Lynne Griffin

“Griffin challenges parents to assert their authority differently. This book, rich in anecdotes, will make a great addition to any parenting collection.”
–Library Journal

“Griffin’s carefully crafted characters ring heartbreakingly true and her finely wrought plot will snare readers from the first page.”
–Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“…a multi-generational novel that plucks the heartstrings.”
–Entertainment Weekly, Top 10 Book of Summer 2010

“Lynne’s passionate delivery builds bridges among children, faculty, and parents. Her encouraging attitude and perceptiveness make her an asset to any school or parent community.”
–Renee DuChainey-Farkes, The Kingsley School

“Girl Sent Away is a harrowing tale of family and adolescence—of the things parents do to keep their children whole and the terrible mistakes they make along the way.”
–Ivy Pochoda, author of Visitation Street

Check out Lynne’s guest post for Writer Unboxed

Dying to Know, Afraid to Find Out: Building Tension in Fiction

No matter the narrative, we read to explore human behavior and the intricacies of social and emotional life. Good stories ask us to contemplate universal questions, like “Are we in control of our lives?” or “Will we be punished for our sins?” or “What do we need most in the world to feel whole, to be loved?”

I read Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch to find out if Theo was ever held responsible for stealing the painting after surviving the terrorist attack in the museum. Yet mostly I read to learn how precious art might help or hinder the way a child grieves the loss of his mother.

I knew very little about displaced persons from Iran until I was introduced to the Behrani family in House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. I read this riveting novel of suspense because I needed to find out whether it would be Kathy or the Colonel who would win possession of the house in the California Hills. Except the more powerful reason I read was because the story asked me to imagine what it feels like to be someone forever at war with inequality and injustice. And to consider what I might be willing to do to hold onto the only place I had left to call my home.

[Read more: http://writerunboxed.com/2017/12/07/dying-to-know-afraid-to-find-out-building-tension-in-fiction/]

Featured Posts

The Novel a Day Habit

“Fiction is the lie through which we tell the truth.” –Albert Camus In 2019, we desperately need to honor truth, so I’m going to post a #noveladay on twitter. My recommendations will include old favs and new finds. And I’ll archive additions to the list once a month here. The most useful role of fiction […]

Grief After Suicide—Profound loss with complicated feelings

The primary focus of my work with schools is to equip teachers, parents, and teens with the tools to support emotional well-being and to detect risk factors and warning signs related to mental health issues before a suicide attempt occurs. Unfortunately, as we’re learning after the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, even with comprehensive support and treatment—and loving family and […]

Strategies for Stress-Free Evenings at Home

Excerpt from an article in ADDitude magazine. To avoid parent-child power struggles, make fewer verbal demands. Instead of telling your child what to do (which is often perceived as nagging), use a nonverbal cue. “Children with ADHD may lock into certain behaviors and lose focus, but parents can often redirect them with a simple nonverbal cue,” […]

Top Secret Strategies for Negotiating with Your Kids

Excerpt from Parenting magazine article. While life often feels like an assembly line of yes-no’s, a healthier approach may revolve less around imposing your will and more around a business-centric tactic: negotiating. What’s that, you say? Doesn’t negotiating mean you’re getting stepped on more often than Times Square? Nope. The key, says Lynne Griffin, author […]