The Glister Journals: Bronze
Allison Anderson knows she’s a little different, but it hadn’t bothered her too much-until now. Moving away from everything she’s ever known to a new house, new neighborhood, and new school is bad enough, but it’s her first year of high school too, making it even more intimidating. She’s more aware of her social and physical limitations than ever before. And then there are the new people she meets: the tough-looking girl in her home room; the cute but dangerous-looking boy she first saw before school even started; the quiet, older girl who keeps to herself; the sullen-looking, seemingly isolated junior that doesn’t seem to trust or like her at all. Can she trust them? While the peaceful situation of her new home only amplifies the sound of her own doubts, she begins to learn that things are not always what they seem, and her world is turned upside-down by these new friends, two-legged and otherwise. Life soon becomes more complicated, and much more interesting!
About The Glister Journals series:
The Glister Journals series is told from the perspective of a normal but not average teenage girl. It is not obvious, but Allison has a mild pervasive developmental disorder (autism spectrum). She thinks and experiences things a little differently from most of the other kids. In the past it has caused her to be alienated at best and bullied at worst. After the family moves, she becomes involved with a group of teens that open up new worlds to her. The four book series follows her through high school but is equally about her friends who have their own problems, fears, and aspects of their lives they’d rather keep quiet. There is action—mostly in the form of equestrian and extreme sports—and though there are only hints of it in Bronze, there is a love story which will play a more prominent part as the series progresses. The main story is about assumptions, acceptance, love, and friendship, though there are other themes running throughout the series.
Praise for Bronze
Allison narrates a gentle coming-of-age story that has a strong equine subplot…undeveloped plot points hint at future complications and will likely keep readers looking for the next entry. — Cindy Welch Booklist Online
Written with intelligent humor, this tale follows an awkward girl as she enters a new school…This is a strong first book, both for Shepherd and for the series. The friendships the characters build are realistic and lifelike, strong, and durable, just like bronze. — Beth VanHouten ForeWord Reviews
The story is well-written and sweetly told. Allison’s anxieties and insecurities are true-to-life, and so affectionately and clearly portrayed as to make anyone who’s ever been through adolescence wince in sympathy. Dave, Robin and Chris are complicated, intelligent, three-dimensional characters whom the reader enjoys getting to know, and all of the minor characters are vividly drawn and believably real. The author is adept at setting a scene, both external and internal, bringing Allison’s mind and world to vivid life. — Catherine Langrehr IndieReader
“Bronze: The Glister Journals” is a well-written novel of teenagers and their world. It is also a story of horses and teenage horsemanship. The main character Allison is a totally delightful fourteen year old girl whose innocence and awkwardness is refreshing. — Alice DiNizo Readers’ Favorite
Into the future. There’s nothing in the past. I just want to grow up and be able to take care of myself and Gran. She won’t have to worry about me if I’m an adult.
Favorite sport?
Dave once dared me to eat dog food. So I did. Almost puked too.
Something for Gran…like a new house or maybe just really fix up this house. I’d like to take her to Ireland too. She still has family there but hasn’t been able to go for a really long time.
A graduate of Cal Poly with graduate work at Chapman and U C Santa Cruz, B. B. Shepherd has lived most of her life in California and loves the diverse beauty of its many landscapes. Music, horses, literature, and art have been her passions as long as she can remember. She enjoys road trips, almost all horse sports and extreme sports (as a spectator), and is addicted to research.
As a writer, Shepherd enjoys exploring emotions and motivations: why do people do what they do? She also likes trying to find the funny side of things. She admits to being a hopeless romantic and often gets in trouble for her sense of humor. Bronze is her debut novel, the first in a series of four called The Glister Journals. She currently works full time as a music professional and educator, and lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her youngest daughter and a very silly cat.
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/31/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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Lynda R Young says
Great cover.
Barrel Racing… I've not witnessed that sport before. Sounds like fun 😉
B B Shepherd says
Thank you everyone for taking time to read and comment on the post! You are so gracious and generous. It's immensely encouraging. 🙂
Medeia Sharif says
I love the description. This sounds like a great read and the cover is eye-catching.
Old Kitty says
Barrel racing?!?! LOL! Nice to meet you Robin! Enjoy your adventures with Allison, Bronze and Galahad and all your other friends! Take care
x
Cathrina Constantine says
I love horses now and took equestrian lessons as a teenager. Love the cover.
M Pax says
Love that cover. I would have snapped that book up as a kid. I read absolutely everything about a horse or with a horse in it.
Michael Di Gesu says
Congrats B.B. All the Best!!!!
Hi, Lee…
Hope all is well…. Have a great weekend!
M. J. Joachim says
Love the part about buying a house for gran!
Lexa Cain says
Of all the interviews I've read over the years, this is the first time "barrel racing" was ever the answer to a question. Best wishes to BB on life with her daughter and silly cat, Galahad, barrel racing, and her "gentle coming of age" novel. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks all! Great to have you visit on my non-blog day. That's really wonderful of y'all!
DMS says
This sounds like a great book. I have read some other books from the POV of someone with autism or another spectrum disorder and have enjoyed each one. I don't recall reading one about a high school student- so I am definitely curious.
Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway. Wishing Robin the best of luck!
Jess
klahanie says
Greetings human, Lee,
And now the fun begins for you, B.B. Shepherd. Yes, a comment from Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar.
What an intriguing premise. I'm going to make a bronze statue in your honour (honor).
Some silly human dared me to eat dog food. I almost puked at the thought.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!
Marcia says
This cover is very enticing. I'd pick it up!
B B Shepherd says
Thank you C Lee for featuring Bronze and helping with the tour! And thanks to everyone for the kind and encouraging comments!
Kelly Polark says
I love that the main character is on the spectrum, many students reading this book can relate to that, and not enough books have characters with those limitations. Congrats to Robin!
Carol Kilgore says
Sounds like a great book. Fourteen is a vulnerable age.
Samantha May says
This seems really fantastic! The cover is really interesting too.
Boy, a million dollars, would be pretty sweet. Would probably pay off student loans and then set my parents up for the rest of their lives 🙂
Elizabeth Seckman says
Best of luck to Robin!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
A Discovery Award Winner – very cool!