Marilyn Reynolds
Author Website: www.marilynreynolds.com

Marilyn Reynolds is the author of seven young adult novels and a collection of short stories, all part of the "True-to-Life" from Hamilton High series. Her titles appear on a variety of American Library Association's "Best Books" lists, and are also found on the New York Public Library's lists of "Best Books for the Teen Age."

Drawing on decades of experience working with at-risk students in California alternative schools, Reynolds' takes on tough issues that permeate the lives of many of today's teens: abuse, teen pregnancy, racism, acquaintance rape, gay/lesbian harassment and bullying, school failure, sexual abstinence, and a myriad of other sub-issues.

What with the joys and demands of young children, and full-time teaching, Reynolds' writing was pretty much confined to grocery lists, to-do lists, and assignment sheets for student use. Then, on sabbatical earning a M.S. In Reading Education, she found time to take a Creative Writing class. A personal essay assignment turned into an op-ed piece that was published in the LOS ANGELES TIMES, proving to her that she could expand her writing genres beyond lists and assignments.

In addition to the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Reynolds' personal opinion essays have appeared in other national newspapers, such as the DALLAS MORNING NEWS, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, and the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Her work has also appeared in small literary magazines, professional journals, and anthologies.

Through her own reading, Reynolds' experienced laughter, insight, intellectual and emotional growth, and other indescribable benefits. She wanted her students also to receive such benefits. Hers would be the last English class ever for many of them. If she could send them on their way with the gift of a reading habit, they would leave with the gift of a lifetime. But after they read Go Ask Alice, and The Outsiders, and selected Judy Blume novels, then what? In an attempt to broaden her students' reading possibilities, Reynolds wrote Telling, the story of a twelve-year-old girl who was being molested by a neighbor. Seeing the responses of her students to this book encouraged Reynolds to write Detour for Emmy, the story of a girl who gets pregnant at the age of fifteen. Thus the "True-to-Life from Hamilton High" series was launched.

After a lifetime in southern California, Reynolds and her husband, Michael, now live in northern California, near Sacramento. She enjoys walks along the American River, movies, dinners out, and of course, reading. Her grandchildren and adult children keep her on her toes. She maintains a demanding exercise regimen in a desperate and futile attempt to counteract the ravages of time. She continues to work with at-risk students, and to solicit their help in keeping her stories realistic and believable.

Love Rules - her best friend a lesbian? Can they still be friends?

A NEW RELEASE!

"..the best YA novel I have read with a central character who is gay-all the characters are interesting and the issues are compelling."
--Kliatt

Detour for Emmy - A teen mother's story
AN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS
SOUTH CAROLINA YOUNG ADULT BOOK AWARD, 1995-1996
". . . honest, heart-wrenching, inspirational, informative."
--Kliatt

Too Soon for Jeff - A teen father's story
AN ALA BEST BOOK FOR YOUNG ADULTS
"A thoughtful story for both young men and young women."
--Booklist

"Too Soon for Jeff" (An ABC Afterschool Special)
EMMY AWARD NOMINATION, Writing in a Children's Special
ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH, NANCY SUSAN REYNOLDS AWARD

Beyond Dreams (A collection of six short stories)
AN ALA SHORT TAKES SELECTION
". . . six stories about teens in crisis. . .Young adults will certainly identify with the characters and their problems. . ."
--Booklist

If You Loved Me - A teen's struggle with sexual abstinence
A NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, BEST BOOK FOR THE TEEN AGE
". . . informative and insightful, exploring difficult teen issues with honesty and a multi-faceted perspective."
--Booklist

Baby Help - The nightmare of teen partner abuse
A NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, BEST BOOK FOR THE TEEN AGE
"This is an excellent YA novel, with characters we care about."
--Kliatt

Telling - 12-year-old Cassie is molested by a trusted adult
AN ALA QUICK PICK FOR YOUNG ADULTS
"Reynolds has done a superb job of weaving the complexities of difficult issues into the life of an innocent child."
--School Library Journal

But What About Me - Portrays the horrors of acquaintance rape
A NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, BEST BOOK FOR THE TEEN AGE
"The characters are compelling...the writing superb."
-School Library Journal

READERS RESPOND:

"I'm one of those people that never read a whole book, until I came across Baby Help. That book inspired me."

"The struggles Emmy had to deal with made me sure I would not want to be in her position. I have decided to abstain from sex until marriage."

"Now I like to read books more than to watch movies because you showed me how much better it is."

"I just finished reading But What About Me and it was the most touching book I ever read. I'm a guy, but I can feel her."

"That book (Too Soon for Jeff) made me realize where my life was going, which was somewhere I didn't want it to go."

"Your book (Telling) helped me to understand some things I was going through. I learned how to not keep something inside of me an to tell my parents when something is wrong."

"I could relate to every one of the stories in Beyond Dreams, like they were about me or my friends."

"If You Loved Me" made me think about things in a new way."

"Thank you for turning me on to reading."

AUTHOR VISITS:

Marilyn Reynolds visits colleges, high schools and middle schools, as well as public libraries. Events are carefully structured to provide a meaningful experience for each particular audience. Her presentations may include slides, readings, group discussion, question-answer, and/or other activities.

The focus may be:
motivational--for reluctant readers
encouraging--for at-risk students whose lives are in turmoil
challenging--for advanced writers working on their craft

All presentations include a focus on the strength of the human spirit, the importance of reading for pleasure, and the necessity of listening to the inner voice which urges each of us, "Grow. Grow."

RESPONSES:

"Now everyone in our school is trying to borrow your books. I will always keep the books you signed for me. They are very special."

"She's for real. She knows what it's about."

"She inspired me to take my own writing seriously."

"Thank you for coming to our school. I have never finished a book before and now I've read four of yours."

WORKSHOPS:

In addition to decades of teaching experience, Reynolds holds a B.A. in English, an M.S. in Reading Education, and a K-12 Reading Specialist credential. With special emphasis on how to match students with activities that inspire reading and writing, Marilyn guides teachers through classroom-proven techniques that involve books, art, writing, individual studies, creative group activities, graphic organizers and more.

RESPONSES:

Using Young Adult Fiction with Pregnant and Parenting Teens - "The best workshop I've attended." "Wonderful! Inspiring!"

Teaching Tolerance Through Young Adult Fiction - "Very accessible, a delightful presenter." "She is excellent and so are her books."

Dealing with Reluctant Readers and Writers - "Specific techniques that are applicable to class-Bring her back!" "Very knowledgeable presenter."

Focus on Writers Conference - "The evaluations were uniformly excellent."

Author Talk on Censorship - "Enjoyable, humorous, and thought provoking." "Excellent! Great speaker." "I wasn't even close to falling asleep."

Marilyn's fee for presentations and workshops is $500.00 per day plus expenses for local visits. For visits that require travel of 100 miles or more, the fee is $800 for the first day, and $500.00 for each consecutive day, plus expenses. To arrange bookings, contact her at: 916-635-5995 or mmreynolds@earthlink.net .