Tag Archives: abuse

New Release: Like Ghosts in the Hallway

Posted on by

CRESCENDO PRESS RELEASES TEEN THRILLER LIKE GHOSTS IN THE HALLWAY

Tami Brumbaugh delivers the drama as a family is ripped apart by a terrible secret

OLATHE, Kan./September 5, 2017—Crescendo Press LLC is pleased to announce the latest addition to the boutique publisher’s adolescent literature portfolio: Like Ghosts in the Hallway by Tami Brumbaugh. The fast-paced, 275-page novel moves from life in the backwoods to foster homes and concealed identities as JaDon and his sisters run from their estranged father, J.R., who will stop at nothing to keep a family secret from being revealed.

Like Ghosts in the Hallway is Brumbaugh’s third teen novel, following Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award quarterfinalist Thanks to Wapiti (2013) and Tornadic (2015).

“Some of the students I’ve taught and the teens that I’ve mentored have told me chilling accounts of their family drama,” Brumbaugh said. “I often came home with a heavy heart, burdened for kids who had huge obstacles to overcome just to survive. This story is fiction, but the message of hope is real.”

Readers will need to fasten their seatbelts, because this book accelerates from the very beginning as JaDon and his sisters are whisked away from their abusive, drunken father after the mysterious disappearance of their mother. The children are reunited with relatives on their mother’s side and begin to relax. After a dangerous encounter with their father, the children are separated and moved into protective custody. At his new high school, JaDon connects with his English teacher and begins sharing elements of the family secret in a journal for class—entries that Miss Jane says she will not read. Essentially invisible to JR’s hunting excursions, JaDon unwittingly reveals his location in a moment of heroism. After JaDon disappears, Miss Jane must work with a social worker to uncover clues of his whereabouts and the secret that keeps him on the run from JR.

This book will help readers understand some of the challenges facing teens from abusive homes. It will also inspire readers with the notion that there are “islands of hope” all around us—people and places of safety and healing.

Like Ghosts in the Hallway will initially be available on Amazon.com for $11.99 as a paperback and $3.99 as an eBook. Starting today through Sept. 11, Crescendo Press is making the Kindle version of the book available for a special price of 99 cents on Amazon.

Real Drama

Posted on by

Cruel texts. Too much homework. Unreasonable parents.

As a teen mentor, I’ve heard many of the concerns that plague junior high and high school students. Some of the drama would seem trivial to me now, if I didn’t remind myself how challenging those issues were when I was their age. (And what it was like when hormones were raging and identities were still forming.) Usually I have encouragement and a few words of wisdom to offer, because I’ve been there and survived.

But sometimes their tales leave me with my jaw dropped to the floor. When they share stories of abuse—mental or physical—I can’t relate. And I’m so grateful. I have my share of scars, but they weren’t inflicted by people I should be able to trust.

I can listen, give hugs, and make sure the teen has talked to other family members and authorities, but I usually don’t feel like it’s enough. How do you ease the pain of someone who has a parent who strikes them repeatedly or inflicts emotional scars that run deep?

When I can’t get the right words to come out of my mouth, I turn to writing things on paper. The book I’m wrapping up right now is my way of offering hope when life is unfair. It shows that while there are some truly evil people in the world, there are also compassionate people willing to help. It was painful to write because I didn’t sugar-coat anything.

I’ve been thinking about the teachers, counselors, and staff returning to the classrooms this month who continually invest in kids. Thank you for encouraging them as they navigate life. While all teen drama feels heavy and real to them, there are some who carry more than they were ever designed to bear. Hopefully all of us can help lessen the load.