Growing Up Between Stops on the A-train

by Jennifer Y. Johnson-Garcia

A spellbinding memoir about a chronically ill young woman who takes matters into her own hands, leaving her small town in Colorado and becoming a hit songwriter in New York City.

Jennifer Johnson is blessed with a beautiful singing voice but cursed with type 1 diabetes and stepparents who are dead-set on making her life miserable. By seventeen, Jennifer leaves home and supports herself through her senior year of high school, graduating on-time with her class. But she has much more to prove. Determined, Jennifer kisses Colorado goodbye and sets off on a one-way trip to New York City.

In the city, Jennifer hits the ground hustling, securing a job selling beepers on the street and singing for strangers every chance she gets. Not long after, she is discovered by a music producer on the A-train, records a demo, and signs her first record deal. However, Jennifer's budding career is interrupted by an unplanned pregnancy, destroying her odds in a male-dominated and cutthroat music industry. Unyielding, Jennifer persists for several years before landing a chance audition with platinum-selling producers, Full Force, who sign her.

In the blink of an eye, Jennifer skyrockets from starving artist to New York City's best kept secret, songwriting for superstars and all but sealing her fate as a future household name. However, just as she is on the brink of fame to go with the small fortune she earns from publishing deals, an unexpected turn of events sets her on the rockiest road to dreams come true.

Growing Up Between Stops on the A-train is the inspirational true story about how one woman discovered the secret to success and life happiness, the hard way.

GUBSOTAT will be published in hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audio formats on November 7, 2019. Follow Jennifer Y. Johnson-Garcia on Facebook or @jyjohnsongarcia and @GUBSOTAT on Instagram to become an advanced reader or get a copy of the book sooner!

Genres: Memoir

Paperback

About the author

Jennifer Y. Johnson-Garcia is the best-selling and award-winning author of Growing Up Between Stops on the A-train: A Memoir (Winner! 2020 Kindle Book Awards Reader's Choice • Winner! 2020 New York City Big Book Award • Winner! 2020 National Indie Excellence Awards). Jennifer has been a professional writer for over 25 years with credits in radio, TV, print, and film including writing a hit song in Japan and editing a newspaper in Jersey City. Jennifer holds a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University and is completing graduate work at Harvard. She currently resides near New York City.

Follow Jenn on Instagram @jyjohnsongarcia

Reviews

[Gabriel Zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful story of overcoming trials of the rat race, persistence and so much more. What a amazing story. I recommend it to anyone to read and be inspired.

[Lisa Padilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book it’s amazing

[Jasmine McTague · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't your Jenny from the block book, this is about a woman and how she over came her struggles. I thought I knew this woman but now , with her story, she is inspirational. It is a must read

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a roller coaster of a book! It was very descriptive, made me feel I was right there living everything with her! I could not put this book down!
A great story about someone over coming many of life’s obstacles to get where she wanted to be! Definitely recommend! Thanks to the publisher for the early copy

[Heather Blitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sounds so good! Cant wait to read it!

[Dee A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a young girl from Colorado that gives us a look at life in NYC and also the pace and frenzy within the music industry. For many of us, this is our only glimpse into these two realms, and we find our own souvenirs through her stories and descriptions. The A train and its stops run as a striking contrast to Jennifer's various and unforeseen challenges, jobs, and loves. The "stops" in her young life; type 1 diabetes, family turmoil, heartbreaks, and disappointments only briefly interrupt the schedule Jennifer has planned for herself. It is her confidence in her gifts as a singer and songwriter and her determination to succeed personally and professionally that remains as constant and reliable as the A train where she truly grows up. A brave story told with honesty.

[Catherine Masterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published as a work of creative nonfiction, the author recounts her life story. From childhood, she dreams of becoming a professional singer, and does meet with varying degrees of success as she pursues fame and fortune. As her values change, she pursues her dream of becoming a mother through adoption. With increased spirituality and maturity, she deals with the challenges that life throws her.
I appreciated the author's candor, and commend her on her ability to write about her life with a sense of calm detachment.

[Jessika · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will have a hard time putting this book down ... trust me! It draws you in with its "twists of fate" moments, relationships with "colorful" characters, and ALL the hip hop references too! If you're someone who grew up in the tri-state area, like me, you will appreciate the details on life in "the city" and all its hustle and bustle! BUT nothing is more touching than the underlying message of resilience and perseverance that the author demonstrates while overcoming every unimaginable obstacle. The strength of a determined woman should never be underestimated.

[Virgie Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book story of a young girls struggles to over obstacles in her life. Awesome and I would highly recommend reading

[Patty Fite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Jennifer is an amazing author. I read this in 2 days. Couldn't put this one down. Highly recommend!

[Amanda Fajardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational story! Jennifer is a beautiful woman both inside and out who’s strength and determination leads her to her dreams no matter the obstacles she faced along the way. Loved this book!

[Barbara Rayside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Stephanie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It

[Donna Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer has a dream of becoming a famous singer. She leaves home for NYC to pursue her dream as a teenager. This is a story about determination, suffering the highs and lows of the music industry and finding her spiritual self. She makes the decision that she will be the victor and not the victim.

[Mary Simonton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant wait to read it. On my list. Tks

[Michelle Edmonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this and can't wait to read this book...

[Tawney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, I didn’t want to put it down! It is the story of a very spunky, but totally relatable girl who leaves home early to pursue a career in singing. It is well-written and captivating. I couldn’t help but cheer Jenn on. I look forward to reading her other books.

[Lacey Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Jennifer Johnson-Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, readers, for your feedback! I appreciate your readership and support! I knew twenty years ago that I wanted to write this book. In total, it took six years to write and publish, including writing and directing the short film (see GUBSOTAT.com). It was important for me to share this story because I believe there is someone out there who will learn from my mistakes and draw strength from my human imperfections (and some epic triumphs)! Are you the one?

Warmest wishes,
Jenn

[Teresa M Bawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first few pages I just couldn't stop reading Such a strong and amazing woman. She didn't let her illness slow her down. She wanted to sing so sing she did. I was so lucky to receive this ARC.
This is definitely a 5 star read .

[Jeri Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!! AWESOMENESS!! Absolutely Loved it!! A must read

[Tammy Liscio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Highly recommended

[Janice Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to read this book!

[Carol Deegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing Up Between Stops on the A-train is an amazing story of the perseverance of a young girl to face the trials of her upended life with an “I won’t quit” attitude. Jennifer’s dream as a young girl is to be a well-known singer. When she was 17, she moved from Colorado to New York City without much money to her name and the tenacity to make her dream come true. The author portrays her life as an open book, and does not hide her failures and bad choices. The book also gives a glimpse into the music world in NYC. I admire Jennifer for not falling into the alcoholism and drug scene which is often typical of the industry. This is an astonishing book you should not miss.

[Darryl Barney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir by a talented ambitious woman who left Colorado at 17 for NYC for the music business, and seemingly got no sleep for 20 years. She had some success then veered on an extreme detour, the Mormon religion with mixed outcomes.

Sometimes she would brag a little much, but she also could make fun of herself and admit her faults. By the end of this story she’d gained some wisdom.

It was worth reading but not a favorite for me.

[LizzyS · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story of hustle and moxie! What an accomplishment to write a memoir! Always wanted to see what was going to happen next. It was a page turner for sure! Will definitely read more from this author!

[Jenny Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating true story of determination & grit. I loved it's inspirational message of never giving up on yourself, even when the odds are against you. There is always a way to overcome life's challenges, so long as you chose to overcome them.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about a young girl pushing herself to overcome the trials of life. Sounds inspiring! Cant wait to read and share with my teen!

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a book I could never leave my family behind that
That’s not a good idea what if granger is on the path but since becoming a singer that’s cool