Experience the confusion, bravery, and hope of the Vietnam War era through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Jake Edwards, in author Helene Forst's poignant coming-of-age novel, Stoked - 1969.
For ages 12 to adult.
The world has gone completely crazy.
At least that's how it looks to Jake Edwards, whose whole life is upended in the blink of an eye.
Struggling with dyslexia and unable to read, Jake is sent to live with his wacky grandmother in the Adirondack Mountains in a last ditch effort to further his education.
But with his older brother off to war and America divided over its role in Vietnam, Jake finds himself questioning issues of patriotism, loyalty, and what it means to stand up for your beliefs. Surprising even himself, Jake learns a lot more than what's taught in the classroom.
A moving portrait of life in a time of crisis, Stoked - 1969 seamlessly weaves together history, poetry, and a riveting tale of a young boy learning to question the world around him for the very first time.
About the Author: Helene Forst is a Long Island, New York, native who attended the State University of New York at Stony Brook to study teaching. After marrying her high school sweetheart, she and her husband settled in East Hampton, New York, to raise their two sons.
In addition to being a grandmother, teacher, and environmental activist, Forst is also the author of the YA novel, The Journey of Hannah Woods.
