The Good, the Bad, and the Backstory

This unique story presents a timeline of events from sunup to sundown, in a day in the life of five seventh graders - Ashley, Kenisha, Taara, Ryan and Andrew.

As they walk the hallways, attend class and navigate the dreaded lunchroom, they experience all the messiness of middle school - the fragile friendships, the peer pressure, the fickle social hierarchy and the relationship drama. Issues at home and interactions at school influence how they relate to one another, their classmates and their teachers throughout the day. 

Author Melissa Minery gives the reader a birds-eye view of a middle school as it unfolds for each character, offering an unflinching look at how a child's backstory - family life, values, beliefs, triumphs and tragedies - influences his or her actions. A true-to-life story with a valuable message about courage, forgiveness, empathy and understanding. By the story's end, the reader will have walked in each character's shoes and have a better understanding of how a single event can have a big influence.

About the Author

MELISSA MINERY is a Certified School Counselor in New Hampshire. She has worked at the elementary-to-high school levels and as a career Counselor with young adult's. She's always doing something to "grow her brain" and loves going on adventures with her family and hiking in the white mountains. This is her first published work. 

Watch for a sneak peek into the story!

Published by Boys Town Press
ISBN: 978-1-944882-71-6
Juvenile Fiction
Black & White Illustrations
172 pages
Softcover, 7"x10"
Grades 4-8; Ages 9-15
Lexile Measure: 630L
F&P Level: U