Keep Holding On

Susane Colasanti

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0142426334 ISBN 13: 9780142426333

Publisher: Speak, 2013

Throughout her time at school Noelle has been the victim of bullying. Her classmates make every day a living hell. However it is all done so secretly that even her best friend has never known quite how bad the bullying is. Noelle's home life is no better, her mother hardly seems to notice whether Noelle is there or not. Noelle has kept so much of her life secret that when her lifelong crush Julian starts paying attention to her, she is terrified. Surely it is safer to stay hidden in the shadows rather than risk the pain of a broken heart? Or can she find the strength to stand up?

Review:

Praise for "Keep Holding On" by Susane Colasanti:

"[Keep Holding On] ... will give readers plenty to think about and a list of resources to tap into if they need them." --"Publishers Weekly"

."..smart dialogue, quirky characters and richly layered plot. Emotionally satisfying from beginning to end." --"Kirkus"

"Noelle's situation will resonate with teen readers. Her struggles are those of real teens--trying to fit in, feeling left out, searching for love, making hard choices." --"VOYA"

"This novel could be recommended to those who enjoyed Sonya Sones's What My Mother Doesn't Know (S & S, 2001) or Courtney Summers's Some Girls Are (St. Martin's, 2010)." --"School Library Journal"

'As with every novel I've read by Susane Colasanti, the narrative swept me along and kept me reading. The dialogue is sparky and witty, and the plot unfolds at an entertaining pace. I was soon rooting for Noelle and hoping things would work out for her... The blossoming romance in this novel is sweet and definitely left me smiling.' --- Chicklish

About the Author:

From the author:

When I was a teen, I would have been mortified to admit that I was being bullied at school. My junior high and high school years were the worst time of my life. Kids picked on me for being a science nerd. They picked on me for not wearing the expensive sweaters and jeans everyone else had. They picked on me for doing weird things like writing song lyrics on my sneakers (this was back in the day before writing on your sneakers was cool). I was embarrassed by all the ways I didn't fit in.

I am not embarrassed anymore.

Writing Keep Holding On was my way of turning a negative experience into something positive. I want this book to reach out to teens who are going through hard times. I want this book to help people feel less alone. And hopefully, this story will encourage readers in need to keep holding on.

Susane Colasanti is the bestselling author of When It Happens, Take Me There, Waiting for You, Something Like Fate, So Much Closer, Keep Holding On, All I Need, and Now and Forever. Susane has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree from New York University. Before becoming a full-time author, Susane was a high school science teacher for ten years. She lives in New York City.

Connect with Susane at SusaneColasanti.com and follow her on Twitter @SusaneColasanti