Can a persons life really be over at just 19? Sarah challenges this notion when, after flunking out of school, she decides to return to her hometown to try to gain a better understanding of what might be holding her back in life. Home is the hardest place for Sarah to teach herself to stop being a victim. But it is also likely the most important place to do it. She uses her newfound knowledge about herself to pull others out of similar crises, as love is rediscovered and friendship is borne out of adversity. Angel Rock Leap is riddled with lost and broken characters, each guilty of hurting those around them because they, themselves, hurt. This is an anti-bullying story that is Christian principle-based, with particular emphasis on the idea that hurting people hurt people.
Ellen Weisberg is a cancer researcher at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Principal Associate in Medicine at Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA), with a doctorate in pharmacology. Ken Yoffe is a pediatrician (Billerica, MA). He also holds a doctorate in genetics. Publications include short stories and poetry published in PKAs Advocate (bimonthly literary publication), The Writing Disorder (quarterly online literary journal and print anthology book), and Natural Solutions (holistic health magazine). They have also published several childrens books and a young adult novel (Galde Press and Chipmunkapublishing). Among their most recent publications are the anti-bullying NA novel, Angel Rock Leap (Waldorf Publishing, 2016), and the new Friends and Mates in Fifty States (Waldorf Publishing, 2017). They perform as part of a circus troupe that, through live acts and book donations, promotes bullying awareness and bystander intervention to Boys and Girls Clubs, retirement and nursing homes, and hospitals throughout New England. The anti-bullying childrens fantasy, Fruit of the Vine (Chipmunkapublishing, 2010), is being used as part of this show. Ellen and Ken live in Chelmsford, MA, with their daughter, Emily.
"What at first appears to be an overblown high school drama proves to be an astute look at the painful connection between low self-esteem and bullying
A unique voice emerges from an unlikely heroine in this quickly paced coming-of-age story." -- Kirkus Reviews
Angel Rock Leap wraps a diverse selection of themes (alienation, bullying, and how victims turn tables to become something greater than their pain) into its story, and is a strong recommendation for fiction readers seeking emotional stories of protagonists who hover at the intersections of
life-changing events and decisions. -- D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
Angel Rock Leap by Ellen Weisberg and Ken Yoffe is so realistic and covers relevant issues affecting society today. The characters truly seem like real people to me. Ifelt their anger and angst permeating into my hands through the pages of this novel. I could easily relate to some of the issues that the protagonist has to overcome, such as learning how to get past hurt and anger caused by people not worthy of our energy.While this novel is written about young adults, I think readers of all ages will enjoy it, and find themselves relating. Angel Rock Leap, would be a great selection for a readers group. -- Paige Lovitt for Reader Views
