teashopgirl

Two climbed up. Two fell down. One woke up. Robin Saunders is a high school sophomore with an awesome best friend, a hard-working single mom, and a complicated relationship with a sweet guy named Reno. She's coasting along, trying to get through yet another tedious year of high school, when Em suggests something daring. They live in Florida-- tourist central--and Emily wants to sneak into a theme park after midnight and see what they're made of. When things get out of control, Robin wakes up in a hospital bed and Emily doesn't wake up at all. Just getting dressed becomes an ordeal as Robin tries to heal and piece together the details of that terrible night. Racing to remember everything in the hopes of saving Emily, Robin writes a series of notes to herself to discover the truth. Gr. 8-12. Adult language.…

teashopgirl

Joey Delaney is only sixteen years-old, but she's not letting that stop her quest to become a star newspaper reporter. It's the summer of 1942, the world is going mad, and there are a million stories begging to be told. When a sought-after movie script gets swiped right under Joey's nose, she's on the case. The only thing she hasn't bargained for is the attention of dreamy Elliot Duncan, a boy with big plans of his own.The Hollywood Scoop is light and cheerful fun--perfect for young readers who enjoy their mysteries with glamour and a side of sweet romance. Grades 6 and up.…

teashopgirl

In the very near future, the country is plunged into drought and unrest. Scarce resources and constant heat are making life completely miserable. Casey doesn't think she can stand slugging back another gel pack or working one more shift at the wells. Fortunately, there's a solution: anyone over the age of seventeen can sign the Forever Contract and enter a utopian paradise. While people's minds take a permanent vacation, their bodies get warehoused and hooked up to a complex array of sensors and feeding tubes. As Casey's brother says, "You upload your consciousness to the system and you're free to live as long as you want, however you want. No more pain, no more heat, no more awful dust, no more work. Just pure thought. It's what our species has always been meant for. Suffering is for philosophers. Not for me."Casey's ready to sign--a permanent vacation is just what she needs. There's only one problem: her boyfriend James doesn't trust it.Told from his and her perspectives, The Forever Contract is a 17,000 word (60 page) novella suitable for readers in grade 8 and above.Would you sign the contract?About the AuthorUnder the pen name Avery Sawyer, Laura Schaefer is the author of Notes to Self, a young adult novel about a teen with a traumatic brain injury, and The Forever Contract, a young adult dystopian novella about escaping from hardship by loading one's consciousness into a digital paradise.Schaefer is also the author of The Teashop Girls (Simon & Schuster 2009), The Secret Ingredient (Simon & Schuster 2011), and Planet Explorers Travel Guides for Kids. Learn more about her by visiting teashopgirls.com and planet-explorers.net. Look for Laura on Twitter: @teashopgirl…

teashopgirl

Nora is a little lost after she graduates from high school. After she settles in to her new flat in a shambling old house, she's excited to get an unexpected invitation to tea from Mrs. Hampton, the eccentric millionaire next door. When the old woman invites her to move in, however, Nora knows something's a bit off about the situation.She's absolutely right.The Game Maker is a 5,000 word (20 page) short story with dark themes--suitable for readers in grades 9 and up.EXCERPT: "I think you'll be happy here," she said, as if it were settled. "Really, ma'am. I can't stay with you. I appreciate the invitation, but I'm afraid I can't accept it. I'm sorry." "I can't take no for an answer, dear," she said. "You live here now."My heart dropped in my chest at her menacing tone. What if she was dangerous? What should I do? I thought of the cell phone I'd left on my desk back in my little room to be polite. I knew older people hated it when young people checked their phones, but now I longed for it. "Mrs. Hampton, I'm so sorry, but I think you're confused. I don't live here. Is there someone I can call to come help you?" "I see you believe I'm a few marbles short, dear. I assure you that is not the case. You have no family in town, no boss, and no one looking for you. You're my prisoner. There is a boy here as well; I expect you'll meet soon enough. You can both do as you please, but I will be watching. At the end of the allotted time, you'll be judged for your actions and I will decide on an heir--and on a sacrifice. Isn't this fun? Welcome to my Game." She sounded crazy. Serial-killer crazy. I stared at her in horror as she stepped into a closet. The doors closed, elevator-style, and she was gone.…

teashopgirl

Is speaking really necessary? Could complete silence equal the freedom to do anything you want?…