Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Introducing Author: Veronica Randolph Batterson





I recently read Billy's First Dance by Veronica Randolph Batterson. What a wonderful coming of age book. The story has many wonderful characters and is about the love and kindness a thirteen-year-old girl has for her invalid younger brother. The boy, Billy is in a wheelchair and would love to dance. 


Real family dramas and comedy happen and the story will make you laugh as well as cry. It's a coming of age book, so young girls will love it and maybe even some boys. Reading this story brought back many wonderful memories of when I was thirteen. 

The writing was perfect and I enjoyed the unique descriptions of all the relatives, especially the old woman. I read the whole book in one day

Veronica received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her short stories and essays have appeared in various publications. She currently lives in Chicago with her husband and their golden retriever, Lily, and is working on her next novel.

Thirteen-year-old Junie dreams of becoming a writer. Her youngest brother, Billy, afflicted with Spina Bifida and confined to a wheelchair, dreams of dancing. Their quirky but loving family finds a way to stay together.


Set in the southeast in the 1970s, BILLY'S FIRST DANCE unfolds with attention to family bonds, special needs and coming of age. Junie wants desperately to become a writer but must deal with the unusual circumstances of her family. She and her three half-siblings live with their grandmother and aunt, and none of the children know where their mother is.

BILLY'S FIRST DANCE is written for the middle grade reader and older. It is available on amazon.com, buybooksontheweb.com, borders.com and waldenbooks.com. Any bookstore may order copies.

You can find Veronica's books at the following links:  


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