Invisible i – The Amanda Project (HarperTeen, 2009) by Melissa Kantor is an intriguing book with a plus–it has a website, www.theamandaproject.com, where fans can interact. And, I’m happy to say, the book has a sequel in the works.
Here’s a brief introduction to the story:
9th grader Callie has problems at home and keeps thinking about how Amanda knows what those problems are. When she gets called into the office, she expects to see her dad. Instead the principal has two other students, Nia Rivera and Hal Bennett, and he accuses the three of them of helping Amanda vandalize his car. They barely know each other. But they all know Amanda and now she is missing.
Check out the author’s fun website at www.melissakantor.com. There you can read the first chapter of this book, sign up for Melissa’s newsletter, read about her other books, friend her on facebook and more.
GOING ABROAD
The Amanda Project has been sold to 9 countries! Is that cool, or what?! Read about it here!
Just after college graduation, I got a great job as the only marketing person at a big accounting firm. You can imagine the contrast, and the loneliness! I was the marketer: outside-the-box, creative, outgoing, optimistic, positive. Well, he was an accountant: rule-following, uptight, quiet, sarcastic, crass, and obnoxious. We butted heads from the first moment we met. I swore I couldn’t stand him.
One evening after work we found ourselves in a social setting and stuck talking to each other. At first I was stiff and judgemental, really wanted to blow him off. I had already decided who he was and that I abhorred him. But as he talked, I began to see a tender, caring person. He looked me in the eyes, asked me questions and had caring responses that showed he had really listened. And then he would laugh and share a response. I remember being stunned. And humbled. We began hanging out together with other twenty-somethings, he shared his boat and introduced me to lake life. He loved fun and music and the outdoors, and he loved to talk and hear my dreams and worries. His sarcasm became playful quips that helped me not take myself so seriously. He believed in me eventhough I did not believe in him at first. We became great friends. I moved away and we lost contact, but I have never forgotten that surprise friendship that taught me about myself and opened my heart to how wonderful people who are different than me can be.