Beyond Lucky by Sarah Aronson

Hi! Welcome to my web site…

The site includes information about my novels, as well as resources for aspiring writers and readers who enjoy children's and young adult literature. If you like to read… (a lot), and are serious about writing fiction —this web site is for you! As my career and life as a writer unfolds, I look forward to your frequent visits to this web site and my blog. Please feel free to send me a message!

I love getting mail. 

my 2011 novel, 
BEYOND LUCKY! is getting 
 some great kudos and  reviews!...

“Sarah Aronson skillfully captures just the right amount of both torment and elation in the voice of her young protagonist that will appeal to both boys and girls who like contemporary and fast-moving novels that mirror real life.”

— Jewish Book World   STARRED REVIEW!

“Aronson skillfully dodges the predictability of sports-themed books by creating multilayered characters and an intriguing whodunit involving a valuable missing rookie card. ... Aronson’s graceful storytelling will keep even nonsoccer buffs turning pages.”

—Publishers Weekly

“...Solid. ”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Beyond Lucky isn’t your typical middle reader sports novel. Like other novels in this genre, you aren’t going to easily predict the outcome either.
... This is a must-read in my opinion and you don’t need to be a soccer fan to enjoy this book. I highly recommend sharing this book with a middle reader in your life.”

—Book Dads 

  also... check out: 
Resources for writers 
of BOOKS for children & young adults
Programs to use with Head Case, 
   my first novel for young adults.

About the author…

Author Sarah Aronson received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College in July 2006. She has been an aerobics instructor, physical therapist, religious school principal, and book salesperson. Currently, she teaches writing classes for www.writers.com. She loves to speak at conferences! Sarah also co-organizes the Novel Writing Retreat at Vermont College. Please contact me if you are an aspiring writer looking to learn more about the craft of writing.

more about Sarah…

Head Case

Head Case by Sarah Aronson

“One mistake.
One bad night.
One too many drinks.”

A powerful and heartbreaking novel about a guy who had it all…until he drank that fifth beer and got into the car.

Head Case will make you consider how we judge each other. It will give readers an honest first hand account of the aftermath of drunk driving.

Frank Marder is a head, paralyzed from the neck down, and it’s his fault. He was drinking. He was driving. Now Frank can’t walk, he can’t move, he can’t feel his skin. He needs someone to feed him, to wash him, to move his body. Now he must learn to deal with his lack of independence, his parents, his sister, his friends.

Will he ever feel like a whole person?
…When you're a head, do you ever get to forgive yourself?

What others are saying…

“…full of humor and the strength of the human spirit.”

—Reading Rants

It will make a strong impression on readers with its raw emotion and bitter narrative tone.

—Booklist

Aronson's raw first novel delves into the emotions, mobility, daily functions (e.g., eating, talking on a phone and using a computer) and even the pleasures and sex of quadriplegics. Above all, it asks us to consider how we value individuals with disabilities.

—Kirkus Reviews

read more reviews »

My writers.com class: Manuscript Workshop for Children's Writers

This ongoing writers' workshop is open to intermediate and advanced writers who are working on manuscripts and need the structure of a class to retain their focus and energy. Prerequisite: Uma's Introduction to Writing for Children or a comparable real time or Internet class, and/or working knowledge and experience shaping a story from idea through completion. Unlike the introductory class, the advanced workshop will not offer weekly exercises or lectures, but will focus entirely on the participants' own work in progress. Expect to post work in progress (complete picture book draft or novel chapters) once a week, offer comments on others' work and respond to critical appraisals of your own. Picture books through YA. Ongoing advanced writers' workshop for anyone who has taken Uma Krishnaswami's Introduction to Writing for Children or a comparable class online or in realtime. Unlike the introductory class, the advanced workshop will not offer weekly exercises or lectures, but will focus entirely on the participants' own work in progress. Participants should expect to post work in progress once a week, offer comments on others' work and be prepared for critical appraisals of their own. More...

Use HEAD CASE for your Prom Project 2009

Use Head Case for your next Prom Project

Before prom, get your students to talk about safety and sobriety. It is important to talk to them about responsibility, which is always difficult in the abstract.

  • Read HEAD CASE with your class.
  • Choose three or four excerpts.
  • Ask your students to perform excerpts for their classmates.

Next…

Lead a discussion about what it would be like to kill a friend. To be paralyzed from the neck down. What could you do? What would be impossible? Host a mock trial. Does Frank belong in prison?

If you can, contact your local hospital or physical therapy practice. See if your students can borrow a wheel chair. Let your students find out what it’s like to be wheel chair dependent.

Last…

Discuss responsibility. Does Frank take responsibility for his actions? Does he deserve forgiveness? Download sample discussion questions from this website.

Always: contact Sarah with questions. I love talking to young adults!

Through The Tollbooth

Sarah is also participating in Through The Tollbooth
—Thoughts On Writing for Children and Young Adults

Contact info

I am happy to put together programs about any aspect of the writing process. Online chats and conference calls can be arranged.

Contact me!
I can also help mediate a discussion about the aftermaths of traumatic injury or a fundraiser for spinal cord injury research.

My literary agent

Sarah is represented by Sarah Davies of Greenhouse Literary.