Ash and Feather by Frances, Sharon

When fourteen-year-old Phoenix learns of her parent, Eagle’s cancer diagnosis, her shoulder blades start to itch. It’s the end of summer vacation, eighth grade starts next week, and Phoenix’s world collapses. Every hall she runs down, every room she hides in, Phoenix feels herself changing, growing wings while Eagle may be dying. She builds a new nest from the comfort of grandparent Duck, counselor Hen, and sweetheart Ing. But cancer is like a coyote howling in the hills waiting for Phoenix to land so it can destroy everything. If she is to rise from the ashes of this uncertain world– one of surgery and medicine, classes and teachers–Phoenix must learn to feel everything, and become the bird she always imagined.

Sharon Frances is a queer poet, artist, educator and keynote/workshop presenter who specializes in processing emotions through creativity with children and youth. She/they are the recipient of the Celebrate Literacy Award from the Orange County Reading Association, and named a Hidden Gem by Voyage LA. Frances earned a BA in English and Women’s Studies, MA in Art Education, and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. She/they were a teacher in California and Texas, a teacher educator at California State University Fullerton, and a co-founder of Well Beings Studio, a cancer support project that provided arts and literature workshops and donated over 6,000 books to families, hospitals, schools, and community groups.

www.sharonjoyfrances.com