As a writer, I am always interested in the feedback that I receive on my books. In my latest book, The Big Melt, some people loved it and others got sidetracked wondering if the events I describe could really happen. I did exaggerate what could happen to make it more engaging – it is a work of fiction. It worked for some readers, but not all. Here is a thoughtful review that explains how one reader had to get over this early hump and suspend her disbelief, but once she did….

Review by Mina Hilsenrath

“ I had a hard time getting into it. I don’t know whether it was the young adult focus, with its teen characters, or my inability to suspend my disbelief about the melting described. I also had some concerns about where the story was going: would the ominous tone end up with a feel-good ending? But the further I got into it, the more real it became. Having spent so much time in public meetings, your depictions of those dynamics were spot on. And you absolutely NAILED the ending. (Spoiler alert) It was so much more convincing- and so much more tragic – to have Marley and his friends fail in their mission. The emotional impact of their loss resulted in having the book linger in memory. It made me think of all the towns and cities across America that have suffered from environmental pollution and degradation. You are right: many of them never recover. It can happen here, so what are we going to do about it? BRAVO, it’s clear why this book won so many awards and recognitions.”

So what’s the message??? Keep Reading!