Tanya Christenson
Author
Tanya Christenson is an elementary school counsellor who squeezes in writing, whenever she can.
New young adult novel
October 2021
A Soft Place to Fall
At Creighton Fischer’s new school in the town of Breton, he sees the sign: “Lane Oslo School of Educational Reform” - and he gets it. He’s a L.O.S.E.R. In the classroom, he meets other teens who, like him, are leftovers, misfits, several without family or skills or confidence.
Creighton and his classmates have one advantage: support and understanding from a teacher who encourages them to feel good about themselves. So when they learn that she is leaving at the end of the year to have a baby, they know what they will lose. They will have to fend for themselves and learn to survive by caring for each other, something their teacher has taught them how to do.
Finalist for the BC and Yukon
Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize
From the Author
A Soft Place to Fall is about a troubled group of teens who are trying to find their way in the world despite the many traumas that seem to follow them. As a teacher and school counsellor, the most difficult students are the ones that tug at my heart. They always have a story, that few people notice, because their challenging behaviors dominate. I’ve been writing this book in my mind for years, wanting others to look a little more deeply, to find some empathy, and also to give teens hope, that despite a traumatic past, you can be resilient and find your way in the world. Both teens (12 +) and adults will relate to the characters in this book and middle and secondary school teachers can enjoy using it as a novel study due to its prevalent themes.
“This quiet debut with a powerful message leaves readers plenty to ponder.”
“Tanya Christenson has created an emotional roller coaster of a novel...that portrays resilience and hope in the lives of young people.”
“The author succeeds in creating a story that illustrates how powerful and positive peer and mentor relationships can be ~ in families, in schools, and in those institutions that deal with troubled and disadvantaged youth.”
“This book tackles some heavy topics: rape, violence, teen pregnancy and family dysfunction. Its theme is resilience, and it’s a gripping read. The characters are distinctive and memorable, and most exhibit solid character growth by the end. The dialogue is authentic… the writing shines… ”
“We should all look forward to this author’s next book. (And is it any surprise she’s a teacher and counsellor?)
Highly Recommended
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