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Wraparound South Contributor Barbara Bottner Rocks Reviews

Congratulations to our former contributor, Barbara Bottner, for her new novel I Am Here Now, available in August through most booksellers. This is what reviewers had to say about her work.

I AM HERE NOW

“Bottner’s novel in verse is a vivid trip through a girl’s early teen years, showing that adolescent needs and wants remain constant through the decades. Maisie is a strong narrator who rings true, especially facing the totality of her challenges. Perfect for readers who are struggling to figure out their place in the world.”

—Booklist

“This moving novel in spare, yet eloquent verse, transports today's teen reader to the 1960s Bronx. Readers will root for Maisie as she makes her compelling journey to maturity.”

—Alex Flinn, Author of Breathing Underwater

“Not since The Catcher in the Rye has there been such a riveting depiction of adolescent angst. But unlike Holden Caulfield, Maisie Meyers embraces her disappointment in the adult world, turning her loss of innocence into a launching pad for the examined life. I Am Here Now is important and utterly riveting.” 
—Patricia Volk, Author of Shocked and Stuffed

“Packing numerous themes of evolving teen self-identity amid the cityscape of a broken home, this turbulent, plot-driven tale shows how a miserable home life transcends ethnic, historical, and socio-economic bounds. Timeless lessons in how to find one’s self-worth in the face of parental abuse.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“A deeply felt, beautifully written novel in verse about a fractured family and a gifted young woman’s coming of age. Altogether captivating and compelling.”

—Michael Cart, Author, “Carte Blanche” Column, Booklist; Author/Editor of 22 Books

“Best known for her picture books, Bottner draws on all five senses to evoke Maisie’s chaotic world, using expressive verse to portray 'what it’s like for me,' from the dark atmosphere of her home to the bright environments of Rachel’s house and her mother’s art studio. [T]he book’s subject matter and themes remain timeless.”

—Publishers Weekly