Welcome to Sarah Aronson.com!

I am honored and delighted that you are visiting my web site. The site includes information about my new book, Head Case, as well as resources for aspiring writers and readers who enjoy children's and young adult literature. If you like to read… (a lot), and are serious about writing fiction —this web site is for you! As my career and life as a writer unfolds, I look forward to your frequent visits to this web site, and encourage your comments and feedback. 

This web site is about: 
   Head Case, my first novel…
Resources for writers of books 
   for children & young adults
Books I am reading – and more…

About the author…

Author Sarah Aronson received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College in July 2006. She has been an aerobics instructor, physical therapist, and religious school principal. Currently, she works for Jewish Lights Press in Woodstock, Vermont. Head Case is her first novel.

more about Sarah…

Head Case

Head Case by Sarah Aronson

“One mistake.
One bad night.
One too many drinks.”

A powerful and heartbreaking novel about a guy who had it all…until he drank that fifth beer and got into the car.

Head Case will make you consider how we judge each other. It will give readers an honest first hand account of the aftermath of drunk driving.

Frank Marder is a head, paralyzed from the neck down, and it’s his fault. He was drinking. He was driving. Now Frank can’t walk, he can’t move, he can’t feel his skin. He needs someone to feed him, to wash him, to move his body. Now he must learn to deal with his lack of independence, his parents, his sister, his friends.

Will he ever feel like a whole person?
…When you're a head, do you ever get to forgive yourself?

What others are saying…

“…full of humor and the strength of the human spirit.”

—Reading Rants

It will make a strong impression on readers with its raw emotion and bitter narrative tone.

—Booklist

Aronson's raw first novel delves into the emotions, mobility, daily functions (e.g., eating, talking on a phone and using a computer) and even the pleasures and sex of quadriplegics. Above all, it asks us to consider how we value individuals with disabilities.

—Kirkus Reviews

read more reviews…


Use HEAD CASE for your Prom Project 2008

Before prom, get your students to talk about safety and sobriety. It is important to talk to them about responsibility, which is always difficult in the abstract.

Read HEAD CASE with your class.

Choose three or four excerpts. Ask your students to perform excerpts to the class

Next…

Lead a discussion about what it would be like to kill a friend. To be paralyzed from the neck down. What could you do? What would be impossible? Host a mock trial. Does Frank belong in prison?

If you can, contact your local hospital or physical therapy practice. See if your students can borrow a wheel chair. Let your students find out what it’s like to be wheel chair dependent.

Last…

Discuss responsibility. Does Frank take responsibility for his actions? Does he deserve forgiveness? Download sample discussion questions from this website.

Always: contact Sarah with questions. I love talking to young adults!

Contact info

I am happy to put together programs about any aspect of the writing process. Online chats and conference calls can be arranged.

Contact me!
I can also help mediate a discussion about the aftermaths of traumatic injury or a fundraiser for spinal cord injury research.

My literary agent

Sarah Aronson is represented by Barry Goldblatt Literary.