J. Hale Turner
ISBN: 9781432713249
Outskirts Press
Reviewed By Rhonda Carver
Official Apex Reviews Rating:
A few months shy of her sixteenth birthday, young Skye Patterson is feeling more empowered and independent than ever. Having already celebrated her impending “ladyhood” with her friends, she can hardly wait to engage in such official adolescent privileges as driving, late-night hangouts, and - most importantly - parent-sanctioned dating.
There’s only one problem that threatens to throw a monkey wrench in Skye’s well-crafted plans: her younger sister, Starr. Born with autism and possessive of a natural curiosity, Starr presents a special challenge to Skye’s much-anticipated emancipation, especially given the fact that their parents constantly saddle her with the responsibility of looking after her younger sister. So, with everything she has riding on the line, imagine Skye’s dismay when Starr accompanies her to the mall one day - then mysteriously disappears from sight…in her ensuing desperate search to recover her missing sibling, Skye can’t help wondering just how long into her 20’s and 30’s she’ll have to wait to celebrate her ultimate independence...
Orange Clouds Blue Sky takes the reader on an engaging journey through the heart and soul of a teenager - complete with all applicable drama and self-inflicted angst. In skillful fashion, J. Hale Turner conveys the inner workings of the typical teenage mind, an especially invaluable tool for any parent who struggles to understand the nebulous world of teen logic on a daily basis. Furthermore, as the story is told from Skye’s perspective, the unfolding action of the narrative is lent a palpable, human touch, which leaves an indelible impression on the reader and fosters an appreciation for the very real issues - both internal and external - that teens often face.
Probing, insightful, and equally entertaining, Orange Clouds Blue Sky is recommended reading for the young and old alike. A pleasantly surprising literary treat.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: J. Hale Turner (Orange Clouds Blue Sky)
Apex Reviews: J. Hale, thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking
forward to learning more about your book.
What inspired you to craft such an engaging tale of the trials and tribulations
of teenage life?
J. Hale Turner: Thank you. Over the years, I had the privilege of working with teens in the local community programs. It was truly an eye opener; one can’t help but listen to issues they face at school and at home. Unfortunately, many of our young people again fall victim to peer pressure -- seeking advice of the inexperienced vs. reliable parental or adult advice. The young and the elderly always served as my inspiration to write about them, their lives, their challenges, their successes, etc. All of us want to hope for the better. Thus, ORANGE CLOUDS BLUE SKY became my introductory novel about family – family unity and support without being overly preachy.
AR: Is the story based at all on your own personal experience?
JHT: My sister who
has autism shares in the inspiration of the story in the character of Starr who
has similar artistic talents. ORANGE
CLOUDS BLUE SKY, I must emphasize, isn’t a story about autism, but introduces a
character who has that disability, and who innocently exposes the shortcomings
or limitations of others while struggling through life. The characters and the events are quite
fictional – definitely not biographical.
AR: Our reviewer commented on how realistically you were able to convey the
innermost thoughts and feelings of a teenager. How were you able to capture
their musings so effectively?
JHT: As an art student many, many, many (did I say enough manys?) years ago, I learned that a skill to create a realistic portrait is the ability to capture the soul of the subject. Writing, to me, is another way to draw a portrait – to capture the full picture or essence of individuals, and I truly hope that’s what I’ve accomplished with this novel. It’s fascinating (and unnerving at times) conversing with young people and overhearing their conversations with each other. To me they can be just as entertaining as they can be alarming. Each generation seems to be much more expressive and if they feel comfortable with someone, it doesn’t take long for them to open up. Listening to them is a whole new learning process, believe me.
AR: What kinds of reactions have you gotten to the book thus far?
JHT: I’m happy that you asked that, because I continue to receive emails from readers who discuss the Patterson family in ORANGE CLOUDS with such familiarity that I have to regroup to remember that these characters are fictional. Some readers react to the story with gravity, while others acknowledge the story’s poignancy with its dash of humor. My favorite response is that the story was like watching a movie running in their mind, because that’s how I visualize my stories as I write them.
AR: Please share more with us about your proud family heritage of storytelling.
JHT: Anyone who has ever met my vibrant family was never bored. One couldn’t help but be drawn into a circle of warmth and humor with family members each offering their captivating stories of our colorful family history. Recently, we discovered an extended member of our family who linked some of the stories we always heard. Looking at us today, we have become a hodgepodge of our past. Growing up may have mirrored our parents’ youth (perhaps to their chagrin or pride) with the dwindling number of strong family of elders who still don’t hold back from keeping us on the straight and narrow. Believe me, we now have stories to tell our future young ones that will leave them speechless, amazed (or perplexed) and inspired just as we were by our parents.
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with Outskirts Press?
JHT: Before I chose Outskirts Press, Miss Skeptic here compared their services, checked their references and spoke to other published authors who were impressed with OC with heartfelt satisfaction. True to their words, I haven’t regretted the choice one bit – in fact, it was a pleasant education. So, would I work with them again? A definite yes.
AR: Please share more with us about your other writings.
JHT: My first love is writing children’s books, and I possess an archive of stories I wish to share in the future. During my parents’ illnesses I discovered they never lost their passion for reading and with persistence I started off reading aloud children stories and eventually they began reading on their own. Since then, I have encouraged families to read to (or with) their elderly ones. The positive results are that reading helps to improve their cognitive skills while drawing the family closer together through communication. Have you ever seen a youngster read to an elderly person? That is such a beautiful picture. The first of the published works is I LOVE TO SING AND DANCE, a tribute to my love for the arts. MISS BETTY’S DAYCARE soon followed as a tribute to the amazing caregivers we entrust with our children.
AR: Also, please share more with us about the Sing & Dance Club.
JHT: The Sing &
Dance Club was created to motivate reading for all ages, with a certificate of satisfaction
to download. Sometimes music and
animation through dance stimulate the mental development and imagination for
our readers. My future project is to update the site and present a monthly
newsletter as a motivation for family reading and provide information on literary
events for them to enjoy.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
JHT: After an
extended hiatus, I look forward to completing a novel titled EDEN'S GARDEN. I’m in the editing stage for my young readers
– a series and a folklore tale.
AR: Do you have a website where our readers can learn more about you and your
ongoing efforts?
JHT: Yes. My website address is: www.jhaleturner.com.
AR: Also, how can they contact you directly?
JHT: They are
welcome to e-mail me at jhaleturner@yahoo.com. I enjoy hearing from my readers.
AR: Will you be making any appearances anytime soon where our readers can come
out and support you?
JHT: My appearances
will be limited this year, but plans will be made after the completion of my
next novel.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
JHT: Oh, yes. I encourage families of all ages to read to each other, to keep the door of communication open. Our lives and the lives of those yet to come depend on it.
AR: Thanks again, J.
Hale, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
JHT: Thank you. It was my pleasure.