|
About the Book
Sam steps off the hot school bus into a summer
world of adventure at Camp Hampton. Within moments of his arrival,
Sam meets people that will change the course of his life. At thirteen,
this is his first experience away from home. Within days, Sam is
swept into a fast-paced summer of terrifying challenges and hilarious practical
jokes. He soon makes a startling discovery that he must keep
secret from everyone but his closest friend. As the summer races
along the ten boys of Cabin # 14 learn something about becoming young men
through their counselor who is the most remarkable man they will ever meet.
Eventually, Sam and his new friends find themselves in a gripping struggle
for their lives. In the midst of this unforgettable summer, Sam searches
for the meaning of life, and an understanding of death.
Excerpts
Sam had a powerful yearning to scream and
cry at the same time. Another powerful force pulling at what small
part of his brain was not consumed by panic was that he was a 13 year old
boy surrounded by a nine of his friends. Thirteen year old boys didn’t
scream in fear, and they didn’t cry in public. What did he
fear most? The high probability of death he now faced, or the guarantee
of never ending embarrassment if he cried? Fortunately, Chance
quickly appreciated the rapidly deteriorating situation. He pulled
Sam safely back onto the small wooden platform.
Chance’s massive hand rested heavily
on Sam’s shoulder, but Sam couldn’t even feel it. He wondered if
his shaking could be seen be the boys fifty feet below. Chance told
him to have a seat on the platform. Sam wasn’t sure whether he sat
down voluntarily or whether his legs just gave out beneath him. Chance
quickly sat down next to him so that all the boys below could see was this
enormous counselor, and dark haired boy sitting on a platform fifty feet
up in the trees with their feet poking out into the air.
About the Author
Mark Melrose is a practicing trial lawyer
living in the small town of Sylva, North Carolina near the Great Smoky
Mountain National Park. He has been married to his wife Dawn for
sixteen years, and they have three children; Adam, Emily, and Allison.
Take a Chance is Mark’s first novel. Inspired by his own experiences
attending summer camps in Western North Carolina, this book was his attempt
to capture the excitement and wonder of those long summer days spent away
from home. It is Mark’s hope that young readers will recognize,
just as his character Sam did, that there is a deeper meaning to life.
Return to Old Mountain Press Books In Print
|
