Hello again. It’s #PoetryFriday time. Please see Links & comment blocks, below.
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What happens just before a brain aneurysm bursts?
If you are daughter Claire, whose Mom Andrea slips into this trauma, you are key witness to her unique pre-emergency behavior:
She looks as if she’s squeezing her head with her hands.
She groans.
“The pressure…”
In a moving tribute to the resiliency of children & families in not one but two layers of crisis, Joanne Rossmassler Fritz constructs an emotionally taut & medically gripping tale, cascading around a brain emergency.
Andrea Sloan is a fundraiser for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. But at this moment on vacation in coastal Maine, she becomes a crumpled figure on the floor, frightening daughter Claire, 13, on their girls’ day out & about in Boothbay Harbor.
This story has captivated me twice, once in a d r a f t form & today in a beautifully designed hardback from Holiday House Publishing, where Joanne, longtime dear writing pal of mine, debuted her first verse novel to stunning awards. This verse novel is just as worthy of similar far-ranging honors & it’s a fantastic sign that RUPTURED reviews from Kirkus & other sources are stellar.
Claire is an intriguing character, a school library club member who is grounded in knowing she keenly loves to pass hours in the words of her favorite contemporary authors, with titles name checked here. She also enjoys paying attention to the way light dances on water & to the sea gulls, at this shore. She totally doesn’t want to waste time in a dress shop with her Mom, but will humor her Mom’s fascination with sculptured lighthouses in miniature. Claire enjoys close friendships, especially with Leala, whose pronouncement near the end of the story made my day:
“Abuela was right.
Congratulations Joanne! On so many levels. So super-duper glad you are here.
LINKS
Caroline Starr Rose interviews Joanne Rossmassler Fritz
https://www.joannerossmasslerfritz.com/
Holiday House Publishing
Brain Aneurysm Foundation
My favorite deet deftly woven through RUPTURED: 1 in 50 of us noodle ‘round the planet not knowing our brain hides an unpopped aneurism. Makes you want to learn more:
Appreciations for reading. Comments are moderated/ p.s. to commenter T. of last week: I flubbed adding your kind comment on the Kitchen Ice post & it’s totally lost to me & I apologize profusely./jga
Our #PoetryFriday calendars, including host this week, the wonderful poet, Irene Latham at LIVE YOUR POEM.
November
3 Buffy at Buffy Silverman
10 Karen at Karen Edmisten*
17 Irene at Live Your Poem
24 Ruth at There is no such thing as a God-forsaken town
December
1 Anastasia at Small Poems
8 Patricia at Reverie
15 Janice at Salt City Verse
22 Jone at Jone Rush MacCulloch
29 Michelle at Michelle Kogan
Bookseedstudio 
10 responses to “RUPTURED verse novel by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz”
This sounds like an intriguing and moving read, and the cover art seems to fit the story, thanks for sharing it with us Jan, and all the best to Joanne on its journey!
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Joanne and I had the pleasure of meeting at Highlights at a Verse Novel workshop. So excited to read her latest book! Thank you for sharing. I’m so excited that it is on NCTE’s Notable Poetry/Verse Novels list!! https://ncte.org/awards/excellence-in-poetry-for-children-living-american-poet/
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Such synchronicity, wonderful Marcie. And appreciations for this great NCTE news.
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Wow – Jan it’s almost surreal…I watched a neighbor and her daughter navigate this experience 15 years ago. Not sure I have the courage to read it (yet).
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Hmmm. So hopeful there was a survival. And especialy if not, sorry you had to be near such medical tension. It’s a hopeful story & as written so it’s accessible to Teens.
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RUPTURED sounds intense! Thank you for your excellent review, Jan.
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Appreciations Tracey. Inadvertently I lost another wonderful comment from you last week, so thank you for coming back.
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Thank you so much, dear Jan! I’m honored that you liked my 2nd book too. And thank you again for being a beta reader! Joanne
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ooooh! I loved seeing this review hit my inbox. I can’t wait to read this book. It’s such a great story. And, I know a family that has recently survived a similar situation. What a great topic for a verse novel. And, Joanne is published again! Hooray!
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How especially spot-on for you, wonderful Linda, with our verse novel kinship with the author.
Sending well-wishes to the family you know involved in this topic, with gladness for their survival.
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