Thank you to all the great musical influences in my life: The Avett Brothers, The Decemberists, Cat Stevens, Bob Seger, Simon and Garfunkel. Every musical ever written. Music is pure joy. Life cannot be experienced unless a great soundtrack accompanies it.
To all the teachers from my past who molded who I am. To all the teachers I worked with in the schools I called home: New York City, Boston, Columbus. To all the teachers who stood up and said they'd read my book. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I took a class in college called Young Adult Literature with a professor named Dr. Jackie Glasgow and I fell in love with books all over again. But it wasn't the genre that changed my life; it was the teacher who exposed it to me.
Thank you to my daughters, Drew and Hazel. I wrote this for you. I hope you see the true potential of life. That you can drive with the windows down, screaming at the top of your lungs, blaring music, and think life doesn't get any better than this. Then know that it does. I am because you are.
Thank you, Susan— for answering my phone calls at 2am, for loving me from the day my family became yours. You inspired this story. I never met your mom, but I hope you see her in the pages of this book.
From the time I was small, my parents taught me that dreams matter. That if I wanted to sing on stage or write a book or be CEO, I could. I've had many dreams in my life, some came true, others not so much. I'm still waiting for the day I'm called on stage to play Eponine in Les Miserables. Because of my parents, I never stopped wondering what might come next. Thank you, Russ and Sydney Schnurr, for raising a dreamer.
Words matter, from the dark to the funny. Marty believed that if she chose the right words, they could heal. I hope Playing Nice heals. That people read this book and share the power of healing with others, through words on a page or words out of your mouth. This book is me hanging out the car window and screaming at the top of my lungs for everyone to hear. Thank you, reader, for joining in the chaos.
Lil's Playlist
Words – Givers
One Love – Bob Marley
Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes
I Wanna be Sedated – The Ramones
Over the Hills and Far Away – Led Zeppelin
We are Young – Fun
I Hate Myself for Loving You – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
California Bound – Carolina Liar
Human – The Killers
Ho Hey – The Lumineers
Follow Lil on Twitter @LilHatfield
Together Book Clubs: Questions for Discussion
Marty tells the story from the first-person perspective which gives the reader her view of the world. How might the story be different if told from Lil's? Sarah's? Marty's mom?
Lil's favorite book is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey. Why do you think she identifies with this novel, particularly the character R. P. McMurphy?
Who is your favorite character and why?
Alex's brother says, "People are assholes." Do you agree and why? Do you think Marty agrees with that philosophy or not?
Marty has a connection with her grandmother that is all her own. Who are you connected with in a way that is truly yours and why?
Lil says, "Truth is subjective. If I told you this [rock] was a bird every single day for the next ten years, eventually you'd start calling it that." Do you think Lil's actions throughout the book are her own or a reaction to how people view her? Why? What about Marty?
What is your favorite line from one of Marty's poems? Why?
Lil and Marty identify themselves through song lyrics. What song lyrics do you identify with?
One of Marty's poems says, "In kindergarten we learn to get in line, Walk straight, Follow the leader, Earn a yellow star, But where does that line lead? To the same place everyone else goes. What if I went in another direction? Would I find new people to follow? Would I be the leader then? Or would I be alone?" What are the challenges to branching out on your own? Are there perks to being a follower? Are there downfalls to being a leader? What would you do if you found yourself alone?
Lil tells Marty, "There are people like you and there are people like me." Do you agree with Lil? Are Marty and Lil truly different?
Lil has some zinger lines. What is your favorite?
Marty and Lil battle bullying. Has the novel changed your view on bullying? What advice would you give to someone being bullied?
Do you think Marty and Lil ever see each other again? What would they be like as adults?
Are we human or are we dancer?
About Rebekah Crane
Rebekah Crane fell in love with YA literature while studying Secondary English Education at Ohio University, but it wasn't until ten years and two daughters later that she started to write it. Inspired by her past students, growing up in Cleveland with its fabulous musical theater community, and music of all kinds (particularly the Avett Brothers), she created Playing Nice. It is her first published novel, but having an unbridled imagination, it's not the only fantasy world she's lived in (just ask her husband). She now lives in Colorado, where the altitude only enhances the experience.
Connect with Rebekah:
http://www.rebekahcrane.com
http://rebekahcrane.tumblr.com/
https://twitter.com/rebekahcrane
https://www.facebook.com/rebekah.crane
Other Books by In This Together Media:
Soccer Sisters: Lily Out of Bounds by Andrea Montalbano
http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Bounds-Soccer-Sisters-ebook/dp/B008NMID1A/
Mrs. Claus and The School of Christmas Spirit by Rebecca Munsterer
http://www.amazon.com/Claus-School-Christmas-Spirit-ebook/dp/B00A2DWCSS/
Connect with us!
www.inthistogethermedia.com
https://twitter.com/intogethermedia
https://www.facebook.com/InThisTogetherMedia
Table of Contents
PLAYING NICE
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Lil's Playlist
Together Book Clubs: Questions for Discussion
About Rebekah Crane
Other Books by In This Together Media:
Playing Nice Page 22
