“Ugly growth is the new black,” a sentiment expressed at a local book signing by La Mesa resident and author Bethany Crandell.
Crandell said that some have described Cricket, the main character in her book “Summer on the Short Bus” as “not likable” however the growth that Cricket experiences in the book is an extension of Crandell’s take that growth can be ugly.
“Ugly growth is the new black,” a sentiment expressed at a local book signing by La Mesa resident and author Bethany Crandell.
Crandell said that some have described Cricket, the main character in her book “Summer on the Short Bus” as “not likable” however the growth that Cricket experiences in the book is an extension of Crandell’s take that growth can be ugly.
Crandell had her manuscript miraculously pulled out of the “slush pile” and published by Running Kids Press on April 1.
Anyone who has wanted, wished, or desired to write a book may know that the slush pile of manuscripts is a harsh, unforgiving place to land either in an agent’s or a publishing houses’ pile.
Part of that time period Crandell described, as “going to bed confidant you will never make it and waking up and persevering.”
Before her book signing at Grossmont Center’s Barnes & Noble on April 5, she said that she found her agent online and the process took two years before it culminated in the book being published.
The beauty of a local author in your midst is being able to ask her, “Who is this character?” as was heard from friends in attendance at her book signing. Only Crandell knows for sure how locals were written into the characters.
Critics describe Crandell’s book as “Very non-P.C., contemporary YA (young adult) with a lot of attitude, tons of laughs, and a little life lesson along the way.”
The book’s main character, 17-year-old Cricket Montgomery, is shipped off to a summer camp for disabled teens to learn a different perspective.
Crandell, married and mother of two girls, one who has cerebral palsy, explained how her 9-year-old, instantly recognized her mother’s book because of all the yellow on the cover when she visited Barnes & Noble—a special moment for the author and mother.
Dawn Mintelli, a principal at Bonita’s Sunnyside Elementary School, said she plans on “buying some for my special education teachers.” Mintelli is a fellow soccer mom with Crandell.
Crandell has three other manuscripts under her belt and with the working title of one “Stalking Whitney Houston.”
To experience Crandell’s main character, also described as authentic Cricket, the book is available online on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.
Crandell will be at the La Mesa’s Authors and Artists Festival on May 10. Or visit her website at www.BethanyCrandell.com for more information.
