Chris Struyk-Bonn is originally a Midwesterner from a small town in Iowa. Currently, she works in alternative education at a small charter school that houses its curriculum primarily online. She works with many students who have found traditional schooling to be a poor fit for them for a variety of reasons. She often finds inspiration for her stories through her students' experiences. Struyk-Bonn's first novel, WHISPER, was released in 2014 and won praise from critics in CM Magazine, Kirkus, School Library Journal and more.
Right from the start, I knew Chelsea was a main character I could
relate to. . . .I understood Chelsea and her insecurities, and that
connection was the best part of this book for me. . . .a very
powerful and poignant novel. At only 254 pages, it manages to get
in, get out and leave you reeling. . . .NICE GIRLS ENDURE shows you
that everyone has a voice, and everyone deserves to have it
heard.-- "TeenReads.com/The Book Report"
Struyk-Bonn portrays the assault's aftermath particularly well,
deftly showing Chelsea's traumatization through actions rather than
emotional descriptions. After a while, Chelsea pulls herself back
up. . . .Valuable for showing a miserable fat protagonist getting
happier--without the seemingly obligatory weight-loss arc.--
"Kirkus"
This is not an easy or happy story, but it is a hopeful one. In the
end, the title says it all: Chelsea is a nice girl who finds a
support system that will help her not only endure, but hopefully
thrive. . . .Chelsea is an engaging, well drawn character who has
the reader shivering and itching, and eventually cheering for
her.-- "VOYA"
This story of modern-day grit, narrated in Chelsea's sensitive
voice, will resonate with young readers growing up in an
image-obsessed culture--not to mention the adults who deserve to
understand the body scrutiny today's teens (and younger) endure.--
"Booklist Online"
Told from Chelsea's perspective in chapters that are usually just a
few pages long, the story unfolds like a series of
stream-of-conscious anecdotes or diary entries. . . .Struyk-Bonn
(Whisper) gives Chelsea a blunt voice and frank wit, and her
hard-won triumphs and ability to regain her self-confidence come
without resorting to oft-seen and ill-advised weight-loss
plotlines.-- "Publishers Weekly"
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