It is 1968. Kingston, in an emerging garrison community. Roderick Brissett, an abandoned, adolescent boy, finds himself marooned in a world of child labor and cruelty. His main nemesis, Aunt Hope, threatens to destroy his youth. It would be his friend Chloe, herself an adolescent, who expands his world with the irresistible gift of books. Roderick finds other allies in the elders, Rastafarians and a Warner Woman. Will he unravel the painful family secrets that caused his mother's unthinkable actions? Will he build resilience or will he surrender to the lure of the dark streets of Kingston? A powerful examination of education, class, culture, kinship care and their effects on the adolescent.
Reviews:
‘Long Walk to Cherry Gardens’ brims with sheer inspiration and proves a monumental triumph for Bonner.
Dr. Glenville Ashby, Ph.D.
Masterfully written. Through her words and his eyes I see every young windshield wiper at a stoplight in Jamaica and every lost boy throughout time; but I also see every triumph of marginalized youth who push through to rise above their circumstances.
Judith Falloon-Reid, Author, Filmmaker & Host of Shelf Life
Reviews:
‘Long Walk to Cherry Gardens’ brims with sheer inspiration and proves a monumental triumph for Bonner.
Dr. Glenville Ashby, Ph.D.
Masterfully written. Through her words and his eyes I see every young windshield wiper at a stoplight in Jamaica and every lost boy throughout time; but I also see every triumph of marginalized youth who push through to rise above their circumstances.
Judith Falloon-Reid, Author, Filmmaker & Host of Shelf Life
By the time Roderick Brissett learns that he is being shipped away from his rural family home to live with his aunt in the city, it is too late. It is within the abyss of such harsh realities that he must find strength and seek some semblance of joy that will help him to survive, grow, and find his place in the world.
Reviews:
Olympic Gardens is a fresh and relevant. A powerful evocation of the life of an unwanted child. Bonner writes with a keen eye for telling events that underscore Roderick's predicament. Bonner has an eye and an ear for the telling details of island life. Her book resonates with Jamaican elements. Bonner also records the creole speech of Roderick with panache, not missing a beat or lyrical nuance. Literacy is a key issue in this first novel.
–Mary Hanna, Journalist: Bookends Jamaica Gleaner
Andrene’s Olympic Gardens is strong, touching, gripping, and steeped in the true-to-life experiences of Jamaican culture.
Lynn Quitman Troyka, Ph.D., Author: Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers and Quick Access Reference for Writers
Reviews:
Olympic Gardens is a fresh and relevant. A powerful evocation of the life of an unwanted child. Bonner writes with a keen eye for telling events that underscore Roderick's predicament. Bonner has an eye and an ear for the telling details of island life. Her book resonates with Jamaican elements. Bonner also records the creole speech of Roderick with panache, not missing a beat or lyrical nuance. Literacy is a key issue in this first novel.
–Mary Hanna, Journalist: Bookends Jamaica Gleaner
Andrene’s Olympic Gardens is strong, touching, gripping, and steeped in the true-to-life experiences of Jamaican culture.
Lynn Quitman Troyka, Ph.D., Author: Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers and Quick Access Reference for Writers
This Teaching Guide is a genre-centered, student-centered, and standards aligned literary roadmap that supplements the lessons a teacher intends for the novel, "No Life In Olympic Gardens". Some key features include:
Close Reading
Discussion Questions
Non-Fiction Connections
Grammar
Arts and Science Integration
Digital Literacy
Social Emotional Learning Activities
Journal, Essay and Creative Writing
Research
Answer keys
Close Reading
Discussion Questions
Non-Fiction Connections
Grammar
Arts and Science Integration
Digital Literacy
Social Emotional Learning Activities
Journal, Essay and Creative Writing
Research
Answer keys
I WROTE THIS BOOK FOR...
All parents especially the exhausted and overwhelmed parent of the under-performing student who wants to help engineer the best future for his or her child and is willing to make a change in order to do it. The stories and examples in this book help parents identify the harmful recurring patterns and habits that we hold dear, that we also inadvertently pass on to our children. The stories are a wake-up call to grow our awareness in order to break the tyranny of fear, illiteracy, abuse, abandonment and toxic relationships.
Reviews:
Everybody knows what to do. It's HOW to do it that is the hard part. Andrene Bonner has done a rare thing. Somehow, she has cobbled together her years as a student, her decades as a teacher, her experience as a mother, and her insights as a battle tested human to share ways in which you can help your child succeed. If you're looking for 60 pages of airy sophistry, this isn't the book for you. As an educator, I've seen many philosophical texts as to what needs to be done. Here is an actionable smorgasbord of stories that will allow a parent to find at least one good match, and use it to help his child succeed. Useful, practical, enjoyable - this is a hidden gem written by a real person who shares everything and hides little in the quest to help other parents. I wish I had gotten to it sooner.
Doug Marolla, Educator
As an educator for almost 20 years, I can truly attest to the statement that “teachers and parents putting their heads together, move mountains.” This book for everyone! It speaks to parents, educators, and the human spirit. It’s a candid look on how many of our childhood experiences can interlock with our adult behaviors or choices directly and indirectly. If you are looking for a way to leave your footprints on society or you are a parent who wants your struggling child to become a “successful, well-adjusted and happy adult” then this powerful, poignant and masterfully crafted piece of art is ideally suited for you.
Janet Whyte, Educator
All parents especially the exhausted and overwhelmed parent of the under-performing student who wants to help engineer the best future for his or her child and is willing to make a change in order to do it. The stories and examples in this book help parents identify the harmful recurring patterns and habits that we hold dear, that we also inadvertently pass on to our children. The stories are a wake-up call to grow our awareness in order to break the tyranny of fear, illiteracy, abuse, abandonment and toxic relationships.
Reviews:
Everybody knows what to do. It's HOW to do it that is the hard part. Andrene Bonner has done a rare thing. Somehow, she has cobbled together her years as a student, her decades as a teacher, her experience as a mother, and her insights as a battle tested human to share ways in which you can help your child succeed. If you're looking for 60 pages of airy sophistry, this isn't the book for you. As an educator, I've seen many philosophical texts as to what needs to be done. Here is an actionable smorgasbord of stories that will allow a parent to find at least one good match, and use it to help his child succeed. Useful, practical, enjoyable - this is a hidden gem written by a real person who shares everything and hides little in the quest to help other parents. I wish I had gotten to it sooner.
Doug Marolla, Educator
As an educator for almost 20 years, I can truly attest to the statement that “teachers and parents putting their heads together, move mountains.” This book for everyone! It speaks to parents, educators, and the human spirit. It’s a candid look on how many of our childhood experiences can interlock with our adult behaviors or choices directly and indirectly. If you are looking for a way to leave your footprints on society or you are a parent who wants your struggling child to become a “successful, well-adjusted and happy adult” then this powerful, poignant and masterfully crafted piece of art is ideally suited for you.
Janet Whyte, Educator
THIS COMPANION WORKBOOK...
Offers parents a deep dive to unpack in a safe way the hidden hurts and misconceptions you hold about yourself and the world. It offers affirmations to pay attention to your self-talk which is an important part necessary to make a change.
Click to Purchase
Offers parents a deep dive to unpack in a safe way the hidden hurts and misconceptions you hold about yourself and the world. It offers affirmations to pay attention to your self-talk which is an important part necessary to make a change.
Click to Purchase
I WROTE THIS BOOK FOR STUDENTS...
This workbook is a guide for students to discover their inner superhero, their inborn courage and strength. Its purpose is to help students practice positive self-talk, avoid overwhelm, relieve stress, maintain focus, accomplish daily tasks, take personal responsibility, discover their own unique learning styles, become skillful in the required subjects and make sense of the world.
Reviews:
Well, I wish I had this book when I was in middle school. It is the time when teens are most self-conscious about failure.
J. Maynard, Student Editor of "I Got It"
Its for people who love to keep track of everything and have diary entries. I'd recommend it for a few friends.
K. Graham, Student
This workbook is a guide for students to discover their inner superhero, their inborn courage and strength. Its purpose is to help students practice positive self-talk, avoid overwhelm, relieve stress, maintain focus, accomplish daily tasks, take personal responsibility, discover their own unique learning styles, become skillful in the required subjects and make sense of the world.
Reviews:
Well, I wish I had this book when I was in middle school. It is the time when teens are most self-conscious about failure.
J. Maynard, Student Editor of "I Got It"
Its for people who love to keep track of everything and have diary entries. I'd recommend it for a few friends.
K. Graham, Student
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These poems are based on a series of telephone interviews I conducted with Ms. Lou starting in 1997 while I was living in Burbank, California. I said to her, “Miss Lou, I am writing a one-woman show that celebrates the lives of three outstanding Caribbean Women. May I include your story?” She laughed her head off then said, “Oh dear, that’s wonderful—but three? Do one at a time. Don’t take on too much you know.” She was funny and wise. Little did I know that her story alone, Laugh A Revolution, a play as well as a memoir would take me over five years.
Release Date: Spring 2024
Release Date: Spring 2024