Sketches
by Eric Walters
by Eric Walters
SKETCHES by Eric Walters
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 3/13/08
Publisher: Viking
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Rating: 5 Stars
SKETCHES is about three teens living on the streets. Dana, Brent, and Ashley each have their own personal demons.
Those demons drove them away from their families and onto the city streets.
Sexual abuse at the hands of her mother’s second husband caused Dana to begin acting out in school and at home. When
her mother didn’t pick up on the clues, Dana decided the only answer was to leave. Fortunately, Brent and Ashley,
experienced street kids, were there to pick up the pieces. Brent has issues that forced him to leave home hoping to find
some answers, and Ashley’s mother, an exotic dancer, acted more like a sister than a mother. Together these three
panhandle and squeegee car windows, hoping to earn enough money to eat and occasionally sleep somewhere with
shower facilities.
Things begin to look up when Dana stumbles across a place called Sketches. It is an organization with the goal of
providing a creative outlet for street kids. Dana’s artistic talents shine through some random graffiti work, and she is
noticed by one of the counselors at Sketches. The place offers food and good, solid advice, as well as art supplies and a
safe place to create. Once Dana and her two friends get involved at Sketches, they see the possibility of improving their
lives.
Rich with details about life on the streets, SKETCHES is an emotional story of desperate kids taking action to regain
control of their shattered lives. Eric Walters includes both the harsh reality of homeless living and just the right amount of
hope to make SKETCHES a book that will speak to teens everywhere.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 3/13/08
Publisher: Viking
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
Rating: 5 Stars
SKETCHES is about three teens living on the streets. Dana, Brent, and Ashley each have their own personal demons.
Those demons drove them away from their families and onto the city streets.
Sexual abuse at the hands of her mother’s second husband caused Dana to begin acting out in school and at home. When
her mother didn’t pick up on the clues, Dana decided the only answer was to leave. Fortunately, Brent and Ashley,
experienced street kids, were there to pick up the pieces. Brent has issues that forced him to leave home hoping to find
some answers, and Ashley’s mother, an exotic dancer, acted more like a sister than a mother. Together these three
panhandle and squeegee car windows, hoping to earn enough money to eat and occasionally sleep somewhere with
shower facilities.
Things begin to look up when Dana stumbles across a place called Sketches. It is an organization with the goal of
providing a creative outlet for street kids. Dana’s artistic talents shine through some random graffiti work, and she is
noticed by one of the counselors at Sketches. The place offers food and good, solid advice, as well as art supplies and a
safe place to create. Once Dana and her two friends get involved at Sketches, they see the possibility of improving their
lives.
Rich with details about life on the streets, SKETCHES is an emotional story of desperate kids taking action to regain
control of their shattered lives. Eric Walters includes both the harsh reality of homeless living and just the right amount of
hope to make SKETCHES a book that will speak to teens everywhere.