Torn - Hardcover

Guerra, Stephanie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0761462724 ISBN 13: 9780761462729

Publisher: Skyscape, 2012

Synopsis

Stella Chavez is your classic good girl: straight As, clean-cut boyfriends, and soccer trophies. You'd never guess that Stella's dad was a drug addict who walked out when she was a kid. Or that inside, Stella wishes for something more. New girl Ruby Caroline seems like Stella's polar opposite: cursing, smoking, and teetering in sky-high heels. But with Ruby, Stella gets a taste of another world a world in which parents act like roommates, college men are way more interesting than high school boys, and there is nothing that shouldn't be tried once. It's not long before Stella finds herself torn: between the best friend she's ever had and the friends she's known forever, between her family and her own independence, between who she was and who she wants to be. But Ruby has a darker side, a side she doesn't show anyone not even Stella. As Stella watches her friend slowly unravel, she will have to search deep inside herself for the strength to be a true friend, even if it means committing the ultimate betrayal.

About this title

About the Author

Stephanie Guerra has an M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Notre Dame. She teaches children's literature at Seattle University and is the Seattle Host for Readergirlz, a blog about young adult fiction. She also teaches creative writing at King County Jail and researches literacy instruction for at-risk and incarcerated teens. Stephanie lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband and children. Torn is her first novel. Find out more: www.stephanieguerra.com.

From School Library Journal

***(Audiobook) Guerra’s gritty novel is a spectacularly realistic portrait of a teen torn between her former friends and the new girl in school, running the family household and having fun in high school, and being a friend who goes along with anything or one who really cares. Often stories like this are moralistic, with the good girl celebrated and the bad one shunned. But sometimes the choices aren’t so clear-cut. Stella is a senior, a soccer player, and has hung around with the same group of girls since elementary school. When Ruby arrives in school one day, Stella is intrigued by her aloofness and her disregard for the rules. Ruby is a wild child—she sneaks out, smokes weed, dates college guys, and seemingly has no parental oversight. Stella is a good kid and, despite knowing Ruby is “trouble,” she likes her and begins taking on the role of parent when Ruby acts out. Both girls have good hearts, and that’s the basis for their friendship. With Stella’s responsibilities at home, a little wildness is just what she needs and Ruby can provide it. However, when Ruby begins dating an older man and turns to drugs, Stella begins looking into his life. What she finds out is dangerous. Does she intervene to save Ruby and risk losing a friendship in order to save her friend? This is a wonderful story with real characters in real situations. Casey Holloway’s narration is as authentic as the story she is telling. A compelling listen that won’t stay on the self.–Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA School Library Journal starred review

Edition details

• Publisher: Skyscape
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0761462724
• ISBN 13: 9780761462729
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 272