They Told Me I Had To Write This

(Paperback)

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Description

Clem is a boy in strife. Blamed for the death of his mother, carrying a terrible secret from Grade 5 and in trouble with the police, he's now in a school for toxic teenagers. And that rev-head school counsellor wants him to write letters. Through his writing Clem goes deep into the trauma that has defined his life. Then he comes face to face with his mother's death. In a rush of bush bike racing, the death of one student and the consequent arrest of another, an unexpected first girlfriend, and some surprising friendships, Clem's story is the celebration of a boy who finds an unexpected future.

Reviews

"Clems a bit of a no-hoper. His mum died when he was born, his dad has no time for him, hes been in trouble at school, and even with the police. He has other, darker secrets as well. This term hes not at his old school any morenow hes at Rocky Valley. Its a bit different to his old schoolthey have their own livestock, and they go camping, and abseiling, and have their own mountain biking track, which bike-mad Clem loves. They also have Sessionevery student spends time one-on-one with a teacher. Clems teacher is the Rev, who owns a classic car, an even cooler motorcycle, and has a habit of asking hard questions. Now he wants Clem to write letters. As if that could help. As if that could change anything. Clem is a powerful character with a strong voice, whose growth and changes through the story never fail to feel authentic. His experiences and story have a real resonance, no doubt from author Kim Millers years of working with just such kids. Dealing with violence, drugs and sexual abuse, They Told Me I Had to Write This is recommended for more mature readers.- Heath GrahamBookseller+Publisher, July/August 2009"

Author Bio

Kim Miller grew up freewheeling the backstreets of country NSW but now lives on coastal Lake Macquarie. First studying engineering, he holds a PhD blending theology and Jungian psychology. Kim was a prison chaplain for many years and now works with men coming out of prison.