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conversations.value: Do you know a description for a book titled Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined about Ingrid, Ingrid's, UpSetting with the genre: Teen & Young Adult, Literature & Fiction?
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conversations.value: Gr 8 UpSetting a coming-of-age story in the framework of an unwelcome wilderness expedition is a bit of a tired conceit, but in the author's outstanding YA novel, a teen's backwoods journey becomes exciting and emotionally engrossing. Ingrid has had an unorthodox upbringing with a single opera star mother who suffers a devastating career loss. After Mom is forced to settle into a more traditional job and life, she is almost completely derailed by deep depression. As part of a mother-daughter deal to find a healthy future for both, Ingrid is sent on a youth wilderness trip. Mostly set in the northern Ontario wilderness, the novel alternates between the "now" of the 21-day trek and the "then" of Ingrid's turbulent adjustment to settled life. Ingrid's never-sent letters to her mother appear throughout the narrative and detail her physical and emotional struggles through attacks of vampirelike mosquitoes and black flies, grueling portages, and much more challenging experiences, including an attempted sexual assault. And while the settings are vividly realized, it's the author's characterization skills that bring this narrative to life. The realistic ending makes it clear that Ingrid will overcome her difficulties and that healing is a journey and not a destination. VERDICT This compelling tale of loss and self-discovery is recommended for most libraries serving teens ages 13-plus.Susan Riley, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY
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conversations.value: Delete the first sentence.
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conversations.value: Ingrid has had an unorthodox upbringing with a single opera star mother who suffers a devastating career loss. After Mom is forced to settle into a more traditional job and life, she is almost completely derailed by deep depression. As part of a mother-daughter deal to find a healthy future for both, Ingrid is sent on a youth wilderness trip. Mostly set in the northern Ontario wilderness, the novel alternates between the "now" of the 21-day trek and the "then" of Ingrid's turbulent adjustment to settled life. Ingrid's never-sent letters to her mother appear throughout the narrative and detail her physical and emotional struggles through attacks of vampirelike mosquitoes and black flies, grueling portages, and much more challenging experiences, including an attempted sexual assault. And while the settings are vividly realized, it's the author's characterization skills that bring this narrative to life. The realistic ending makes it clear that Ingrid will overcome her difficulties and that healing is a journey and not a destination. VERDICT This compelling tale of loss and self-discovery is recommended for most libraries serving teens ages 13-plus.Susan Riley, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY
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conversations.value: Do you know the first five paragraphs for this book?
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conversations.value: Everything Beautiful Is Not Ruined
  To Shaylyn Saville, for info on canoeing and camping, and Sue Saville, who sent me stunning photos from Shay's trips.
  To Gillian Stecyk, who helped me with information about vocal training, specific pieces of music, opera singers, and the world of opera.
  To Stephanie Saville, my go-to person for insights on at-risk teens and addiction therapy, and always a person of deep wisdom.
  To Brian Younge and my cousin Richard Younge for specifics about small airplanes and unconventional landing circumstances.
  To the trusted readers who gave me feedback, or just let me talk through plot points at various stages, Bev Rosenbaum, Maureen McGowan, Jon Clinch, Caroline Leavitt, Adrienne Kress, Caitlin Sweet, Elizabeth Letts, Michael Wacholtz, Elyne Quan, and Madelyn Burt.
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conversations.value: Do you know another paragraph?
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conversations.value: To my larger community of writing buddies, including those mentioned above, who make this whole thing less lonely, and often give behind-the-scenes support: Karen Dionne, Sachin Waikar, Keith Kronin, Renee Rosen, Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Joanne Levy, Eileen Cook, Martha Warboy, and the members of the Torkidlit group, plus the many friends I've made at Backspace.org.
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conversations.value: Do you know the last paragraph?
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conversations.value: To my husband, Michael, for being my most passionate and stalwart supporter, cheerleader, butt-kicker. And my two smart, adorable, hilarious girls, T and S, who, along with Michael, shower me with love, and pull together to keep things running when I'm on a deadline. You are the loves of my life.