About the Author

Laurie Gray has worked as a high school teacher, a deputy prosecuting attorney, and the founder of Socratic Parenting LLC (www.SocraticParenting.com). In addition to writing, speaking and consulting, Laurie currently works as a bilingual child forensic interviewer at her local Child Advocacy Center and as an adjunct professor of criminal sciences at Indiana Tech. She has served on the faculty of the National Symposium for Child Abuse in Huntsville, Alabama, annually since 2009.

Reviews

"When a young person changes, suddenly and dramatically, for no apparent reason, there may be a reason that is not immediately apparent. In MAYBE I WILL, Laurie Gray insightfully explores such a situation. You will want to read this story twice." --Helen Frost, Printz Honor Award-winning author of KEESHA "In MAYBE I WILL, author Laurie Gray deals with a difficult topic in a thoughtful, nuanced, and realistic way. A pinch of humor and dash of Shakespeare add flavor to what otherwise might be an overly heavy stew. MAYBE I WILLl belongs on teens' reading lists and bookshelves alongside classics of its type such as Laurie Halse Anderson's SPEAK and Cheryl Rainfield's SCARS." --Mike Mullin, award winning author of ASHFALL and ASHEN WINTER Sandy is written so as to be readable as either male or female...the book's portrayal is largely successful and the note it hits at the end is hopeful without being unrealistic. A careful treatment of a difficult topic. -- Kirkus Reviews MAYBE I WILL is a fantastic story that stirs reader emotions and shares a meaningful story. I would recommend it to teenagers who enjoy realistic fiction and books like SPEAK. -- LitPik MAYBE I WILL sets the stage for serious discussion about sexual assualt and the complications that arise form coming clean. -- VOYA

Sandy has two close friends, Callie and Troy; immediate plans to audition for the lead in the high school musical, Peter Pan; and dreams that include Juilliard, Hollywood, and Broadway. But after Sandy is sexually assaulted by Callie's boyfriend, Sandy's life unravels. Sandy starts to steal and abuse alcohol, lies to everyone about what happened, and becomes isolated. Sandy's supportive and concerned parents try to help, but seeing a "psycho therapist" is the last thing Sandy wants. Sandy's gender is never revealed to readers, a decision intended to make the teenager's experience more universal, but which instead keeps the character at a distance, despite Sandy also being the narrator. A new friend, Shanika, introduces Sandy to tae kwon do, which helps, but true recovery is impossible until Sandy faces the incident head-on. Gray (Summer Sanctuary) draws from her professional experience with teens in this fast-moving and emotional story. While readers may empathize with Sandy's pain and recognize the value in seeking counsel from family and professionals alike, wooden dialogue and the characters' overall artificiality keep the book from realizing its full potential. Ages 13-18. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 9 Up-Sandy plans to audition for the school's production of Peter Pan. Never identified as male or female, the aspiring actor loves performing and intends to go to Juilliard for a degree in drama. Sandy has two close friends: Cassie and Troy. When Cassie's boyfriend, Aaron, sexually assaults Sandy, the teen becomes depressed, turns to alcohol, begins to shoplift, and pulls away from Cassie and Troy. Sandy develops a new friendship with Shanika and is introduced to tae kwon do, which helps a little, but it is not until the teen's parents eventually learn of the troubles and become involved that recovery is possible. The author intentionally does not identify Sandy's gender to demonstrate that neither sex is immune to trauma, but this device hinders readers' ability to fully connect with the character. The narrative never truly resonates with readers because of their inability to empathize with Sandy.-Melissa Stock, Arapahoe Library District, Englewood, CO (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.