Chelsey: My True Story of Murder, Loss, and Starting Over

When Chelsey's father was violently murdered, days before her fourteenth birthday. She is now an orphan and has no clue what to do. She is forced to come to terms with living with her aunt and the home life that comes with it. She also is starting a new school. Chelsey is also trying to make sense of what happened and how she got here. Despite all that happened, Chelsey finds a way to flourish. Chelsey's story was heartbreaking. I think that it would be impossible to visit that part of my life. I think that there could have been more to Chelsey's story. Her writing was lovely and well done. I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

HCI's Louder Than Words series features stories about serious issues from real teens who have experienced them. When she was in first grade, her mother died from leukemia. When she was 14, her father was murdered by a burglar in a hotel room. This is Chelsey Shannon's account of what happened next. Being a teen is all about exploring who you are and what you are going to be. Chelsey now feels she has no one who really knows or understands her. She barely exists, thinking and crying about her father. Chelsey's aunt moves in and tries to take care of her, but is stretched among several responsibilities. Another aunt has Chelsey fly out to the west coast with the possibility of staying out there. But Chelsey has always enjoyed writing, and is now doing it more than ever to help her with her grief. She learns about a school for creative teens back home and decides to return. This time, though, her old house has been sold, so she moves back in with her first aunt. A new school is not the entirely fresh start she is hoping for as she feels more alone than ever. She is biracial and was used to being in a predominately white area. This school is much more diverse, but Chelsey becomes shy and can't figure out how to fit in with any of the teens she meets. Even with therapy, she feels like she will never get over the desperate feeling of being orphaned. While dark, CHELSEY is more about Chelsey's journey out of the depths rather than a focus on the awful things that happened to her. Getting over such unthinkable tragedies is not as easy as it is often depicted in TV or the movies, and Chelsey's narrative is gripping in its first person account. She has respect for all those who try to help her get through her terrible time, and it is then with hope and maturity rather than bitterness and resentment that she emerges. Chelsey is powerful but not perfect, making her story relatable for anyone. --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

The cover of this book is deceiving and deserves a better description (photo) of such a profound story. The childlike model on the cover does not resonate with what's inside. This is an incredible journey of a young girl who experiences the loss of both parents before she is 15 years old. Her story is compelling and uplifting and heartbreaking. Her ability to describe how she handles these losses and not turn to medication is infectious. She is a very gifted young writer and we would like to see more of her work. Including her poetry. This is a must read for anyone who is struggling with accepting the death of a loved one. Turning her agony into art through this book is gift to all who read it!