If you know someone who loves young adult novels, I hope you will recommend to them that they read the newest young adult novel by Printz Honor Winner, Terry Trueman. This action-packed and enlightening book just received a very positive review from School Library Journal.   It’s a really good read.  The relationship between the boy—the protagonist in the novel—and both his father and mentor are quite touching.  If you are a middle or high school English teacher, I believe you also will appreciate how Terry’s book instills the value of writing and reading in an entertaining yet wise way.

In a moment I’ll share content and review, but first let me make a note about my relationship with Terry.  We have been personal friends and “writer friends” since we both entered the MFA Program at Eastern Washington University in 1983.  We both graduated with our MFAs in 1985.  Subsequently, Terry co-authored two books with me: Boys and Girls Learn Differently! and What Stories Does My Son Need.  His Prinz Honor Winner is Stuck in Neutral, which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies—a YA novel told from the interior point of view of a severely disabled boy.

Terry is a powerful author and I wanted to call attention to his new book because I believe this book will help us as teachers, parents, and mentors to empower children toward growth and greatness.

–Michael Gurian

Notes on The Plot

Ryan Turane, 17 years old, wants to be somebody, wants to make his mark on the world. When he gets the chance to chauffeur his idol, the famous writer Cole Hardt, he can’t believe his good luck. Ryan figures that if anyone can teach him how to reach his goals of fame and fortune, it will be Cole.

Soon after they meet, Ryan rolls his father’s prized Corvette off the highway and into the woods where no one will spot them. Injured and trapped upside down as the night turns cold, Ryan learns more about the writing life than he ever imagined. But he also fears that he’ll forever be known as “The Kid Who Killed Cole Hardt.”

Praise for The Kid Who Killed Cole Hardt:

“Terry Trueman has delivered a novel of uncommon perspective. Encapsulated in the wreckage of modern life, a subtle friendship is formed that transcends generational trauma, releases a heart’s-cry elegy to Bukowski and Whitman, and symbolizes the poem that resides in the heart of everyman.”
–Shann Ray, American Book Award winning author of Balefire, American Masculine, and the poetry chapbook Atomic Theory 432

“Every aspiring young author will benefit from this book. Packed with wit and wisdom, The Kid Who Killed Cole Hardt entertains, illuminates and inspires.”
–Michael Gurian, New York Times bestselling author of The Wonder of Boys

“Coming-of-age sometimes takes a knock upside the head, and by the end, Trueman’s “kid” is anything but a kid. This book is perfect for that bright, next generation of readers and leaders looking to take the wheel. Literally and metaphorically, Trueman hands over the keys.”
–Will Weaver, Award-winning Y.A. author of Memory Boy

“Another great story by Terry Trueman, whose books always hit squarely on issues of coming of age and learning important life lessons.”
–Edward Averett, Award-winning Y.A. author of Cameron and the Girls

Here’s the link to Terry’s book on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Kid-Who-Killed-Cole-Hardt-ebook/dp/B07HM9K377