How do you deal with the consequences of an innocent act gone horribly wrong? That's Michael's dilemma in Swallowing Stones. What started out as a great 4th of July/Birthday for him quickly turned tragic, and from that event Michael learned lessons about himself and others.

Swallowing Stones is suspenseful and emotional. When a book is well written, the protagonist is a wonderful shade of grey, and Michael is just that. It's hard enough being a teen, but try being a teen dealing with the repercussions of an event that rocks a small town. Joyce McDonald did a wonderful job creating characters that are appealing, annoying, relatable, and every other adjective that you can attach to a teen, while at the same time making this an enjoyable read for adults as well. Recommended. ( )

Michael McKenzie receives a Winchester Rifle for his 17th birthday, and not knowing it would kill anyone, shoots a bullet in the sky to try the rifle out. 1 mile away, Charlie Ward, the father of Jenna Ward, is killed in the head with a flying bullet, coming out of nowhere while fixing his roof. Michael never knew that he would kill someone, and it was not intended. Knowing that Michael has killed someone, he is shocked and stunned, and feels like as if he is swallowing stones. Jenna Ward is shocked and wants to gain revenge on the killer of her father. Can Michael keep this secret forever? and will Jenna EVER get over this tragedy?

Michael McKenzie is 17-years-old. He likes heavy metal, hanging with friends, girls, and he just shot a man. Michael fired his grandfather's rifle, which e got for his birthday, into the air. The bullet traveled over a mile and killed Jenna's dad who was repairing the roof. When Michael realizes what he has done, he panics and tries to cover it up. Can he keep this painful secret?

Other books to try: Whirligig, The Killer's Cousin, Driver's Ed, Tears of a Tiger

Other books by the author: Shades of Simon Gray, Shadow People ( )

2/14/14 ( )

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