Hard Time

by Elspeth Cook, Anna Donald

Teens! Everything's black or white. No greys. Everyone believes they are invincible -- or useless. Who hasn't thought, 'that won't happen to me'? Well it happens to Debbie, Rocket, Kylie, and Steven -- a stolen car, a high-speed chase, a crash. There lives are put on hold ...except Stephen. He has no life.This novel doesn't flinch from portraying the reality and harshness of juvenile detention centers; the hope and despair, the fairness and inequity. It also addresses many fundamental the nature of offense, peer pressure, death, loyalty and friendship, self-image, hopelessness and suicide. A compelling read with a shocking climax.

198 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 1998