MY ALTERNATE LIFE

Author: Lee McClain ISBN: 0843954515 9/2004 TEEN FICTION Publisher: DORCHESTER/Smooch

Did you ever wish for an alternate life . . . Where your piercings, leather, and mega-brains fit right in? Where guys knew when you liked them . . .and when no meant no? Where your birth mom wanted you back? Thanks to a mysterious computer game, urban tough girl Trinity B. Jones has the chance to live her alternate life. She just has to prove she can make it in this one first . . .

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Trinity Jones, a child deserted by her mother at age 8, has spent many years in various children’s and foster homes. Now she’s moving to another foster home, but it’s a bit different. For the first time, Trinity will be living in a rural community, rather than the city. When dropping her off at the new home, Trinity’s caseworker gives her an envelope with instructions not to open it until later when she’s on the computer. Inside the envelope is the name of a website where Trinity can see what her life would be like if her mother hadn’t left her.

For the most part, MY ALTERNATE LIFE tells the tale of Trinity’s attempts to fit in at her new school and life. But, we also journey with Trinity as she learns to accept her life as it is. Ms. McClain has written a story with a real, down-to-earth heroine. Trinity is gritty, flawed and at the same time, loveable. While some parts in the story dealing with an attempted sexual assault were uncomfortable for me to read, I recognize the validity in including that scene.

Overall, the story is fast-paced and exciting, but I did feel like some events at the end were rushed and not explained as fully as I’d wish. I would have liked to have a bit more explanation of Kelly and Lonnie’s relationship, especially involving the dance. In spite of some minor flaws, I found MY ALTERNATE LIFE a terrific story from a talented new author.

Kendra Patterson