My Bright Shadow

by Patrick Jones

These are words written during Patrick’s mother’s diagnosis of leukaemia and after her death—mostly under a tree on the mountain where he would speak with her. No perfectly crafted sonnets but the raw breath of grief—of trying to work out what was, is and will be. We write to escape ourselves and to find ourselves—these poems are a testament to a life and to love. We are alone in our grief but connected to others’ grieving and words are the threads stitching us together.

With an introduction by Patrick’s brother, Nicky Wire.

Genres: Poetry

28 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

Patrick Jones is the author of five realistic teen novels, most recently Stolen Car((Walker / Bloomsbury, 2008). His first young adult novel Things Change (Walker & Company, 2004) was named by the Young Adult Library Services Association as a best book for reluctant readers, and was runner-up in the Teen Buckeye Book Award selected by Ohio teens. His second novel Nailed was published by Walker / Bloomsbury in spring 2006 and was a runner-up for the Great Lake Book Award. His 2007 novel, Chasing Tail Lights, is nominated for the Minnesota Books Awards. His most recent (and last) professional publication is Connecting with Reluctant Readers (Neal-Schuman, 2006). In 2006, he won lifetime achievement awards from both the Catholic Library Association, and the American Library Association. Jones is a frequent speaker at library conferences, having visited all fifty states, as well as in Canada, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Jones grew up in Flint, Michigan, but now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Read more at his web page www.connectingya.com, including FAQs about Things Change and Nailed (perfect for book reports!). NOTE: After a bruising experience with another author, he's limited his reviews on Good Reads to only raves as not to disturb the "fellowship" of YA writers.