Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where you can share the first paragraph, or a few, of a book you are reading or thinking about reading soon.
A modern take on the classic coming-of-age novel, inspired by Anne of Green Gables
In the grand tradition of Anne of Green Gables, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Andi Teran’s captivating debut novel offers a contemporary twist on a beloved classic. Fifteen-year-old orphan Ana Cortez has just blown her last chance with a foster family. It’s a group home next—unless she agrees to leave East Los Angeles for a farm trainee program in Northern California.
When she first arrives, Ana can’t tell a tomato plant from a blackberry bush, and Emmett Garber is skeptical that this slight city girl can be any help on his farm. His sister Abbie, however, thinks Ana might be just what they need. Ana comes to love Garber Farm, and even Emmett has to admit that her hard work is an asset. But when she inadvertently stirs up trouble in town, Ana is afraid she might have ruined her last chance at finding a place to belong.
Opening
CHAPTER ONE
She was out of beginnings, this she knew.
Ana ran her hands through her knotted hair, wondering when she'd last washed it. She'd been up for more than twenty-four hours, and there was still ketchup on her shirt.
"This is the fifth home you've been expelled from in the last ten years."
"To be fair, it was only four. I was at the Mitchell house twice."
"Well, this time it's ... a situation."
My Teaser
"No, it doesn't," Abbie said. "But life isn't fair, and you can't choose who you're born to. It's all beyond our control, I'm afraid. There's power in how we react to our situations, though."
page 71
So...what do you think? Is this one you would pick up? Leave a comment below!
love the tease! it is so true! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletetrish - my teaser
I like that last line, so true! Looks like a nice read.
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you are loving this. I just got a copy and I'm looking forward to reading this modern take on the Anne story
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ReplyDeletePretty cover. I probably wouldn't pick it up, but I'm glad you are enjoying it.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental My TT
Okay, I've just added it to my TBR! Didn't much like the cover, but I love the premise and kids in trouble/foster youth are really my thing.
ReplyDeleteMy teaser this week is from Isaac Asimov http://wp.me/p3Nz8P-su
I would pick this one up. It sounds fascinating. The teaser on my young adult blog this week comes from Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteAnd another new title to add to my list! I liked your intro and the quote from Abbie - priceless!
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I think I'd like it.
ReplyDeleteI like the intro and teaser. I'd keep reading.
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2015/06/first-chapter-first-paragraph-110.html
You had me at "Anne of Green Gables" and "California." Throw in the foster care angle, and I'm hooked.
ReplyDeleteI've been eyeing this one...I definitely have it on my list.
Here's mine: “BEFORE WE MET”
I like this intro and am glad to find out about this book!
ReplyDeleteI like the intro. Ana sounds like an interesting character.
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating! I've always enjoyed stories where a character is taken out of a familiar situation and placed somewhere different. I'll read this book to find out how Ana learns to "grow where she's planted."
ReplyDeleteMy Tuesday post features A Walk in the Woods.
Interesting. I like the intro. I like the "last chance" theme. May have to look this up.
ReplyDeleteOh, I like the sound of this one. Putting it on my list and thanks for pointing it out!!
ReplyDeleteI like the intro and just got this one in the mail yesterday. enjoy
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