Chris

I have mentioned that I am writing a novel for young adults. This morning, I thought that I would take a moment to introduce the novel’s main character.

Chris is a nine year old orphan living on the streets of Afghanistan. This is no ordinary orphan. She is an American citizen. Oh, and obviously, she is female pretending to be a boy.. During the last three years since her mother was murdered, Chris has been developing the skills to survive in Afghanistan. Her mentor, Benyamin  - a Mossad agent- has helped hone her language and fighting skills. However, one day, Chris has to choose whether to risk her safety to rescue an American male being held hostage or to maintain her anonymity. No matter what she decides life as she knows it will change.

The Challenge

Can I take a novel written for adults and rewrite it for Young Adults? My response: Sure! Why not? Then I asked the important question …What does Young Adult mean? Hey, I am nothing if not daring.

Then came the challenge…Could I take that same novel and write it for both Young Adults and a Hi-Lo audience? Here, I wised up. Completely bewildered, I had to ask what a Hi-Lo book was.

Hi-Lo books are high interest – low reading level books. Basically, stories written to encourage the struggling or reluctant reader to read. In other words, age appropriate material written at a lower reading level.

It is an interesting challenge. I can’t say that I out right accepted. But, rather, I would see what I could do.

My younger nephew is a reluctant reader. For him, it isn’t a matter of reading ability. He just prefers to be active.  My mission in life has been to get him to enjoy reading. Buying him a Kindle began him on this path. He reads more now, but still has a long way to go.

He is my inspiration for attempting this challenge. Just maybe, if I am really lucky, I could write a book he falls in love with.