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White Chalk
Evolved Publishing presents an intimate glance inside teenage angst and confusion, and one talented but troubled girl's attempt to make sense of life, in the coming-of-age tale, "White Chalk," by award-winning author Pavarti K. Tyler. [Literary, New Adult, Women's Fiction]
Chelle isn’t a typical 13-year-old girl—she doesn’t laugh with friends, play sports, or hang out at the mall after school. Instead, she navigates a world well beyond her years.
Life in Dawson, ND spins on as she grasps at people, pleading for someone to save her—to return her to the simple childhood of unicorns on her bedroom wall and stories on her father’s knee.
When Troy Christiansen walks into her life, Chelle is desperate to believe his arrival will be her salvation. So much so, she forgets to save herself. After experiencing a tragedy at school, her world begins to crack, causing a deeper scar in her already fragile psyche.
Follow Chelle’s twisted tale of modern adolescence, as she travels down the rabbit hole into a reality none of us wants to admit actually exists.
Chelle isn’t a typical 13-year-old girl—she doesn’t laugh with friends, play sports, or hang out at the mall after school. Instead, she navigates a world well beyond her years.
Life in Dawson, ND spins on as she grasps at people, pleading for someone to save her—to return her to the simple childhood of unicorns on her bedroom wall and stories on her father’s knee.
When Troy Christiansen walks into her life, Chelle is desperate to believe his arrival will be her salvation. So much so, she forgets to save herself. After experiencing a tragedy at school, her world begins to crack, causing a deeper scar in her already fragile psyche.
Follow Chelle’s twisted tale of modern adolescence, as she travels down the rabbit hole into a reality none of us wants to admit actually exists.
- GenresYoung Adult
272 pages, Paperback
First published June 19, 2013
6 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
About the author
Pavarti K. Tyler
31 books516 followersUSA TODAY Best Selling Erotic Romance Author
Pavarti K Tyler is an artist, wife, mother and number cruncher. She graduated Smith College in 1999 with a degree in Theatre. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director and Production Manager on productions both on and off Broadway. Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry several international law firms. She now lives with her husband, two daughters and one very large, very terrible dog. She keeps busy working with fabulous authors as the Director of Marketing at Novel Publicity and penning her next novel.
Pavarti K Tyler is an artist, wife, mother and number cruncher. She graduated Smith College in 1999 with a degree in Theatre. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director and Production Manager on productions both on and off Broadway. Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry several international law firms. She now lives with her husband, two daughters and one very large, very terrible dog. She keeps busy working with fabulous authors as the Director of Marketing at Novel Publicity and penning her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 2, 2019
This book has been on my list of books to review for a long time. I remember clearly how this book affected me when I finished the last page. It stayed with me for weeks. A piece of fiction that is so realistically written, and I KNOW there are young teens (and older) who had, do, and will experience very similar to Chelle's.
Chelle is the main character, a 13 year old adolescence girl. I know what her home life felt like, because I went through similar. My mom was always working and I had a step dad that rarely work but spent his waking hours getting drunk. As a male, my story is quite different than hers but this book makes me emotional and heart-sick, especially with the shared experiences.
As you can probably guess, this book was a difficult read, not because it was poorly written. That is far from the truth. This book was so well written and the emotions, angst, depression, need for love, and the despair, in my opinion cannot aspire to better prose. I wanted to be an adult that recognize what Chelle was going through, not a betrayer like her teacher, I wanted to be her saving angel, to see her and assure her of her worth, and love her as a parent should.
I wondered multiple times if the author went through the same, or was close to someone who did. This is a fictional account of true experiences that might be more common that people suspect. This was a difficult book, and I highly recommend it for parents of teens, even preteens.
Chelle is the main character, a 13 year old adolescence girl. I know what her home life felt like, because I went through similar. My mom was always working and I had a step dad that rarely work but spent his waking hours getting drunk. As a male, my story is quite different than hers but this book makes me emotional and heart-sick, especially with the shared experiences.
As you can probably guess, this book was a difficult read, not because it was poorly written. That is far from the truth. This book was so well written and the emotions, angst, depression, need for love, and the despair, in my opinion cannot aspire to better prose. I wanted to be an adult that recognize what Chelle was going through, not a betrayer like her teacher, I wanted to be her saving angel, to see her and assure her of her worth, and love her as a parent should.
I wondered multiple times if the author went through the same, or was close to someone who did. This is a fictional account of true experiences that might be more common that people suspect. This was a difficult book, and I highly recommend it for parents of teens, even preteens.
August 10, 2013
I wanted to be smaller, to fold myself up until I was too tiny to be hurt, to disappear. I would float away like a speck of dust, no more than a passing thought to those who noticed me.
Thirteen year old Chelle has a life that is anything but happy. Her world is full of people who are incapable of giving her the love and care that most thirteen year olds receive to flourish and grow. Her home life is full of dysfunction. Her father is a barely around, but when he is, he is drunk and uncaring. At times abusive, both physically, and more often than not, emotionally. Her mother spends most of her time at work and for the most part Chelle is left to fend for herself. She is bullied on a regular basis at school and taken advantage of and used by an adult in a position of authority.
He looked up only once, and by the smirk on his wide full lips, I knew I'd been caught staring. It didn't really matter. I'd fallen instantly and obsessively in love, but not the kind of teenage drama crap you might expect. No, this was the real soul-wrenching kind of love. I'd never be the same again.
Then Troy Christiansen enters her world and she thinks he will be the one to save her. He offers her friendship and a shoulder to lean on when things get tough. But Chelle wants more. She is so completely and utterly in love with him. She drops everything to spend time with him, always hoping that his friendship will turn to something more.
White Chalk is not a story that will fill your heart with joy. it is not a book that will have you grinning from ear to ear as you read it. It is not a book that will have you swooning over the gorgeous guy and falling in love. White Chalk is gritty and raw. It is full of deeply flawed individuals and is at times depressing and heartbreaking. Chelle will make your heart ache for her. She will make you want to reach into the pages of the book just so you can hold her and give her love. She will make you cry for her. Every single time she placed herself in a situation that would end badly, or she was taken advantage of, or she was knocked down, I prayed that she would find the strength to get back up.
Troy doesn't come from the most stable of homes himself but despite his flaws, I liked him. I liked that he stood up for Chelle. I liked that despite their age difference they had a connection. Yes he made some really dumb decisions at times and those decisions impacted so much on Chelle, but then everything he did had an impact on her because she placed so much belief in him.
A character that really surprised me was Cat. I didn't like her at first. She was abrupt and snarky when it came to Chelle. But then she was so much older than her. But she was a ray of light. She was supportive and kind, offering a shoulder to lean on.
Pavarti K. Tyler's writing is exceptional. She has tackled so many hard hitting subjects and woven them all together to create a deeply moving and emotionally gripping novel. There were many times that we glimpsed darkness throughout Chelle's story, but it was the ending that was the darkest of all. If you want to take a look at the sad realities of life that some teens are suffering through, then pick yourself up a copy of White Chalk.
5/5 Deeply Real Stars
Thirteen year old Chelle has a life that is anything but happy. Her world is full of people who are incapable of giving her the love and care that most thirteen year olds receive to flourish and grow. Her home life is full of dysfunction. Her father is a barely around, but when he is, he is drunk and uncaring. At times abusive, both physically, and more often than not, emotionally. Her mother spends most of her time at work and for the most part Chelle is left to fend for herself. She is bullied on a regular basis at school and taken advantage of and used by an adult in a position of authority.
He looked up only once, and by the smirk on his wide full lips, I knew I'd been caught staring. It didn't really matter. I'd fallen instantly and obsessively in love, but not the kind of teenage drama crap you might expect. No, this was the real soul-wrenching kind of love. I'd never be the same again.
Then Troy Christiansen enters her world and she thinks he will be the one to save her. He offers her friendship and a shoulder to lean on when things get tough. But Chelle wants more. She is so completely and utterly in love with him. She drops everything to spend time with him, always hoping that his friendship will turn to something more.
White Chalk is not a story that will fill your heart with joy. it is not a book that will have you grinning from ear to ear as you read it. It is not a book that will have you swooning over the gorgeous guy and falling in love. White Chalk is gritty and raw. It is full of deeply flawed individuals and is at times depressing and heartbreaking. Chelle will make your heart ache for her. She will make you want to reach into the pages of the book just so you can hold her and give her love. She will make you cry for her. Every single time she placed herself in a situation that would end badly, or she was taken advantage of, or she was knocked down, I prayed that she would find the strength to get back up.
Troy doesn't come from the most stable of homes himself but despite his flaws, I liked him. I liked that he stood up for Chelle. I liked that despite their age difference they had a connection. Yes he made some really dumb decisions at times and those decisions impacted so much on Chelle, but then everything he did had an impact on her because she placed so much belief in him.
A character that really surprised me was Cat. I didn't like her at first. She was abrupt and snarky when it came to Chelle. But then she was so much older than her. But she was a ray of light. She was supportive and kind, offering a shoulder to lean on.
Pavarti K. Tyler's writing is exceptional. She has tackled so many hard hitting subjects and woven them all together to create a deeply moving and emotionally gripping novel. There were many times that we glimpsed darkness throughout Chelle's story, but it was the ending that was the darkest of all. If you want to take a look at the sad realities of life that some teens are suffering through, then pick yourself up a copy of White Chalk.
5/5 Deeply Real Stars
May 7, 2016
The writing is exceptional. Pavarti Tyler brings the main character, Chelle, a thirteen year old girl from a dysfunctional family, who turns fourteen during the book, to life in this disturbing novel told from her point of view. She bares her soul in this book, and I really felt for her as she struggled to navigate an existence that no one would wish on any teenage girl, yet is undeniably real for some. This is not a book for the faint-hearted. It deals with complex, tough, even taboo subjects, and it does so extremely realistically. Chelle makes some bad choices, but from her viewpoint, her emotional outlook and need, they make sense in a rather disturbing way. That made White Chalk a compelling read, and a story and character I won't ever forget.
The other characters in the book are also well-portrayed, and as the story is from Chelle's point of view, the reader must wonder at their motivations. Some of them take advantage of her; some seem to want to befriend and help her. It all adds to Chelle's emotional confusion and self-doubt, and to my experience as a reader, because I had strong feelings about some of them.
I do not want to add any detail of the plot because that would spoil the story. White Chalk is for readers who want to be challenged emotionally and idealistically, mesmerized by great writing and a unforgettable characters, and be drawn deeply into a disturbed teenage girl's life as it falls apart around her. I highly recommend it.
The other characters in the book are also well-portrayed, and as the story is from Chelle's point of view, the reader must wonder at their motivations. Some of them take advantage of her; some seem to want to befriend and help her. It all adds to Chelle's emotional confusion and self-doubt, and to my experience as a reader, because I had strong feelings about some of them.
I do not want to add any detail of the plot because that would spoil the story. White Chalk is for readers who want to be challenged emotionally and idealistically, mesmerized by great writing and a unforgettable characters, and be drawn deeply into a disturbed teenage girl's life as it falls apart around her. I highly recommend it.
July 24, 2013
I had to sit on this book for days just to be coherent enough to write a review. This book is completely terrifying as well a realistic look into what teenagers can face while they're growing up. I can't help but think that if Chelle's parents were a bit more involved in her life that this story would be completely different, but in this world of addiction and violence, this unfortunate tale could very well be common.
The story is heavy and heartbreaking. Chelle reminds me a lot of my niece, making this story that much more difficult for me to read. I just wanted to be there for Chelle. I wanted to hug her and tell her that I loved her and that everything will be okay. The story is disturbingly memorizing, even though there were many times that I just felt like I needed a break, I couldn't put this book down.
This book is a perfect storm of the horror that can befall a child in their coming of age years. I highly recommend this book, just don't start it expecting a light and fluffy read.
Note: I received a free copy of this book for honest review.
The story is heavy and heartbreaking. Chelle reminds me a lot of my niece, making this story that much more difficult for me to read. I just wanted to be there for Chelle. I wanted to hug her and tell her that I loved her and that everything will be okay. The story is disturbingly memorizing, even though there were many times that I just felt like I needed a break, I couldn't put this book down.
This book is a perfect storm of the horror that can befall a child in their coming of age years. I highly recommend this book, just don't start it expecting a light and fluffy read.
Note: I received a free copy of this book for honest review.
June 20, 2013
This is a wonderfully written book filled with the truths of a life forced to find its own way far to early. It is raw and authentic and yet beautiful in the way it shows how life happens versus how life should happen. I couldn't put it down and read straight through start to finish. I love books like this, stories which show real life and not fairy tales with happy endings but the brutallity and fragility that come wrapped up in real human emotions.
July 13, 2017
This book was well written but absolutely one of the most careless novels directed towards the young adult audience. The main character had so many serious issues that were glossed over while she fixated on a guy who treated her like a best friend that he can't help himself but to add the " with benefits " aspect.
The fact that he's aware of the abuse going on in he home, her lack of friends at school, and her obvious feelings for him was a terrible example to set for girls who can probably relate to at least 3 of the myriad of issues this girl was saddled with. The opportunity the author had to turn things around when the character from the record store starts taking an active interest in her was where a positive influence and lifeline could have been thrown but instead everything got shut down at that point.
This book is everything that "13 reasons why" by Jay Asher was accused of being. The major difference being that this book is actually full of triggers for anyone who has suicidal thoughts, cutting, molestation issues, drug use including drinking underage, smoking cigarettes and weed underage and getting in a vehicle with anyone who has.
The ridiculous comparison to this novel being" Lolita meets 13 Reasons Why" is an insult to both of those novels as well as what they stood for. In all honesty I would have liked to put this book in my dnf shelf but felt compelled to finish it with hopes the author redeemed herself in some way. Alas this was not the case. Were it possible to give books negative stars I would have.
The fact that he's aware of the abuse going on in he home, her lack of friends at school, and her obvious feelings for him was a terrible example to set for girls who can probably relate to at least 3 of the myriad of issues this girl was saddled with. The opportunity the author had to turn things around when the character from the record store starts taking an active interest in her was where a positive influence and lifeline could have been thrown but instead everything got shut down at that point.
This book is everything that "13 reasons why" by Jay Asher was accused of being. The major difference being that this book is actually full of triggers for anyone who has suicidal thoughts, cutting, molestation issues, drug use including drinking underage, smoking cigarettes and weed underage and getting in a vehicle with anyone who has.
The ridiculous comparison to this novel being" Lolita meets 13 Reasons Why" is an insult to both of those novels as well as what they stood for. In all honesty I would have liked to put this book in my dnf shelf but felt compelled to finish it with hopes the author redeemed herself in some way. Alas this was not the case. Were it possible to give books negative stars I would have.
August 17, 2013
Originally Reviewed At: Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: Blog Tour
Reviewer: Sarika
Note: This review does contain spoilers
This book was impossibly difficult to review. I read it once, re-read certain parts again, and then abandoned my kindle for a few days so as to free myself from the mixed emotions this book began to spurn in me. I revisited the novel a little later, and I’ve sufficiently narrowed down my feelings about Chelle and her ‘screwed up life’.
I didn’t enjoy reading this book. I doubt anyone would, given the deeply morbid and extremely unsettling themes it covers. Don’t get me wrong-I am definitely not one of those people who think a good book must merit a feel-good read. Half of my favorite books are equally depressing, saddening and cover equally dark topics. I just didn’t like how Tyler dealt with these issues in the first place.
1. Pedophilia: I understand the extremely fragile nature of this topic, and I definitely respect the author for attempting to delve into the many layers that cover this issue. However, I disliked the way Chelle was painted as a completely innocent character (A teacher explicitly stated that she wouldn’t get in trouble for her interaction with Mr Harris, no matter what conspired between them, because as a minor, she is apparently inherently innocent) where she was most often the instigator in their relationship. Yes, she’s a thirteen year old kid, and she was navigating through some treacherous waters-but I don’t see how this is a viable defense. Her feelings that guide her through the relationship, the ‘rush of power’ and ‘feelings of control’ aren’t thoughts a normal teenager would have in the first place-she shouldn’t be able to use a youth as an excuse: she was just as accountable as the teacher in their mistakes.
2. Her relationship problems: Again, it unsettled me to see how the protagonist was painted as a victim with regards to her relationship with Troy, when she knew he was in a relationship, when she knew he was unable to commit to her. Although getting involved with such a young child was definitely wrong on Troy’s part, it doesn’t excuse Chelle’s actions whatsoever. Yes, he was unable to detect her feelings for him towards the beginning of the novel; yes, he fooled around with her when he shouldn’t have, but Chelle made questionable decisions herself, and the fact that she was a girl and that she was younger does not make her any less liable for the disaster that ensued. Again, I disliked the prejudice Tyler displayed that made it appear as though these two feats made her inherently innocent.
3. The ending: I know it will sound brutal to condemn Chelle for her final act of suicide, but I promised myself I would be honest in this review; and these are my honest feelings- I am extremely disappointed with the casual manner in which the author tosses away Chelle’s life, when there were so many windows of opportunities for the protagonist. She was unusually intelligent, had friends who cared for her, another love interest who loved her, along with a wonderful mother and supportive teachers. If a book were to be a champion for suicide prevention amongst the youth, this wouldn’t be a very good nomination because throwing your life away because of a boy is not acceptable at all. If I could have made any alterations to the book, I would’ve made her seize the opportunity to change given to her by her teachers, showing teens just like her that there is a solution, and that there’s no such thing as a lost cause.
Lastly, the writing style didn’t appeal to me as much as I thought it would. It did not invoke any sympathy on my part, simply because I don’t think the writer gave herself much time to build up on the emotions surrounding her gritty reality. It seemed like problem after problem kept hurling themselves at Chelle; an abusive father, a smoking addiction, an inappropriate relationship with a teacher, best friend troubles, living under poor circumstances and relationship drama, so that eventually they just became a list of troubles that didn’t do too much to make the character very likable. I believe Tyler was banking too much on the premeditated sadness associated with these issues that she forgot to establish any emotion herself.
Having said that, I did admire the risks she took with her writing, and the way she managed to capture the mind of a suicidal teen so well. It just wasn’t for me-maybe it’ll be different for you.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: Blog Tour
Reviewer: Sarika
Note: This review does contain spoilers
This book was impossibly difficult to review. I read it once, re-read certain parts again, and then abandoned my kindle for a few days so as to free myself from the mixed emotions this book began to spurn in me. I revisited the novel a little later, and I’ve sufficiently narrowed down my feelings about Chelle and her ‘screwed up life’.
I didn’t enjoy reading this book. I doubt anyone would, given the deeply morbid and extremely unsettling themes it covers. Don’t get me wrong-I am definitely not one of those people who think a good book must merit a feel-good read. Half of my favorite books are equally depressing, saddening and cover equally dark topics. I just didn’t like how Tyler dealt with these issues in the first place.
1. Pedophilia: I understand the extremely fragile nature of this topic, and I definitely respect the author for attempting to delve into the many layers that cover this issue. However, I disliked the way Chelle was painted as a completely innocent character (A teacher explicitly stated that she wouldn’t get in trouble for her interaction with Mr Harris, no matter what conspired between them, because as a minor, she is apparently inherently innocent) where she was most often the instigator in their relationship. Yes, she’s a thirteen year old kid, and she was navigating through some treacherous waters-but I don’t see how this is a viable defense. Her feelings that guide her through the relationship, the ‘rush of power’ and ‘feelings of control’ aren’t thoughts a normal teenager would have in the first place-she shouldn’t be able to use a youth as an excuse: she was just as accountable as the teacher in their mistakes.
2. Her relationship problems: Again, it unsettled me to see how the protagonist was painted as a victim with regards to her relationship with Troy, when she knew he was in a relationship, when she knew he was unable to commit to her. Although getting involved with such a young child was definitely wrong on Troy’s part, it doesn’t excuse Chelle’s actions whatsoever. Yes, he was unable to detect her feelings for him towards the beginning of the novel; yes, he fooled around with her when he shouldn’t have, but Chelle made questionable decisions herself, and the fact that she was a girl and that she was younger does not make her any less liable for the disaster that ensued. Again, I disliked the prejudice Tyler displayed that made it appear as though these two feats made her inherently innocent.
3. The ending: I know it will sound brutal to condemn Chelle for her final act of suicide, but I promised myself I would be honest in this review; and these are my honest feelings- I am extremely disappointed with the casual manner in which the author tosses away Chelle’s life, when there were so many windows of opportunities for the protagonist. She was unusually intelligent, had friends who cared for her, another love interest who loved her, along with a wonderful mother and supportive teachers. If a book were to be a champion for suicide prevention amongst the youth, this wouldn’t be a very good nomination because throwing your life away because of a boy is not acceptable at all. If I could have made any alterations to the book, I would’ve made her seize the opportunity to change given to her by her teachers, showing teens just like her that there is a solution, and that there’s no such thing as a lost cause.
Lastly, the writing style didn’t appeal to me as much as I thought it would. It did not invoke any sympathy on my part, simply because I don’t think the writer gave herself much time to build up on the emotions surrounding her gritty reality. It seemed like problem after problem kept hurling themselves at Chelle; an abusive father, a smoking addiction, an inappropriate relationship with a teacher, best friend troubles, living under poor circumstances and relationship drama, so that eventually they just became a list of troubles that didn’t do too much to make the character very likable. I believe Tyler was banking too much on the premeditated sadness associated with these issues that she forgot to establish any emotion herself.
Having said that, I did admire the risks she took with her writing, and the way she managed to capture the mind of a suicidal teen so well. It just wasn’t for me-maybe it’ll be different for you.
August 10, 2016
Find more reviews on What She Reads
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There is nothing more heartbreaking than someone so young having to grow up way too fast. Michelle "Chell" Whitney a thirteen year old in eighth grade who knows this all too well. This is a devastating tale of a young girl trying to just simply live only to be dealt what most thirteen years olds should not have to deal with. This is a tale about love, neglect, sex and death.
Chell's home home life isn't easy, with a father who is always drunk and a mother who is always out working trying to make ends meat, Chell has had to grow up and fast. So instead of hanging out with friends and going to parties Chell is the one to clean the house everyday from her father's drunken antics and wash the family clothes on weekends just so her mother can get a some rest. So when the new junior, Troy walks into Chell's life she instantly finds solace from all that has been brought up to torment her.
"He looked up only once and, by the smirk on his wide full lips, i knew id been caught staring. It didn't really matter. i'd fallen instantly and obsessively in love, but not the kind of teenage drama crap you might expect. No, this was the real soul-wrenching kind of love. I'd never be the same again"
Troy not realising his mistake befriends Chell and invites her to hang out with him to meet his new friends not realising she is somehow hopelessly "in love" with him. I find the relationship between the two to be an unusual one, the signs are quite heavy between the two of them leaving Chell to be left ultimately distraught when Troy starts dating the beautiful, alternative Xiu.
In the end it is Troy's selfish actions that tip Chell over the edge even after she was told that it probably would not end too well... for her.
"Look I love the kid, but he's an ass. He's a seventeen-year-old boy- he has no choice but to be an ass..."
From the get go Chell has been taken advantage of and not just by her parent's but by someone who she should feel she would be safe with and this is where the story gets a bit sore. Sometimes we forget that Chell is just a thirteen year old girl, how she acts and they way her parents seem to not worry about her whereabouts i would say this girl is living the life of someone who should be in college. So when we find out that her teacher, Mr Harris has been taking advantage of her we almost don't process that Mr Harris is in fact a pedophile.
I don't particular read books that have situations / acts of pedophillia but the way Parvarti writes the scenes and the way she portrays Chell as a character almost softens the blow.
What is most upsetting is when she is with Mr Harris the way she speaks to him and the way she feels that she is in control and has a choice in what she gives and receives should not be the mind of someone so young. Mr Harris and a brilliant manipulator and acts almost like he has a split personality filling the void of the father she most desperately needs and the lover she so desperately wants.
"Mr Harris ran his hand up and down his thighs, his breathing strained. Seeing him like that, holding back but almost in pain from what I did, thrilled me. I was important. I was wanted."
Chell's scars aren't only internal but also physical, we don't know how long for but we know that Chell self harms to escape the pain of life, sucoming to the nnumbness she feels when she see her blood drop to the floor tiles. Some people go through life neglecting, judging and even mocking situations like Chell's and are too afraid to intervene or help, putting up a wall so girls and boys like Chell feel like they can't ask for help, even when that help has finally been extended to them.
This book covers a lot of heartache and the ending left me in such a shock it will forever be stuck in my head. I give this book a rating of 5*. Be warned though this book is not for the lighthearted you will be left feeling like you've just been punched in the stomach.
COVER ART:
The cover art fits this book perfectly, with the warm tones of magenta and red we see the combination of the love, lust, anger, death just by the colour pallet. The model fits the bill brilliantly, the model is young and beautiful with big doe eyes which can tell a story. The cover almost feels quite grown up ad quite harsh until were thrown that little bit on innocence with the lollipop.
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There is nothing more heartbreaking than someone so young having to grow up way too fast. Michelle "Chell" Whitney a thirteen year old in eighth grade who knows this all too well. This is a devastating tale of a young girl trying to just simply live only to be dealt what most thirteen years olds should not have to deal with. This is a tale about love, neglect, sex and death.
Chell's home home life isn't easy, with a father who is always drunk and a mother who is always out working trying to make ends meat, Chell has had to grow up and fast. So instead of hanging out with friends and going to parties Chell is the one to clean the house everyday from her father's drunken antics and wash the family clothes on weekends just so her mother can get a some rest. So when the new junior, Troy walks into Chell's life she instantly finds solace from all that has been brought up to torment her.
"He looked up only once and, by the smirk on his wide full lips, i knew id been caught staring. It didn't really matter. i'd fallen instantly and obsessively in love, but not the kind of teenage drama crap you might expect. No, this was the real soul-wrenching kind of love. I'd never be the same again"
Troy not realising his mistake befriends Chell and invites her to hang out with him to meet his new friends not realising she is somehow hopelessly "in love" with him. I find the relationship between the two to be an unusual one, the signs are quite heavy between the two of them leaving Chell to be left ultimately distraught when Troy starts dating the beautiful, alternative Xiu.
In the end it is Troy's selfish actions that tip Chell over the edge even after she was told that it probably would not end too well... for her.
"Look I love the kid, but he's an ass. He's a seventeen-year-old boy- he has no choice but to be an ass..."
From the get go Chell has been taken advantage of and not just by her parent's but by someone who she should feel she would be safe with and this is where the story gets a bit sore. Sometimes we forget that Chell is just a thirteen year old girl, how she acts and they way her parents seem to not worry about her whereabouts i would say this girl is living the life of someone who should be in college. So when we find out that her teacher, Mr Harris has been taking advantage of her we almost don't process that Mr Harris is in fact a pedophile.
I don't particular read books that have situations / acts of pedophillia but the way Parvarti writes the scenes and the way she portrays Chell as a character almost softens the blow.
What is most upsetting is when she is with Mr Harris the way she speaks to him and the way she feels that she is in control and has a choice in what she gives and receives should not be the mind of someone so young. Mr Harris and a brilliant manipulator and acts almost like he has a split personality filling the void of the father she most desperately needs and the lover she so desperately wants.
"Mr Harris ran his hand up and down his thighs, his breathing strained. Seeing him like that, holding back but almost in pain from what I did, thrilled me. I was important. I was wanted."
Chell's scars aren't only internal but also physical, we don't know how long for but we know that Chell self harms to escape the pain of life, sucoming to the nnumbness she feels when she see her blood drop to the floor tiles. Some people go through life neglecting, judging and even mocking situations like Chell's and are too afraid to intervene or help, putting up a wall so girls and boys like Chell feel like they can't ask for help, even when that help has finally been extended to them.
This book covers a lot of heartache and the ending left me in such a shock it will forever be stuck in my head. I give this book a rating of 5*. Be warned though this book is not for the lighthearted you will be left feeling like you've just been punched in the stomach.
COVER ART:
The cover art fits this book perfectly, with the warm tones of magenta and red we see the combination of the love, lust, anger, death just by the colour pallet. The model fits the bill brilliantly, the model is young and beautiful with big doe eyes which can tell a story. The cover almost feels quite grown up ad quite harsh until were thrown that little bit on innocence with the lollipop.
July 26, 2013
This was the second book this past month that left me with a WTF feeling. This is an excellent book and one that opened my eyes in ways I didn't think was possible.
Over the past several months I have been struggling with my emotions. Dealing with my granddaughter's death and the anxiety issues in our family has really taken a toll on me. Reading White chalk put me into the mind of a child that suffers a lot with what my child has dealt with because of her mental health issues. I cried like a little baby after reading this, the emotions were so strong and felt very valid to me. I saw my child in the main character and identified with her as a mother. It gave me the opportunity to see what happens from the inside instead of what happens from the mother's perspective.
This and other many reasons are why this book meant so much to me and why I will cherish it for a long time. Along with my child above, who is my youngest, I have two more beautiful daughters. My oldest, who is the mother of the child we all lost in March is 20. Then our middle child who is eighteen and is featured as a part of my blog, she is very talented and can be seen in the videos on the bottom left of this blog. Then there is my 15 year old daughter whom this speaks to me the loudest for. She has had and still has serious issues that began when she was outed as a child by a classmate. She has suffered through bullying and the chaos and loss in our lives. She has PTSD, severe anxiety, ADHD, and severe depression. She is also a cutter and will have the scars both emotionally and physically for that. I related as a mom in this book, because my child has had such a difficult time with her mental health.
This book let me in on some of the emotions and actions I know that she has gone through. I imagined that the main character was her and I felt for her like I would as a parent. It also let me see the world through her eyes, something I had never been able to do. As I write this my child is in a clinic getting treatment for her anxiety disorder. The sad part is that it is not always the other children that hurt our children when they have issues like this, it can be the grown ups as well.
I love the book and will probably read it again, when my emotions are not at my limit.
Thank you for writing this Pavarti.
Over the past several months I have been struggling with my emotions. Dealing with my granddaughter's death and the anxiety issues in our family has really taken a toll on me. Reading White chalk put me into the mind of a child that suffers a lot with what my child has dealt with because of her mental health issues. I cried like a little baby after reading this, the emotions were so strong and felt very valid to me. I saw my child in the main character and identified with her as a mother. It gave me the opportunity to see what happens from the inside instead of what happens from the mother's perspective.
This and other many reasons are why this book meant so much to me and why I will cherish it for a long time. Along with my child above, who is my youngest, I have two more beautiful daughters. My oldest, who is the mother of the child we all lost in March is 20. Then our middle child who is eighteen and is featured as a part of my blog, she is very talented and can be seen in the videos on the bottom left of this blog. Then there is my 15 year old daughter whom this speaks to me the loudest for. She has had and still has serious issues that began when she was outed as a child by a classmate. She has suffered through bullying and the chaos and loss in our lives. She has PTSD, severe anxiety, ADHD, and severe depression. She is also a cutter and will have the scars both emotionally and physically for that. I related as a mom in this book, because my child has had such a difficult time with her mental health.
This book let me in on some of the emotions and actions I know that she has gone through. I imagined that the main character was her and I felt for her like I would as a parent. It also let me see the world through her eyes, something I had never been able to do. As I write this my child is in a clinic getting treatment for her anxiety disorder. The sad part is that it is not always the other children that hurt our children when they have issues like this, it can be the grown ups as well.
I love the book and will probably read it again, when my emotions are not at my limit.
Thank you for writing this Pavarti.
August 15, 2013
*I was provided with a free copy of this book for the blog tour. Thank you!*
I finished this book a few weeks ago and I am still shocked. “White Chalk’ is one of those books that amaze you, but shock youas well. As a teenager myself, it was interesting to read about a troubled teenager and see, even if I don’t believe it, that I am normal.
Yes, this is a book about a 14 y/o teenager. So you could take it as a YA. Don’t get fooled! No puppies, lollipops, best friends or light-hearted subject here. This is a dark, intense book, about a depressed and troubled teenager that acts like a 25 y/o.
Chelle’s actions shocked me many times. But it also showed me, again, that life isn’t easy and that there are peole who just can’t live their lifes.
This book brought me to tears many times. In fact, I got so attached to Chelle that I felt everything she felt. I wanted to save her, I got angry with Troy an I wanted to knock Xiu down. So yes, “White Chalk” is an emotionally loaded story.
Paravrti K. Tyler has a lot of talnt for storytelling. The flow is steady, the writing style is beautiful with a trace of drama in it, and the language matches Chelle’s personality and situation, not her age. I really want to read Pavarti’s other work.
It’s really hard to describe “White Chalk”. I believe that this is the kind of book that needs to be read by everyone , because otherwise you can’t understand exactly how great this book is.
The action is fast-paced and the plot is well-thought. The plot twists made me turn the page even more eagerly.
I didn’t understand Troy. I mean, it was obvious that he, too, had a thing for Chelle. I couldn’t understand why he refused to be more than friends with her. I think he is a jerk.
The characters are really well portrated, too. They are realistic, liakble (some of them) and easy to connect with.
In a very realistic way, “White Chalk”will open you eyes and show you how hard life can be for a teenager. This is a book that I’ll never forget. People, get your hands on “White Chalk”! You won’t regret it!
Rate: 5 stars our of 5
I finished this book a few weeks ago and I am still shocked. “White Chalk’ is one of those books that amaze you, but shock youas well. As a teenager myself, it was interesting to read about a troubled teenager and see, even if I don’t believe it, that I am normal.
Yes, this is a book about a 14 y/o teenager. So you could take it as a YA. Don’t get fooled! No puppies, lollipops, best friends or light-hearted subject here. This is a dark, intense book, about a depressed and troubled teenager that acts like a 25 y/o.
Chelle’s actions shocked me many times. But it also showed me, again, that life isn’t easy and that there are peole who just can’t live their lifes.
This book brought me to tears many times. In fact, I got so attached to Chelle that I felt everything she felt. I wanted to save her, I got angry with Troy an I wanted to knock Xiu down. So yes, “White Chalk” is an emotionally loaded story.
Paravrti K. Tyler has a lot of talnt for storytelling. The flow is steady, the writing style is beautiful with a trace of drama in it, and the language matches Chelle’s personality and situation, not her age. I really want to read Pavarti’s other work.
It’s really hard to describe “White Chalk”. I believe that this is the kind of book that needs to be read by everyone , because otherwise you can’t understand exactly how great this book is.
The action is fast-paced and the plot is well-thought. The plot twists made me turn the page even more eagerly.
I didn’t understand Troy. I mean, it was obvious that he, too, had a thing for Chelle. I couldn’t understand why he refused to be more than friends with her. I think he is a jerk.
The characters are really well portrated, too. They are realistic, liakble (some of them) and easy to connect with.
In a very realistic way, “White Chalk”will open you eyes and show you how hard life can be for a teenager. This is a book that I’ll never forget. People, get your hands on “White Chalk”! You won’t regret it!
Rate: 5 stars our of 5
August 3, 2013
White Chalk by Pavarti K Tyler was a chilling and haunting story about a young teen-ager in far different circumstances than mine at that age. Chelle was a loner. Her mother was always working; her father was an alcoholic. Her pain was released by cutting. She wasn't close to anyone at school except her friend Morgan and even that friendship diminished with the arrival of Troy Christiansen. She was immediately drawn to him; they had enough in common to become best friends. As is usually the case a male and a female cannot keep it strictly platonic. One or the other feels more in the relationship than the other, and heartache results. Teen age angst, low self esteem and a feeling of being less than important to anyone contributes even more pain for our protagonist.
Ms Tyler's characters were so real and the plight of Chelle was heart breaking as she sought acceptance and love amongst her peers and the adults who influenced her decisions. Her many meetings with the vice principal at her school, left the reader feeling helpless and defeated....Her screams for help were unnoticed and unanswered, because she could not determine how to voice her real need. This is a heavy read, but the writing is smooth and flows smoothly. The story is so interesting and as the reader, I sought for Chelle's happy ever after ending that never came. The theme of the book is one that needs attention. I think every parent could benefit from reading this book if for no other reason than to be able to recognize some of the issues with teens and how to recognize when their kids may be in trouble. Yes, we get busy with our lives and we each have our own demons to deal with, but the fact that we provide in depth care for our newborns and toddlers should not end when they grow into adolescence. We need to be there for them just as much during those very difficult years. This book made me think and I do not think the heaviness will lift any too soon.
Ms Tyler's characters were so real and the plight of Chelle was heart breaking as she sought acceptance and love amongst her peers and the adults who influenced her decisions. Her many meetings with the vice principal at her school, left the reader feeling helpless and defeated....Her screams for help were unnoticed and unanswered, because she could not determine how to voice her real need. This is a heavy read, but the writing is smooth and flows smoothly. The story is so interesting and as the reader, I sought for Chelle's happy ever after ending that never came. The theme of the book is one that needs attention. I think every parent could benefit from reading this book if for no other reason than to be able to recognize some of the issues with teens and how to recognize when their kids may be in trouble. Yes, we get busy with our lives and we each have our own demons to deal with, but the fact that we provide in depth care for our newborns and toddlers should not end when they grow into adolescence. We need to be there for them just as much during those very difficult years. This book made me think and I do not think the heaviness will lift any too soon.
July 12, 2013
Meet Chelle, thirteen going on forty, and a hard-lived forty at that. Pavarti K. Tyler has created a story with a young protagonist that holds zero relationship to the life we would hope for any young teenaged girl. This is not a book that will leave you smiling, or that is an easy read: it will challenge you, bring you to tears and anger, and have you wanting to save Chelle from her situation and herself.
Beautifully crafted prose brings Chelle to fruition: but this is no simple free-form diary entry from a young girl, her depression, her need to be seen and unseen, her willingness to barter herself for those few moments of power in a world where she is powerless are as raw and complex as they are beautifully simple to understand. Desperation and depression are weights that weave through the story, grounding Chelle in her merry-go-round of ignoring and moving, if not always forward.
With a talent for storytelling that I have come to love, Tyler has done it again in this piece of transgressive fiction: a glimpse into a life of turmoil that feeds our thoughts with compassion and information, and perhaps changes an outlook or two. Emotionally loaded, this story will have you angry and teary in alternating pages, and while you can be thankful that Chelle is the product of a talented writer, you can’t help but realize that her story is not a singular one: others have lived or are living her life experiences as you read. This book is one of my top books of 2013, if not my absolute favorite for its characters, style, storyline and impact.
I received an eArc copy from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Beautifully crafted prose brings Chelle to fruition: but this is no simple free-form diary entry from a young girl, her depression, her need to be seen and unseen, her willingness to barter herself for those few moments of power in a world where she is powerless are as raw and complex as they are beautifully simple to understand. Desperation and depression are weights that weave through the story, grounding Chelle in her merry-go-round of ignoring and moving, if not always forward.
With a talent for storytelling that I have come to love, Tyler has done it again in this piece of transgressive fiction: a glimpse into a life of turmoil that feeds our thoughts with compassion and information, and perhaps changes an outlook or two. Emotionally loaded, this story will have you angry and teary in alternating pages, and while you can be thankful that Chelle is the product of a talented writer, you can’t help but realize that her story is not a singular one: others have lived or are living her life experiences as you read. This book is one of my top books of 2013, if not my absolute favorite for its characters, style, storyline and impact.
I received an eArc copy from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
August 10, 2013
Wow! this book left me absolutely speechless! I felt so bad for Chelle time and time again as her life got more and more depressing! it made me cry out for all the innocent children in the world who go through these things every day. Pavarti did a wonderful job at bringing it all out and hitting us all in the head with a big dose of reality.
Chelle is memorised the fist time she laid eyes on Troy. He is gorgeous, deep, and everything Chelle could ever want, and when he looks her way she is sure her world will never be the same again. She has never been like the other kids, going to movies, bullying other kids or gossiping about their latest crushes. Her father is a drunk and her mother couldn't be bothered with her existence unless it is to do the chores. One look from Troy makes all that bearable, but Chelle knows its not ever possible for him to love someone as damaged as her.
As Chelle try's to navigate her spiralling life, she secretly pleads with someone to save her from herself, from her life and from the fate that is rapidly catching up with her. Can she out run it? Or will fate make Chelle its plaything?
Chelle was defiantly the star of this book! I loved her to pieces and I wanted to reach in the book and comfort her time and time again. This is defiantly not a book for the faint hearted! it is extremely sexual in nature, violent and not surprisingly has a lot of foul language...lol
I had a little prob with the ending, I thought it could have ended differently but still thought it was a great book.
Pavarti is an incredible writer and I don't know how she got through writing this without crying all the time! I wanted to cry through the whole thing! (I have 4 kids) I can never imagine having stuff like this happen to my girls!
Chelle is memorised the fist time she laid eyes on Troy. He is gorgeous, deep, and everything Chelle could ever want, and when he looks her way she is sure her world will never be the same again. She has never been like the other kids, going to movies, bullying other kids or gossiping about their latest crushes. Her father is a drunk and her mother couldn't be bothered with her existence unless it is to do the chores. One look from Troy makes all that bearable, but Chelle knows its not ever possible for him to love someone as damaged as her.
As Chelle try's to navigate her spiralling life, she secretly pleads with someone to save her from herself, from her life and from the fate that is rapidly catching up with her. Can she out run it? Or will fate make Chelle its plaything?
Chelle was defiantly the star of this book! I loved her to pieces and I wanted to reach in the book and comfort her time and time again. This is defiantly not a book for the faint hearted! it is extremely sexual in nature, violent and not surprisingly has a lot of foul language...lol
I had a little prob with the ending, I thought it could have ended differently but still thought it was a great book.
Pavarti is an incredible writer and I don't know how she got through writing this without crying all the time! I wanted to cry through the whole thing! (I have 4 kids) I can never imagine having stuff like this happen to my girls!
September 12, 2013
This intense novel touches on several issues that a growing number of teenagers face in modern society. White Chalk is not suitable for everyone, but those who can handle its gritty themes will be rewarded with an unforgettable story that can inspire people to change the world (seriously). As the story progresses, the harsh impacts of family discord are unravelled in a gripping way that leaves readers cheering whole-heartedly for the young protagonist (Chelley) as she struggles to find a place for herself in a world that she does not belong in. It is easy to feel compassion for Chelley and the novel's shocking ending can inspire readers to make the world a better place so that fewer youth will experience a life similiar to Chelley's. Although White Chalk is a work of fiction, the events that take place reflect the harsh reality of modern society and I applaud the author for taking the bold step of addressing subjects that many people refuse to discuss. Overall, White Chalk is an insightful and well-written novel that raises awareness about important issues in real life.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads but this has not influenced my review in any way.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads but this has not influenced my review in any way.
August 5, 2013
Michelle Whitney is a 14 years old kid with a difficult life. Her father is alcoholic, her mother is working too much and never has time for her, at school she is being called names, but she has 2 friends – Morgan and Sebastian – who suddenly, with no reeason at all, stop talking to her. The only good thing in her life is Troy Christiansen, an older mate from school, who treats her very nice, but has a girlfriend.
In a world where nobody wants her, Chelle has an affair with her middle age, history teacher, who makes her feel wanted. He is some kind of substitute for both of her father and Troy, but even she knows that’s an unhealthy relationship.
There’s also Cat, a 20 years old friend who listens to Chelle anytime, without judging her, but is that enough for the teenager? Will she manage to obtain the love of Troy? What will she do when the police will find out about her and the history teacher escapades? How is she escaping reality and the pain it brings to her?
Would I read the book ever again?
Probably I will, but not too soon, because I still feel it’s impact, and I won’t forget it anytime soon. Somehow I was expecting to this ending of the book, but I wished it had a different end, still real, but less probable. Yet, I liked the doze of reality I read in this book. There are so many teenagers living almost like Chelle or even worse, that this book manages to make us pay more attention to those arround us.
In a world where nobody wants her, Chelle has an affair with her middle age, history teacher, who makes her feel wanted. He is some kind of substitute for both of her father and Troy, but even she knows that’s an unhealthy relationship.
There’s also Cat, a 20 years old friend who listens to Chelle anytime, without judging her, but is that enough for the teenager? Will she manage to obtain the love of Troy? What will she do when the police will find out about her and the history teacher escapades? How is she escaping reality and the pain it brings to her?
Would I read the book ever again?
Probably I will, but not too soon, because I still feel it’s impact, and I won’t forget it anytime soon. Somehow I was expecting to this ending of the book, but I wished it had a different end, still real, but less probable. Yet, I liked the doze of reality I read in this book. There are so many teenagers living almost like Chelle or even worse, that this book manages to make us pay more attention to those arround us.
November 14, 2014
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, it was hard for me to put into words what I thought of this book. I can normally come up with my thoughts within an hour after finishing the book. I finished it 36 hours ago, and it's still difficult. This is not as easy book to read. I had to shut it many times. One page took me two hours to read. Not because it is bad, because it is an exceptional book. It was the content. There are things in this book that I wish I was warned about before starting. I figured it out pretty quickly - puked within the first 10% of the story. And again a little more than halfway into it.
I was drawn to the main character, Chelle, for a number of reasons. Not all of which I feel comfortable listing in a public review. She felt so real, and my heart ached for her as I read this story. I have seen similar things happen, and that is one big reason why I applaud this book.
Abuse is real. It happens every day, all over the world. Whether it is bullying, neglect, sexual, or otherwise - it is happening everywhere around you. And to all sorts of people. Closing your eyes and ignoring it won't make it go away. White Chalk took things many people are overlooking, and showed the consequences.
I do highly recommend this book, but with a warning. The content it rough and it will hurt.
5/5 Platypires
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/w...
First of all, it was hard for me to put into words what I thought of this book. I can normally come up with my thoughts within an hour after finishing the book. I finished it 36 hours ago, and it's still difficult. This is not as easy book to read. I had to shut it many times. One page took me two hours to read. Not because it is bad, because it is an exceptional book. It was the content. There are things in this book that I wish I was warned about before starting. I figured it out pretty quickly - puked within the first 10% of the story. And again a little more than halfway into it.
I was drawn to the main character, Chelle, for a number of reasons. Not all of which I feel comfortable listing in a public review. She felt so real, and my heart ached for her as I read this story. I have seen similar things happen, and that is one big reason why I applaud this book.
Abuse is real. It happens every day, all over the world. Whether it is bullying, neglect, sexual, or otherwise - it is happening everywhere around you. And to all sorts of people. Closing your eyes and ignoring it won't make it go away. White Chalk took things many people are overlooking, and showed the consequences.
I do highly recommend this book, but with a warning. The content it rough and it will hurt.
5/5 Platypires
http://www.platypire.com/j-hooligan/w...
June 29, 2013
Wow! Pavarti K. Tyler really knows how to capture the true essence of a young girl's life struggles through her writing! The characters were brought to life by their brilliant descriptions. While I absolutely loved this book, I came to loathe one character in particular and despise another. Tyler certainly has a way with making you forget, even if only for a second, how much you detest them. To me, that is a work of art. This book almost felt like a behind-the-scenes look at Chelle's life. So many dark and difficult topics are discussed. If you ever knew somebody close to you that dealt with even one of these struggles then it feels like a bit of insight for what they went through. It's quite heartbreaking. What happened at the end was not what I was expecting, but then again, Tyler doesn't seem to conform with how a story is supposed to end, and that's what will make this story stand above and apart from so many others. What a fantastic read this was even though I cried my eyes out. I highly recommend this to every adult that wants to feel raw emotion that this book is sure to inflict.
July 24, 2013
Chelle is a thirteen-year-old from a severely dysfunctional family. Her home life makes being bullied at school almost preferable. She has no hope, and in her own mind, no future.
She gets a shot of hope when Troy comes into her life. He’s the first boy to really show her kindnesses she hadn’t had before. Unfortunately, Troy is older, and unbeknownst to Chelle, is not interested in her in a romantic way.
The chaos in Chelle’s life ramps up when she discovers that Troy has a girlfriend. Her shaky emotional hold on life causes her to do many things that she wouldn’t have otherwise. But, as the book moves forward, we discover that her emotional instability has deeper roots that have been growing for much longer than we, the reader, anticipate.
Don’t be fooled. This is not a light and puppy-dogs type of YA story. Full of grit and sadness, this is not a tale for the lighthearted.
That being said, I did find that some tropes in the story were a little cliche. One specific line concerning rape offended me, and may offend others. I’ll not state it here.
The book is well-written by a very talented writer.
She gets a shot of hope when Troy comes into her life. He’s the first boy to really show her kindnesses she hadn’t had before. Unfortunately, Troy is older, and unbeknownst to Chelle, is not interested in her in a romantic way.
The chaos in Chelle’s life ramps up when she discovers that Troy has a girlfriend. Her shaky emotional hold on life causes her to do many things that she wouldn’t have otherwise. But, as the book moves forward, we discover that her emotional instability has deeper roots that have been growing for much longer than we, the reader, anticipate.
Don’t be fooled. This is not a light and puppy-dogs type of YA story. Full of grit and sadness, this is not a tale for the lighthearted.
That being said, I did find that some tropes in the story were a little cliche. One specific line concerning rape offended me, and may offend others. I’ll not state it here.
The book is well-written by a very talented writer.
July 10, 2013
A fantastic book! If you are looking for distraction/entertainment/diversion ... this book is not for you. If, however, you want an engrossing read that doesn't demand a happy ending and are open to a lot of hard realism .... go for it. A powerful story that will make you think about things a little. I was particularly moved by the auhtor's offering of information on various helping agencies at the end of the book. This author is clearly asking us to see more than we generally would like to. A totally believable read and well told. The main character leaps right off the page and into your life, it will take you a while to forget her - if you even can. I won't say more, as I really do not want to write any spoilers here. I was given this book free for review, but would not hesitate to go out and buy this book! I intend to read more by Parvati K. Tyler. I read this book in one sitting - I quite literally could not put it down.
July 24, 2013
Words cannot describe how I feel about White Chalk. The emotions seem so real at times that you forget you aren't reading about someone you actually know. The story line is fantastic and emotionally overwhelming at times. Chelle is the kind of character authors can only dream of writing about. Tyler has an amazing talent.
August 5, 2013
I was a little scared to read this book after all the reviews and the description. But, I'm glad I did. Pav's writing as always has a haunting and poetic quality. I wanted to reach through the pages and save her myself. And even though I prefer happy endings, this one felt inevitable and I respect that.
August 6, 2013
The story will probably turn into a classic. It is a very well written book about a young girl that is a mess. As I watched every event happen I wanted to yell at her or stop reading. Instead like all horror stories we watch even if we don't like the outcome.
January 28, 2022
AIBA Book of the Day: 28 January, 2022: 035/41640
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include WHITE CHALK by PAVARTI K TYLER in the library of Awesome Indies' Badge of Approval recipients.
March 30, 2017
White Chalk is a gripping novel about a girl in her early teens and how she negotiates her fractured relationships. The novel is not for the faint hearted: the young protagonist has an abusive home life, and also falls prey to the sexual advances of her schoolteacher. It is a nuanced exploration of the life of a teenager when things go wrong, and it is written with bravery and a subtlety that not all writers are capable of.
The novel explores the quiet horror of Chelle’s home life, the faux nonchalance of a child unable to focus on school and who self-harms, how teens can be manipulated but manipulate too, how vulnerable they are and how strong, how adventurous but still in need of protection. I found the teacher/pupil scenes were hard to read. I wanted to turn away from the ugliness of it, the crushed innocence, but that is precisely the point. There is no white-washing paedophilia, the betrayal of the teacher's profession. The author hit the emotional beats perfectly: the sexualised innocence of it all on one hand; the depravity on the other.
P.K. Tyler has written this story in the first person, and it’s a clever choice. The result is immersion in Chelle’s point of view. She can’t escape the immediacy of her problems, and neither can the reader. White Chalk has a stellar cast of characters and it is not without hope. Any number of allies come into Chelle’s life and she has some moments of real friendship, but these individuals are all as flawed as she is. As we all are. It is a brave novel of finely-tuned balance on a difficult, ambitious theme. I found it to be full of truth and like all the best novels, it will stay with me.
The novel explores the quiet horror of Chelle’s home life, the faux nonchalance of a child unable to focus on school and who self-harms, how teens can be manipulated but manipulate too, how vulnerable they are and how strong, how adventurous but still in need of protection. I found the teacher/pupil scenes were hard to read. I wanted to turn away from the ugliness of it, the crushed innocence, but that is precisely the point. There is no white-washing paedophilia, the betrayal of the teacher's profession. The author hit the emotional beats perfectly: the sexualised innocence of it all on one hand; the depravity on the other.
P.K. Tyler has written this story in the first person, and it’s a clever choice. The result is immersion in Chelle’s point of view. She can’t escape the immediacy of her problems, and neither can the reader. White Chalk has a stellar cast of characters and it is not without hope. Any number of allies come into Chelle’s life and she has some moments of real friendship, but these individuals are all as flawed as she is. As we all are. It is a brave novel of finely-tuned balance on a difficult, ambitious theme. I found it to be full of truth and like all the best novels, it will stay with me.
July 21, 2017
I couldn't put it down. I would not say it's appropriate for most kids that are the protagonist's age though.
April 23, 2014
Disclaimer: Received from publisher for review.
This book is...difficult to review. Instead of my usual thoughts-flowing review, I'm going to comment on different aspects of this book.
First and foremost: plot
As the reviews and synopsis reveal, this is an adult book. It goes include graphic/erotica-type sex scenes. I am not really into that genre, and I don't usually like to read books about the abuse or sexual assault of children. But, this book softened the blow some. It didn't describe things in that way that makes me feel nauseous for days after reading it/can't finish it. I felt for Chelle, even related to her at times, feeling like I'd experienced some of what she did (like being in love with an oblivious friend, some of the self-destructive behavior, etc). I liked all Chelle's friendships, though at times I wanted to shake her and tell her to appreciate the good things in her life.
Characters: I loved some of the supporting characters--actually, most of them. Except Mr. Harris, who was a total lech. Cat was awesome, Xiu, Troy (their friendship was the best thing about this book--I wish Chelle had been able to see him as he saw her, because he really did care for her and was a good friend to her). Sure, her parents were shamefully awful, but the people around her seemed to really care for her--even the one-night-stand guy was totally decent and I wished she'd reached out to him instead of pedo Harris.
Writing: This book is proof that a book doesn't have to be perfectly edited and error free to be enjoyable. I must have found a few dozen missing punctuation marks, but I hardly noticed. They didn't effect my reading experience, because I was drawn in enough that they didn't jar me out of the story. Who cares about commas--I wanted to know what happened next!
Tyler is truly gifted with words. All the scenes where Chelle finds relief in cigarettes were awesome. Also, just loved how she poked fun at the instalove we see everywhere. Chelle falls in love the moment she sees Troy, but it's so cliche and obviously mocking the idea that it was comical. And where she describes how his hunched, narrow shoulders are so sexy, it totally cracked me up. And rings true--if you have a crush on someone (or are in soul-crushing love) even his scrawny concave chest is hot. And Mr. Harris was obviously a fat gross old man, but she described it in such a way that it seemed completely normal to her, which made his ick-factor only skyrocket. Beyond all that, her descriptions of Chelle's inner life drew me in and made me believe the melodrama of her mind, the end-of-the-world pain she felt even in her eye-rolling teenage drama moments. I remember how that felt, when every pain was magnified, every snub excruciating.
I also loved Chelle's casual brutality. She'd be going on in her emo voice of depression, and suddenly she'd say something like "I wished I could kill her and leave her body in a ditch" or "It sucked so bad I wanted to shoot myself in the face." (not exact quotes) I had a friend who talked EXACTLY like that when I was in college, so it kind of cracked me up and made it ring true.
Overall: Tyler is absolutely a brilliant writer. This wasn't a quick read for me, but I never lost interest, even when I couldn't get to the book for a few days at a time. An engrossing, disturbing read that managed the perfect blend of darkness and comedy.
Content warning: explicit sex scenes, including those between a 14-year-old and an adult. Every objectionable word possible. Self-harm and violence of adults towards each other and children.
This book is...difficult to review. Instead of my usual thoughts-flowing review, I'm going to comment on different aspects of this book.
First and foremost: plot
As the reviews and synopsis reveal, this is an adult book. It goes include graphic/erotica-type sex scenes. I am not really into that genre, and I don't usually like to read books about the abuse or sexual assault of children. But, this book softened the blow some. It didn't describe things in that way that makes me feel nauseous for days after reading it/can't finish it. I felt for Chelle, even related to her at times, feeling like I'd experienced some of what she did (like being in love with an oblivious friend, some of the self-destructive behavior, etc). I liked all Chelle's friendships, though at times I wanted to shake her and tell her to appreciate the good things in her life.
Characters: I loved some of the supporting characters--actually, most of them. Except Mr. Harris, who was a total lech. Cat was awesome, Xiu, Troy (their friendship was the best thing about this book--I wish Chelle had been able to see him as he saw her, because he really did care for her and was a good friend to her). Sure, her parents were shamefully awful, but the people around her seemed to really care for her--even the one-night-stand guy was totally decent and I wished she'd reached out to him instead of pedo Harris.
Writing: This book is proof that a book doesn't have to be perfectly edited and error free to be enjoyable. I must have found a few dozen missing punctuation marks, but I hardly noticed. They didn't effect my reading experience, because I was drawn in enough that they didn't jar me out of the story. Who cares about commas--I wanted to know what happened next!
Tyler is truly gifted with words. All the scenes where Chelle finds relief in cigarettes were awesome. Also, just loved how she poked fun at the instalove we see everywhere. Chelle falls in love the moment she sees Troy, but it's so cliche and obviously mocking the idea that it was comical. And where she describes how his hunched, narrow shoulders are so sexy, it totally cracked me up. And rings true--if you have a crush on someone (or are in soul-crushing love) even his scrawny concave chest is hot. And Mr. Harris was obviously a fat gross old man, but she described it in such a way that it seemed completely normal to her, which made his ick-factor only skyrocket. Beyond all that, her descriptions of Chelle's inner life drew me in and made me believe the melodrama of her mind, the end-of-the-world pain she felt even in her eye-rolling teenage drama moments. I remember how that felt, when every pain was magnified, every snub excruciating.
I also loved Chelle's casual brutality. She'd be going on in her emo voice of depression, and suddenly she'd say something like "I wished I could kill her and leave her body in a ditch" or "It sucked so bad I wanted to shoot myself in the face." (not exact quotes) I had a friend who talked EXACTLY like that when I was in college, so it kind of cracked me up and made it ring true.
Overall: Tyler is absolutely a brilliant writer. This wasn't a quick read for me, but I never lost interest, even when I couldn't get to the book for a few days at a time. An engrossing, disturbing read that managed the perfect blend of darkness and comedy.
Content warning: explicit sex scenes, including those between a 14-year-old and an adult. Every objectionable word possible. Self-harm and violence of adults towards each other and children.
July 31, 2013
White Chalk by Pavarti K. Tyler is an extremely raw and gritty psychological coming-of-age story and is recommended for adult readers, at least 17yrs and over.
White Chalk delves heavily into the life of a young teenage girl, Chelle, who feels like she doesn’t belong to any particular group of people. Her parents mostly ignore her, as her father drinks himself silly while her mother works stupendously to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Chelle is left mostly to carry out the more mundane aspects of life with the housework and laundry instead of having fun and enjoying her young life. Chelle is lost and alone, with very little self-esteem and, as you can imagine at the age of thirteen, she is sensitive and needy. A desperate soul is one way to describe this thirteen year old girl.
Chelle’s life has a glimmer of hope when she notices newcomer Troy Christiansen at her high school. Will Troy be the answer she is looking for? Can he be her Mr. Right and save her from her mundane life? Or is she pinning all of her hopes on one person?
As an adult reader this novel truly takes you back to the harsh reality of how it once felt at times to be a teenager, constantly feeling unsure of where you belong, searching for your own identity and confidence as well as hoping for Mr. Right to turn up.
White Chalk is certainly a very dark side of teenagehood. Chelle is at the point in her life where she longs to be needed and wanted both physically and emotionally and, because of these reasons, there are moments when the reader feels that she would give herself freely to anyone that wanted her – with the exception of Sebastian who appears to be a nice lad who is genuinely interested in her!
As Chelle’s life has been spiralling downward for a while, it isn’t too much of a surprise when the reader is made aware of her regular extra-curricular activities with Mr. Harris! I am no expert by all means, however I believe that due to the lack of attention her parents provide as well as not ‘fitting in’ at school, it is the desperation of wanting to be wanted, someone to pay attention and treat her with some form of affection that leads Chelle down this dark and seedy path. Of course at her young age she feels that at least someone wants her. This novel is certainly not for the faint hearted or for anyone looking for too much fun. However, the drama and psychological element of White Chalk pulls you in to where Chelle is at and you cannot ignore her. You have to keep on reading!!
Developing gradually throughout the story, Chelle finds friendship in Cat. Cat is older than Chelle, has her own apartment and works in a music store. Cat certainly grows on the reader as she looks out for Chelle and becomes the only person that Chelle can confide in. She does provide comfort and support for Chelle and despite the initial reaction to Cat she really is a likeable character.
White Chalk has a dark and twisting path from beginning to end and is certainly a novel you will not forget in a hurry. It hangs over you, gripping you, without any solution as to how to help Chelle – apart from hoping that Troy will pull through for her. He notices Chelle, he takes care of her and throughout the novel the reader begins to pin all of their hopes in him too!
A copy of White Chalk was provided by Amina Black (blog tour host) for the purpose of an honest and fair review.
White Chalk delves heavily into the life of a young teenage girl, Chelle, who feels like she doesn’t belong to any particular group of people. Her parents mostly ignore her, as her father drinks himself silly while her mother works stupendously to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Chelle is left mostly to carry out the more mundane aspects of life with the housework and laundry instead of having fun and enjoying her young life. Chelle is lost and alone, with very little self-esteem and, as you can imagine at the age of thirteen, she is sensitive and needy. A desperate soul is one way to describe this thirteen year old girl.
Chelle’s life has a glimmer of hope when she notices newcomer Troy Christiansen at her high school. Will Troy be the answer she is looking for? Can he be her Mr. Right and save her from her mundane life? Or is she pinning all of her hopes on one person?
As an adult reader this novel truly takes you back to the harsh reality of how it once felt at times to be a teenager, constantly feeling unsure of where you belong, searching for your own identity and confidence as well as hoping for Mr. Right to turn up.
White Chalk is certainly a very dark side of teenagehood. Chelle is at the point in her life where she longs to be needed and wanted both physically and emotionally and, because of these reasons, there are moments when the reader feels that she would give herself freely to anyone that wanted her – with the exception of Sebastian who appears to be a nice lad who is genuinely interested in her!
As Chelle’s life has been spiralling downward for a while, it isn’t too much of a surprise when the reader is made aware of her regular extra-curricular activities with Mr. Harris! I am no expert by all means, however I believe that due to the lack of attention her parents provide as well as not ‘fitting in’ at school, it is the desperation of wanting to be wanted, someone to pay attention and treat her with some form of affection that leads Chelle down this dark and seedy path. Of course at her young age she feels that at least someone wants her. This novel is certainly not for the faint hearted or for anyone looking for too much fun. However, the drama and psychological element of White Chalk pulls you in to where Chelle is at and you cannot ignore her. You have to keep on reading!!
Developing gradually throughout the story, Chelle finds friendship in Cat. Cat is older than Chelle, has her own apartment and works in a music store. Cat certainly grows on the reader as she looks out for Chelle and becomes the only person that Chelle can confide in. She does provide comfort and support for Chelle and despite the initial reaction to Cat she really is a likeable character.
White Chalk has a dark and twisting path from beginning to end and is certainly a novel you will not forget in a hurry. It hangs over you, gripping you, without any solution as to how to help Chelle – apart from hoping that Troy will pull through for her. He notices Chelle, he takes care of her and throughout the novel the reader begins to pin all of their hopes in him too!
A copy of White Chalk was provided by Amina Black (blog tour host) for the purpose of an honest and fair review.
October 24, 2013
The first thoughts that came into my mind after reading White Chalk by Pavarti Tyler were 'Oh my God,' followed by 'Oh. My. God.' This book is amazing. It would consider it among the books you simply must read. It is raw and it deals with some very deep and disturbing subjects that can be shocking, but that honestly happen far more often than we assume they do.
This book was a difficult read, it is fascinating and interesting, but it takes you inside the world of Chelle, who is a cutter and through what she goes through, makes you understand why some people cut. It also makes you think really deeply about the world teens live in, and at the beginning of the story Chelle barely qualifies as a teen but has already, sadly, seen more of life than any teen should have to. It is the story of the slow, systematic destruction of a human soul and the pain contained in its pages is overwhelming at times. I still have tears in my eyes.
This book is not easy to read. It deals with alcoholism, partying, suicide, molestation and cutting, but if you are the parent of a cutter, read it! It really makes you see the pain cutters are in and having raised a cutter, it brought home to me just how deep the pain of a cutter really must be, something I had never understood before. How badly someone must hurt before they view the pain of their wounds as a release. A cleansing of sorts that helps mute the internal pain they are going through. I wish Tyler's book would have been out fifteen years ago, because I would have understood what cutting meant so much better than I did then. While it is fiction, it is so realistic that you ache for Chelle who is all alone. She lives with an alcoholic father and a mom who is regularly abused, who works all the time, and who when she is home, tries to remain invisible for fear of her father's wrath. She has no real friends and the first time she stays out all night no one even bats the proverbial eye, even though she is only thirteen.
This is a book I cannot recommend highly enough and if I had the ability to I would put it on every parent and teens bookshelf. Parents so they would understand and hopefully know cutting really is serious, it is not just some phase a kid goes through or a way to get attention; and teens so they would know they are not alone. It is so much more than just a good piece of fiction.
This book was a difficult read, it is fascinating and interesting, but it takes you inside the world of Chelle, who is a cutter and through what she goes through, makes you understand why some people cut. It also makes you think really deeply about the world teens live in, and at the beginning of the story Chelle barely qualifies as a teen but has already, sadly, seen more of life than any teen should have to. It is the story of the slow, systematic destruction of a human soul and the pain contained in its pages is overwhelming at times. I still have tears in my eyes.
This book is not easy to read. It deals with alcoholism, partying, suicide, molestation and cutting, but if you are the parent of a cutter, read it! It really makes you see the pain cutters are in and having raised a cutter, it brought home to me just how deep the pain of a cutter really must be, something I had never understood before. How badly someone must hurt before they view the pain of their wounds as a release. A cleansing of sorts that helps mute the internal pain they are going through. I wish Tyler's book would have been out fifteen years ago, because I would have understood what cutting meant so much better than I did then. While it is fiction, it is so realistic that you ache for Chelle who is all alone. She lives with an alcoholic father and a mom who is regularly abused, who works all the time, and who when she is home, tries to remain invisible for fear of her father's wrath. She has no real friends and the first time she stays out all night no one even bats the proverbial eye, even though she is only thirteen.
This is a book I cannot recommend highly enough and if I had the ability to I would put it on every parent and teens bookshelf. Parents so they would understand and hopefully know cutting really is serious, it is not just some phase a kid goes through or a way to get attention; and teens so they would know they are not alone. It is so much more than just a good piece of fiction.
November 3, 2014
I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review (thank you)
White Chalk by Pavarti K. Tyler is a deep, heavy book. It took a lot out of me and will stay with me forever. It is one of those books that is completely gut wrenching. It pulls every emotion from you, and tears out your heart! I didn't just cry, I ugly cried! Tyler takes you such an emotional ride right along with Chelle.
Tyler's character's have so many layers, but her main character Chelle gets the shining star. Chelle is a 13 year old girl with issues to say the very least. She isn't like other 13 year old girls, she can't allow herself to be that free to feel. Chelle was forced to grow up way too fast. My heart went out to her, her self image really bothered at first. Until her story evolved, I just couldn't understand anyone in those early teen years that down on themselves. Then as Tyler starts to unravel Chelle complicated life, you truly see why and how anyone in her situation would be the same way, if not even worst. Chelle seeks attention anywhere she can find it.. (Isn't this the case in a lot of our young women these days? This book gave me the desire to do something to encourage our young teenage girls. Give them confidence. I think I'm going to have to research on a way to help.)
Not everyone out there in our world gets tucked in at night, kissed on the check, and mom tells them sweet dreams. It's just a hard fact that in a lot of cases that is just a fairytale to kids, boys or girls. Tyler does a splendid job of letting us see the ugly side of things. Not everything out there (in real life) is all rich guys, fast cars and roses, so why should books be any different. This is more true life than we want to admit. Just because it isn't happening in your own family doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Tyler should be applauded, she had the guts to write about something out of the norm. Not what's popular right now in books. This isn't what the masses are saying oooh I gotta read! But let me tell you my friend right now, this is a book you should read. Tyler in my opinion deserves an award! You did an awesome job Pavarti Tyler, this book should be on EVERYONE'S TBR list!
I give White Chalk by Pavarti K. Tyler 5 Platypires
Bama Love! Roll Tide!! and Keep Reading Y'all
White Chalk by Pavarti K. Tyler is a deep, heavy book. It took a lot out of me and will stay with me forever. It is one of those books that is completely gut wrenching. It pulls every emotion from you, and tears out your heart! I didn't just cry, I ugly cried! Tyler takes you such an emotional ride right along with Chelle.
Tyler's character's have so many layers, but her main character Chelle gets the shining star. Chelle is a 13 year old girl with issues to say the very least. She isn't like other 13 year old girls, she can't allow herself to be that free to feel. Chelle was forced to grow up way too fast. My heart went out to her, her self image really bothered at first. Until her story evolved, I just couldn't understand anyone in those early teen years that down on themselves. Then as Tyler starts to unravel Chelle complicated life, you truly see why and how anyone in her situation would be the same way, if not even worst. Chelle seeks attention anywhere she can find it.. (Isn't this the case in a lot of our young women these days? This book gave me the desire to do something to encourage our young teenage girls. Give them confidence. I think I'm going to have to research on a way to help.)
Not everyone out there in our world gets tucked in at night, kissed on the check, and mom tells them sweet dreams. It's just a hard fact that in a lot of cases that is just a fairytale to kids, boys or girls. Tyler does a splendid job of letting us see the ugly side of things. Not everything out there (in real life) is all rich guys, fast cars and roses, so why should books be any different. This is more true life than we want to admit. Just because it isn't happening in your own family doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Tyler should be applauded, she had the guts to write about something out of the norm. Not what's popular right now in books. This isn't what the masses are saying oooh I gotta read! But let me tell you my friend right now, this is a book you should read. Tyler in my opinion deserves an award! You did an awesome job Pavarti Tyler, this book should be on EVERYONE'S TBR list!
I give White Chalk by Pavarti K. Tyler 5 Platypires
Bama Love! Roll Tide!! and Keep Reading Y'all
November 30, 2013
Chelle suffers through a life where she feels no one cares about her, and she doesn't feel that way without basis. At fourteen, one of the most difficult years of many people's lives, she endures poverty and an abysmal family life. Chelle's mother struggles to support her and her father without any time or heart left for her sensitive daughter. Her father wallows in the throes of alcoholism and when he is home, everyone avoids his fury and humiliation. To cope with all the pain, Chelle turns to an illicit relationship with a teacher, the only one who seems to care, and her self-harm rituals that punish her body to revive her heart. Hope dawns in Chelle's life when the hot, edgy new boy takes an interest in her. But what is left for her when every hope she has turns to dust?
Pavarti has written a beautiful, horrible, gut-wrenching tale of grim reality. Truthfully, I never understood the mindset of someone who harmed themself or how they could possibly find solace in it. I understand now. In brilliant, vivid detail, Pavarti shows us how Chelle's life crushes her delicate heart and drives her to cut and burn her body to take control of something. Though the character may be fictional, I know her story is real to many. This felt like someone's biography. I cried.
Each character felt like someone real, struggling with their perspective, dreams, and disappointments. No character took the role of villain in this understanding perspective, though many committed crimes. Chelle seemed propelled through life, reacting and acting on her external stimuli without any real understanding, like a child does. Truly this story broke my heart and reaffirmed my determination to be the annoying, uncool, pestering parent I should. I know that if I should encounter a person who has gone through or is going through self-harm, I will be better equipped to reach out to them. Bravo, Pavarti!
I approve this title for Awesome Indies. http://awesomeindies.net
I received this book from the author for the purposes of an unbiased review.
Pavarti has written a beautiful, horrible, gut-wrenching tale of grim reality. Truthfully, I never understood the mindset of someone who harmed themself or how they could possibly find solace in it. I understand now. In brilliant, vivid detail, Pavarti shows us how Chelle's life crushes her delicate heart and drives her to cut and burn her body to take control of something. Though the character may be fictional, I know her story is real to many. This felt like someone's biography. I cried.
Each character felt like someone real, struggling with their perspective, dreams, and disappointments. No character took the role of villain in this understanding perspective, though many committed crimes. Chelle seemed propelled through life, reacting and acting on her external stimuli without any real understanding, like a child does. Truly this story broke my heart and reaffirmed my determination to be the annoying, uncool, pestering parent I should. I know that if I should encounter a person who has gone through or is going through self-harm, I will be better equipped to reach out to them. Bravo, Pavarti!
I approve this title for Awesome Indies. http://awesomeindies.net
I received this book from the author for the purposes of an unbiased review.
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