: The response to Courage in Patience has been overwhelmingly positive. I did not really have preconceived notions of what the reaction would be, although it was my goal that readers would recognize the love that Ashley is surrounded by in her father's family, and the healing that occurs. Everyone who has read it so far and contacted me has found Ashley to be a very lovable, empathetic character that they found themselves rooting for.

Me: What advice would you give to victims of sexual abuse, especially children and teens, who are struggling to deal with the trauma they have experienced? What have you learned from your own experience that can help kids cope with victimization??

BF: Any child or teen who has been victimized by someone else needs to know that what happened is not his or her fault. That's very important, because there is so much shame borne by the victim that really belongs to the abuser.

With respect to my own experiences, I would just say to anyone who has been abused, "There is hope. Don't give up. It's sometimes the hardest work you'll ever do in your life, but keep going anyway."

Me: Chris Crutcher has obviously been a big inspiration for you. How have his books influenced your writing? Do you teach his books in your classroom? How do students and parents react to novels like his?

BF: Chris Crutcher has influenced me through his commitment to truth-telling, to writing stories in which teens can find themselves, and to his stance against censorship. I do not teach teenagers any more, so, no, I do not teach his books in my classroom. Chris' books are some of the most frequently awarded-- by organizations that recognize the value of his stories-- and also the most banned-- by people who are either afraid of the truth or who want to dictate for all of us what is suitable to read. His site, http://www.chriscrutcher.com, has a lot more info about his battles on behalf of the First Amendment.

Me: Finally, I ask this of every author I interview, because I find the answers so fascinating. How do you write? What routines do you follow? Do you write at a certain time every day or in a certain place? Do you follow an outline or let the story flow on its own?

BF: Courage in Patience was written in the wee hours of the morning. I have been working on Hope in Patience during the daylight hours, particularly over the past summer when I was off from school. I would start in the morning, stop at noon, then keep going until late afternoon. Many days I looked up in surprise to see that hours have passed. Those are great writing days.

No matter what time of day I write, I need a lack of distractions in order to lose myself in the story. I do not have an outline per se. The story flows on its own; I ask myself what happens next. I rewrite a lot, and drink massive quantities of Diet Coke. At times, I listen to music on my iPod-- folk singers and songwriters such as Chuck Pyle, Kate Wolf, Tom Russell, Shawn Colvin. Their music is soothing to me, and something about the songs they write makes my Writing Muse very content.

Me: Thanks so much for chatting with me, Beth.

So, wow, I've been reading and blogging so much that my eyes hurt. That ever happen to anyone else? Mine get really red from the strain. I'm going to take a break here in a sec, but I wanted to mention a few things:

First, if you read my last review, you know that I'm going to be writing tests for the reading program at my kids' school. I'm really excited about this, probably pathetically so :) I just love the idea of encouraging kids to read, read, read. This program is something I would have just eaten up as a kid. Anyway, I mention it because you will probably see more YA/middle grade books on here than ever before. I mean, I've always read YA, but it looks as if I may be doing a lot more of it. So, just a heads up.

There are a lot of things coming up in the next couple months on BBB. Of course, there will always be book reviews. Some great author interviews are coming up as well - I'll be chatting with the likes of Kirby Larson, Catherine Ryan Hyde, J. Scott Savage and others. I will be posting an interesting interview with Beth Fehlbaum tomorrow, which has inspired me to write a post on censorship. I haven't finished it, but eventually it will go up. More book giveaways will also be coming. I wish I could say that I will be hosting my very own challenge, but things have been too crazy lately to even think about such a thing! Anyway, stay tuned. Good things are coming!

On a more serious note, I also wanted to say that it seems to be rough times for our fellow bloggers, from the whole Nie Nie thing to our own Amanda and Stephanie. Even though I don't know most of you IRL, I feel like I do, and my heart grieves when I hear about difficulties in your lives. If you lived close, I would rush over with a casserole, or better yet - a good book. I want you to know, though, that I truly believe there is a God who hears and answers our prayers. When I say I'm praying for you, I mean that very literally. It's the only thing I can do - I hope it brings some little comfort in trying times.

I'm still trying to catch up on all of your blogs. With my move and all that entails, I am woefully behind. However, I wanted to make you aware of some great giveaways and events that are going on. Of course, you've probably heard about most of them, since I'm usually the last to post this kind of stuff. I'm going to spread the linky love anyway! As always, if I missed a giveaway or fun even happening at your blog, leave me a comment. I hate to ignore any chance for free books!

Okay, here ya go:

Booking Mama is hosting two giveaways, one for Matrimony by Joshua Henkin, and one for Suspicious Minds by Christy Barrit.

Sam Houston is also giving away a copy of Matrimony. The giveaway ends on Friday, so hurry on over there.

Amanda is offering Saturdays with Stella by Allison Pittman. The contest ends on Friday at midnight, so hurry on over.

You've probably all heard about Natasha's efforts to raise money and awareness for Darfur. If you haven't had the chance to donate (or just haven't gotten around to it like slacker me), do it!

J. Scott Savage, who has been very grateful and gracious to us book bloggers, is having a release party on Saturday, September 13th from 12-3 at the library in Spanish Fork, Utah. There will be food, free stuff, giveaways, etc. Twenty percent of the proceeds from book sales will go to the library. If you live in Utah, go give him some support.

I got an interesting e-mail from Lynn Brittney, author of Christine Kringle. She is holding a contest for readers aged 9-90 to come up with a 1-page synopsis for the sequel to the book. The winner will receive $5,000 as well as his/her name on the cover of Brittney's new novel. How fun is that? Information is here. By the way, I tried to find the book at my local library to no avail, so I'm not sure how easy it will be to find. I don't even know if it's worth reading, but the contest sounds so fun!

Finally, run over to Amy's blog to find out what's going on with Book Bloggers Appreciation Week. Don't forget to vote for the finalists - I was excited to see that several of my nominations made it to the next level. She also has giveaways, a survey and other stuff. Check it out.

My eyes are really bugging now, so I better stop. As always, Happy Reading!

If you live in the same city as I do (and I know some of you do), you're probably aware that recent budget cuts have forced the school district to eliminate librarian positions. I've heard rumors that the most prevalent reading program in our elementary schools - A.R. - will also be phased out. As a bibliophile with two elementary-age bookworms, this makes me sad. Since we just moved, said bookworms are now attending a school that boasts its own "homegrown" reading program. It's low-tech (kids read books then take paper tests about them to earn points toward rewards), so it should be safe from budget reductions. However, it takes an army of parents to read books, write tests, file tests, grade tests, etc. I'm absolutely thrilled to be one of the soldiers.

So, last week when I went in to help, the lady who runs the library showed me her stack of books for which she needed tests written. I grabbed a few, but the stories in Gordon Korman's Kidnapped series are the ones that really grabbed my attention. Apparently, I'm not the only one so beguiled - the students have been requesting tests right and left for these books. After reading the whole trilogy, I can certainly see why. Although I had never heard of Korman before this, he's written a whole slew of action/adventure books. If they are as riveting as the three I read, I'll be visiting the K section of the children's library in the near future.

Book 1: The Abduction

The first book in the series introduces us to Aiden and Meg Falconer, two kids who were forced to live as fugitives after their parents were jailed on suspicion of aiding terrorists. Although I didn't realize this when I started The Abduction, their whole backstory is told in an earlier series. Anyway, now the kids are back home with their parents, living normal lives. Well, as normal as life can be after weeks on the run. It's a big adjustment for them to be forced to sit still in a classroom after their adrenaline-pumping adventures. At least they're safe and sound now. It's not exactly a peaceful life - there are still people out there who believe the Falconer's are traitors to the U.S. - but at least the kids can sleep in their own beds at night. Now they can put the whole trauma out of their minds and get on with their ordinary lives.

That's what they think until one afternoon when three strangers grab Meg, stuff her into a van, and race off. Aiden manages to get away, but he's appalled that he couldn't save his sister. When the FBI gets involved, none of the Falconers are overjoyed to see Agent Harris again. After all, he's the one responsible for wrongly imprisoning John and Louise Falconer in the first place. Competence obviously isn't the man's strong point.

Aiden's time on the run forced him to trust his instincts; fortunately, he hasn't forgotten how. When he sees an odd news story about a flag that has been forced off its pole, he knows it's a sign from his sister. Agent Harris is under enough pressure after being publicly humiliated by the whole Falconer scandal; he's not about to send men out to investigate Aiden's wild claim. Meanwhile, Meg's holding her own against her abductors. She even manages to slip a Help! note outside the warehouse where she's being held.

When a ransom note appears on a popular website, the FBI decides to try to lure the kidnappers out of hiding. Using Aiden as bait, the agents set their trap. Harris experiences another public humiliation when the plan goes terribly awry, placing two more kids in danger. In the end, Aiden finds himself looking down the barrel of a loaded gun. Will his bravery (stupidity?) get him any closer to his sister, or will all the danger be for naught?

Book Two: The Search

When the second book opens, Meg is bouncing around inside the trunk of her kidnappers' car. Location unknown. Destination unknown. A plan she read about in one of her dad's cheesy detective novels help her escape, but only briefly. The abductors find another cage for her, one they are sure she can't fight her way out of. Once again, they underestimate Meg. Using skills honed during her weeks as a fugitive plus more ideas from her dad's books, she tries to stay ahead of her sinister captors. Sometimes she succeeds, sometimes she doesn't.

Aiden's so sick with worry that even chess games with his best friend, Richie, can't keep his mind focused. He's ecstatic that bumbling Agent Harris is off the case, but the new guy in charge doesn't seem much more helpful. When Aiden reads a news story about a series of overflowing bathrooms along a rural highway, he knows it is Meg sending him messages. Agent Sorenson dismisses the notion. After a desperate call to Agent Harris, Aiden realizes he's on his own. If he doesn't follow the clues Meg is leaving him, no one will. Sneaking past the FBI agents guarding his home, Aiden begins his own journey, one that will have him hiding in chicken coops, crawling through the sewer and facing the razor-sharp knife of a veteran soldier.

As much as Meg hopes for rescue, she, too, realizes she will have to save herself. With help from a surprising source, she manages to escape, but only to find herself up against a brick wall. Actually, worse. Now, she's lost on an empty mountain with a blizzard threatening her survival.

On the homefront, John and Louise Falconer worry about both of their children, their only comfort coming in the form of blogger extraordinaire, Rufus Sehorn. The only communication from the kidnappers has been through his website. Unfortunately, very little is coming through. Can the FBI find their daughter? What about their son, who's being tracked by the less-than-efficient Agent Harris? After all they have suffered, are they about to lose their children, too?

Book Three: The Rescue

The final book in the series begins right in the middle of the action. Meg is stumbling around in a blizzard trying not to let herself succumb to the nasty storm. A telephone pole gives her an idea - a crazy idea gleaned from the pages of her dad's dumb detective novels. Dumb as it might be, her efforts attract the attention of Aiden and Agent Harris, who begin a mad search for any sign of Meg or her kidnappers.

The blizzard makes their search nearly impossible, and try as they might, they can't find Meg. When they finally stumble upon the kidnappers' hideout, Aiden and Agent Harris find help from the most unlikely of sources. They're hot on the trail as the abductors set up a ransom drop.

Tired of waiting for the FBI to find Meg, John and Louise Falconer turn to the one person who has supported them along the way - blogger Rufus Sehorn. He vows to gather the $3 million the kidnappers are demanding. Soon, the adults are sneaking by the agents watching the house, speeding toward the drop spot without any police backup. When they arrive at the abandoned mine, the elder Falconers receive a shock that changes everything about the whole kidnapping.

When all parties converge on the mine, it becomes a life-and-death showdown. With guns, a growling bear, and tunnels that could collapse at any moment, it's a dangerous situation for everyone. Who will be trapped in the deteriorating mine? Who will come out alive? What are the real reasons behind Meg's kidnapping? Most important of all, will the Falconers lives every be normal again?

My Thoughts - I can definitely see why kids like these books. The fast-paced, exciting plots kept me riveted. They are quick reads - each took me about 1 1/2 hours - which is a good thing because I couldn't resist racing through them to find out what was going to happen. The stories all offer twists, turns and thrilling cliffhangers, but they don't quite triumph over predictability. I enjoyed the various schemes the Falconer kids come up with, but they are all pretty far-fetched. I also think the whole idea of the kidnapping might scare some kids. When my 6-year-old asked to read the books, I told her no, because I think they would give her nightmares. Of course, the kids triumph in the end, mostly by using their own skills and intuition, but I just think the whole idea of a kidnapping is too frightening for my daughter. In addition, the books don't portray police and FBI agents in a very good light. I'm sure it's realistic in some ways, but it bothered me a little. Still, Korman pens a fun, action-packed adventure series that will suck in even reluctant readers.

Grade: B

(Book images from Barnes & Noble)