Novel Encourages Teens to Think About the Consequences of Their Actions

Kate Buckley's young adult novel "Choices" is the story of a 15-year-old who survives every teen girl's worst nightmare: discovering she's pregnant after a date rape.

Santa Fe, NM (PRWEB) October 1, 2007 -- Pregnant, scared and alone: a situation in which no girl wants to find herself, but many do. With the help of Kate Buckley's new book "Choices" (ISBN 9780595409266, iUniverse, 2007) these girls, and girls faced with other coming-of-age challenges, can find empowerment and a faith in themselves their culture doesn't provide.

Fifteen-year-old Kara, a typical teen, thinks her parents' strict rules and controlling ways are "ludicrous" and oppressive. Kara makes an ill-fated choice one night when she rebels and sneaks out her bedroom window to see Jake Dodson, the town's star athlete. Jake's crowd moves in the fast lane, and before long, Kara gives in to peer pressure. After binge drinking at a party she is raped by the older, more experienced Jake. Weeks later, when a home pregnancy test turns up positive, Kara is terrified and blames herself.

"Choices" pulls readers into Kara's intimate journey and her solitary struggle to come up with solutions. Afraid to tell her parents about her dilemma, Kara is finally forced to do so. Much to her surprise, Kara finds in them--her supposed "worst enemies"--her most powerful allies and biggest source of emotional support.

As an experienced support group facilitator, Buckley advises any girl who has been sexually violated to seek help from a trusted adult. "I wrote this story to empower teen girls," Buckley says. "I hope "Choices" will encourage them to think critically and that Kara's story will make all readers think twice before judging other's choices from the outside."

"Choices" will help teens see that their own choices--both healthy and unhealthy--can have a lifelong impact. This powerful and realistic novel illustrates how one girl finds the strength to move forward through the devastating results of a bad choice. "Choices" provides relevant and heartfelt lessons about the importance of love, mutual respect and open communication between teens and parents, through any circumstance--no matter how challenging--that life may bring.

About the Author
Kate Buckley lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her family. She has facilitated support groups for teenage girls in the public schools of California and New Mexico. She has worked with, and advocated for, teens in many organizations and educational settings. "Choices" is her first young adult novel.

"Choices" (ISBN 9780595409266, iUniverse, 2007) can be purchased through local and online bookstores. For more information, visit www.katebuckleybooks.com. Publicity contact: www.readerviews.com. Review copies available upon request.

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