Project Description
BEYOND BLONDE
In Beyond Blonde sixteen-year-old Sophie Kandinsky’s world erupts: Papa leaves home to get sober; Mama retreats within herself; her first love, Luke, is forced to get married; and even her refuge in basketball is threatened. To make matters worse, her own body betrays her at every turn! Luckily, Sophie’s adored Blondes and audacious Aunties are there to help her navigate the cascading catastrophes and shocking secrets with humour and heart.
Set in the 1970’s and featuring addictive, vibrant characters, Beyond Blonde is the powerful, page-turning conclusion of a highly original series.
Available worldwide and at:
CHAPTERS INDIGO CANADA | AMAZON CANADA | AMAZON USA
AWARDS
- Nominee, 2011 Cybils Young Adult Novel
- A CBC RADIO ONE CHILDREN’S BOOK PANEL PICK
Auntie Eva Says…
“Life is too short, be creative, mix your hair dye colours.”
“You must find a practice boy and be kissing him because kissing is like skating.”
she (Toten) beautifully renders Sophie’s world of high school heartaches and family mayhem. She manages to portray the simultaneous ordinariness and outrageousness of it all in a story that is by turns heartbreaking and hilarious.
— Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Sophie’s endearing character leaps off the pages of this very funny yet poignant continuation of the Kandinsky saga….Toten is a wizard at dialogue. It is the conversations that enliven and enrich this novel, demonstrating character and moving the plot along. Although the dialogue is stunningly good, Sophie’s inner reflections bring it all together . . .today’s teens, especially girls, will laugh out loud and sigh in recognition of the sweet pain of growing up.
— Canadian Materials
Toten achieves a new balance of the intelligent and the heart-warming, of slapstick and teen romance formula.
— Toronto Star
I love how the story deals with a multitude of issues that young adults go through around this time in their lives; emerging sexuality, drugs, family drama, first loves, figuring out how the world works in a very normal way. . .This is a great read for any teen girl in your life. Whether you are an Auntie, Uncle, parent, school counsellor or teacher who is looking for a fresh new way to tell a young lady (age 14 and above) she’s going to be okay and that you care, pick up this book or any other in this series.
— Word Of Mouse Book Reviews
The sensitive and sparkling characters who have peopled this welcome and entertaining trilogy maintain the authentic voice and captivating spirit that have inspired readers since Me and the Blondes made its debut in 2007… Funny, sad and unforgettable! If you have not yet met these wonderful people, take a weekend and get to know them well. It will definitely be worth the ride.
— Sal’s Fiction Addiction
