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Book Information

  • Series: Lorimer SideStreets
  • Imprint: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
  • Publication Date: 15 August 2017
  • Copyright Year: 2017
  • ISBN: 9781459412682
  • Page Count: 184
  • Dimensions: 5.3" x 7.5"
  • Interest ages: 13-18
  • Reading level: Grade 5

Purchasing Information

Hardcover
9781459412682
$27.99 USD

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Paperback
9781459412521
$8.99 USD

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Saving Grad

by Karen Spafford-Fitz

Vienna, a mixed Native American teen, and her mother struggle to escape her step-father's constant violence by moving to a new city to start new lives.

Vienna, a mixed-race teen and her mother experience racism and domestic violence while living with her step-father. They try to escape the situation by moving to a big city where they begin to start new lives. But staying under the radar is tough, and when her step-father shows up threatening her at her new high school's grad party, Vienna has to find a way to keep herself, her mother, and her friends out of harm's way.

This book illustrates the very real circumstances women and children victims of domestic abuse face and one family's struggle to escape a violent situation.

About the Author

Karen Spafford-Fitz
KAREN SPAFFORD-FITZ grew up in an old limestone farmhouse near Kingston, Ontario. Karen studied English Language and Literature at Queen's University. She went on to graduate in Education and taught elementary and junior-high students for eight years. Both her previous books, Dog Walker and Vanish have been recognized as Best Books by Resource Links and the Canadian Children's Book Centre. Karen lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

Reviews

"Saving Grad is un-put-down-able."
Monique Polak, Fiction for Young Adults
"[A story] about the strength of a mother and daughter who put the end to the violence that was going on in their lives. Vienna does what she has to keep her friends and her mother save when her family's problems come after them. It is a good fast paced story. I enjoyed it."
Destiny Bridwell, NetGalley
"This book was both inspirational and scary as it does not shy away from domestic violence and the results of living it."
Tina Avon, NetGalley

Awards

Resource Links The Year's Best - Fiction Grades 7-12
2017
CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens
2018

Subjects (BISAC)

SOCIAL SCIENCE / Poverty & Homelessness, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / General, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Physical & Emotional Abuse (see also Social Themes / Sexual Abuse), YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Social Themes / Poverty & Homelessness, YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Social Topics / Physical & Emotional Abuse (see also Social Topics / Sexual Abuse), YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Social Topics / Violence, YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Social Topics / Bullying

Subjects

Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Fiction: Abuse, Young Adult Fiction: Family, Young Adult Fiction: Indigenous

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