2010 Award for Best Children’s Book won by Terri McIntyre
PEACE CORPS WRITERS is pleased to announce that Stronghold by Terri McIntyre (Pakistan 1963–65) has won the 2010 Award for the Outstanding Children’s Book published by a Peace Corps writer during 2009. McIntyre will receive a framed certificate and a prize of $200.
Stronghold, recommended for readers from 9 to 12 years of age, is a story that combines a boy’s grief, archaeology and the magic of imagination, was inspired by the author’s children when they built forts in the trees near their home, and by the discovery of Anasazi ruins under their home town. Stronghold’s hero, thirteen-year-old Joe Aberdeen finds himself in the middle of a dangerous adventure when he discovers looters in the act of pillaging.
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Terri McIntyre’s Peace Corps assignment was to start an office skills program in a girls’ high school in Hyderabad, Sind, Pakistan. The only problem during her first month of service, however, was that she had neither students nor typewriters. But she hunkered down and did some serious problem-solving — a skill that would come in handy when she started and taught a program for gifted children years later in a Navajo school.
Her first task as a Volunteer was to build a curriculum, but none of the local girls’ colleges had one to use as a reference in 1964. However, the staff at a men’s college, with amused interest, provided her with a syllabus, and Terri took it from there. Soon she had a curriculum and an empty classroom. In the meantime, as her coworkers looked on and questioned her endlessly about life in the Hollywood versions of America, she was given two duties: start the day leading all 700 girls with exercises in a lot inside the school compound, and assist the Pakistani English teacher, who soon left her in charge.
Terri could have learned much from her this woman who was a cool and modern lady who did not wear a burkah, but Terri was soon too busy drinking 300 cups of tea at the dozens of homes she visited as she tried to convince parents to allow their daughters to join her business office program. Her argument: women, not men, should work in girls’ schools and women’s hospitals. It worked. By spring, she had six students and new typewriters tagged “Ford Foundation” culled from various school district offices, and actually began teaching.
Terri with her co-worker Saghir
When Terri left Pakistan, a local teacher, whom she had trained, was put in charge of the business office skills program in the Government Girls High School. She also left a two-foot wide sombrero and a Navajo rug as gifts to the head teacher and program co-worker. What Terri brought home though was a world view that has kept her pondering and fascinated with life ever since.
She continued college in Arizona (BA in creative writing and literature, graduate studies in secondary education: English, special education, gifted education), married a man from Bangladesh, gave birth to a son of whom she is extremely proud, divorced, taught school for six years with the Juvenile Division of the Department of Corrections, remarried, and had a daughter she is also extremely proud of, and taught school on the border of the Navajo Reservation.
One of the most direct influences the Peace Corps experience had on Terri’s post-Peace Corps life was in her work with Navajo students through the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program she was asked to organize and teach. The first gifted program in her district was taught after school. Some considered it an elite club and there was much opposition from both teachers and administrators. Once more she found herself battling prejudice. The key breakthrough was a clause in the Gifted Education “Mandate” that encouraged program coordinators to create a talent pool of potentially gifted children, a list of children to be observed and tested. To overcome the elitist aura surrounding the identification of gifted kids (and, by definition, the exclusion of everyone else), her strategy was to create a living talent pool. The small groups of identified gifted were expanded to include the possibly gifted because someone, anyone, including the student, could refer a child who exhibited some special talent. Her justification was that if a child believes she’s gifted, she is gifted. No longer did she hear complaints. Parents formed a support group to address the effects of this approach — after school math club, drama club, and teacher/class workshops in which she could share gifted education strategies and techniques with everyone.
To this day, kids, now adults, come up to her in a store or at the post office and proudly say, “Remember me? I was in your GATE program.” Unfortunately when Terri retired, the program was retired, despite all the manuals she had written and materials and equipment she had obtained with grants over the years. Budgets became tight and the Mandate went downhill with art and music.
Recently she began to wonder what had happened to the office skills program in Hyderabad, so, although she did not physically walk in, she visited Government Girls High School, aka Miira School, via Google Earth. There was the front gate where tongas and rickshaws left off students, her first tiny classroom atop the school building, the kitchen room behind the administration office where she pissed everyone off when she insisted on washing every leaf of lettuce, the wall of roses the girls would pick and chew on the blossoms, the dorm in which she lived for nearly two years next to another teacher’s room, the two rooms sandwiching a brand-spanking new toilet, a little chamber that in 1964 received many visitors, not for use, but for viewing.
And there was that big yard where she stood on the wall leading 700 girls wearing white shalwaar-kamiizes and red sweaters in exercises she made up because, in her words, “I really didn’t know what I was doing.”
To order Stronghold from Amazon, click on the book cover or the bold book title — and Peace Corps Worldwide, an Amazon Associate, will receive a small remittance that helps support these awards.
Terri McIntyre: Reviews
Stronghold Reviews
When 13 year-old Joe Aberdeen’s world is ripped apart after his mother’s tragic death, he feels torn between his neighboring grandparents, whom he loves and in whose home he is always welcomed, and his father, divorced from his mother several years earlier and living 1,200 miles away. Although his father has visited him from time to time, Joe hardly knows his father’s new wife and their daughter–Joe’s step-sister. He admires his father, but feels a special closeness to his grandparents and to the area where he has been raised in Indiana. His grandparents want him to live with them and he wants to stay in the place where he is most familiar.
Joe’s father must take a stand and, to the objection of Joe and his grandparents, takes his son with him to Arizona. During the long drive, Joe mentally reaches back, back to what’s familiar and what he loves. He’s resistant to the new sights his father points out, resistant to the inevitable change that’s in store for him. He resists all attempts of affection shown to him.
Arriving in Arizona’s high-desert country and forced to be with a family he barely knows, Joe finds himself overwhelmed and homesick to the core. The only friend he makes is the family’s wolf-dog. Through the family’s patient efforts, Joe gradually thaws. His feeling of belonging is improved when he makes a friend, a boy his own age whose home is close by. Still, he branches out alone much of the time and begins exploring, finding relief in creating a fort, his own stronghold. In the process of building his stronghold, Joe finds buried items, which he soon learns to be ancient ruins.
At school, Joe finds he is a racial minority–a strange situation for him. All the other students and even the teachers are Native American. He finds himself accepted and becomes absorbed in a surprisingly interesting class–social studies. However, he soon finds himself embroiled in a dangerous situation involving Indian artifacts.
I found Stronghold an absorbing book, interesting for all ages, though it is primarily for young adults. The author speaks with authority having taught Navajo children and raising her own family in a multi-cultural environment.
Stronghold is available at Amazon.com, Amazon.com/Kindle, Barnsandnoble.com, and other on-line stores. For more information, visit the author's website http://www.terrimcintyre.net/
Darcy Munson Meijer Reviews Terri McIntyre’s (Pakistan 1963-65) Stronghold
Posted by John Coyne on Monday, April 26th 2010
Darcy Munson Meijer has lived and taught in France, Vietnam, the U.S. and Gabon. She currently teaches women at Zayed University in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates — Abu Dhabi. Darcy also edits the quarterly Friends of Gabon newsletter, the Gabon Letter. Here she reviews the young adult novel Stronghold by Terri McIntyre.
Stronghold
by Terri McIntyre (Pakistan 1963–65)
CreateSpace
October 2009
259 pages
$12.50Reviewed by Darcy Munson Meijer (Gabon 1982–84)
Stronghold is a valuable addition to the book collection of any young adult — and to mine. Author Terri McIntyre provides a model of talented writing and plot development and gives readers food for thought, plus marvelous local color.
The story is set in Indiana and the beautiful high-desert lands of Arizona. Stronghold’s hero is 13-year-old Joe Aberdeen, who must relocate to his father’s house as a result of a family tragedy. As Joe heals, he makes a shocking discovery that forces him to make a difficult choice.
McIntyre’s novel unfolds in 26 short chapters. The focus is how Joe works through his grief and emerges into young adulthood. The dominant themes are loss, growing up, the continuation of the past in the present, and the clash of cultures.
The book is aptly titled after the fort Joe builds in his backyard — his “stronghold.” It is a fort like any adolescent escape place — created as a retreat from the world — but Joe unwittingly builds it on the ruins of an ancient First American community.
McIntyre notches up the suspense when Joe discovers that his neighbors are looting artifacts from the ruins under their property. There are laws against such activity, but it is difficult to prove that a crime has been committed. Joe and his family take action to stop the desecration.
At this point, McIntyre adds a spiritual layer from the ancient Anasazi community. As one of her characters says, “History has a way of staying in the present.” This most delicate part of the story gives a fascinating dimension to the plot. In the climax, past and present meet for a ceremony that puts all disruption to rest. In this appealing parallel, Joe helps to right the wrongs to the lost First American community as he heals from his own loss.
McIntyre says that a good book includes the following: a catchy beginning; new developments that hold your attention; realistic dialog; believable action; and a satisfying ending. I rate her a high five on all counts except the dialog, which earned a 3.5 in my humble opinion.
Young adults will love the compelling plot of Stronghold. Two of my children read the book almost as quickly as I did. In addition to quick-paced action, McIntyre weaves into her story facts about northern Arizona and First American history and culture. Her love for her home area is apparent in her clear descriptions of high-desert plants, animals, sounds, colors and scents. She creates suspense with the sporadic appearance of ravens. They may be curious onlookers, harbingers of evil, messengers from the past — or from the dead. We can only guess and wonder what these birds meant to the ancient occupants of this site.
Terri McIntyre seems to understand adolescent children well. Her portrayal of Joe is spot on and tender, and she gives him a new home life that is peaceful and healthy. He seemed real to me. I liked him immediately.
The only weak point for me was the dialog, especially the speech of Joe’s father. It is possible that the process of getting to know his son again, and the compassion he feels for him chokes his phrasing and makes him sound canned. All the characters spoke a little too carefully, as though from a book on proper sentence construction. When I first began reading, the dialogs jarred me out of the story. All in all, however, the plot or character development were not affected. The messages were crystal clear, if not wholly realistic.
I asked McIntyre what her inspiration was for writing Stronghold and how close the story was to her own life.
She has lived in Arizona for most of her adult life “on a juniper-strewn hillside overlooking a wide valley,” a place very similar to the book’s setting. McIntyre’s own two children grew up there and built forts among the junipers. They grew up with Navajo classmates and friends.
McIntyre said that in the mid-Nineties, extensive ruins were discovered in her town — “Red Ridge” in the story. She elaborates: “Because of the proximity to Indian land, Navajo Tribal laws required that each potential site be probed for possible antiquities before construction began. After many probes and excavations, it soon became evident that the whole area sits atop an ancient and once-thriving city.”
This became the core idea of the book. McIntyre then fashioned Joe’s personal story to flesh out the action.
Asked whether her Peace Corps experience influenced her writing, McIntyre explained that the Peace Corps influence was very strong. After Peace Corps, McIntyre longed to continue learning about other cultures, this time closer to home. “Arizona is a cradle of many cultures and I was drawn eventually to Navajo country. When I came to work with Indian kids, I knew I had neither the wisdom nor the ability, nor the RIGHT to set anyone but myself on a better track. The Peace Corps changed me in that way and I’m grateful for that. It helped to make me an observer and a learner, two essential traits for someone who wants to be a writer, and I knew at eight that I wanted to be a writer.”
She has worked for three decades with the Dine’ (dih-neh’, or The People).
“What I’ve learned from the Dine’ is too much to say in a few sentences, but it’s been as powerful an influence on me as the Peace Corps was. And I’m grateful.”
Stronghold closes with a useful glossary of technical archaeology terms and two pages of “Internet Resources for the Research-Minded.”
In brief, I highly recommend Stronghold not only for individual readers — adults and adolescents — but as a purchase for any school library.
Feedback Stronghold 4/5 stars 5/5 stars osobehr April 07, 2010 What are the strengths of the writing and of the story? The characters are very interesting, the dialogue snaps, and the relationships are complex - with the promise of more to discover as we get further into the story. I'm pulled into the story by what the characters aren't telling me or have yet to discover for themselves. The plot drives towards the climax of the fire naturally, but compellingly. It all feels real! The different,colliding perspectives worked for me too - there are a lot of conflicting "realities" here (Joe's, his mom's, Cal's, the grandparents) with the inevitable and intriguing tensions that result, but I also felt you stayed true to Joe's character as the "story teller." What needs improvement? Nothing I spotted at this point. Keep writing! Your general assessment? Very strong, compelling story (IMHO). Is this a genre (juvenile fiction) or topic you sometimes choose to read? For me this is an "adult" story - all of us were kids and many of us have (had) kids.
4/5 stars Rachel April 06, 2010 What are the strengths of the writing and of the story? I wish there were decimal points, because I'd really give this 4.5 stars. It's very good. I like Terri's style of writing. The dialogue is very believable, which is important, and I like the descriptiveness of the writing. I feel like I have a very good picture of the small town and the people in it. It feels Mayberry-ish, but not in a cliched way. Just a pleasant way, like I already know the characters. I also like the foreshadowing of the sense of mystery in the scene at the discovered gravesite. What needs improvement? Some of the background information felt forced - in particular the paragraph that describes the time Joe tried to protect his mother from "a man" who was hitting her. It felt awkward to me. I don't know if there's a way to work it in more naturally, like when he sees Calbert he's reminded of why he doesn't like the men his mother brings home. Something like that. But that was the only time I was pulled out of the story in that way. The only other thing I might add is that I'm still not sure at the end of the excerpt where the plot is going. I'm not sure what the main conflict is going to be or what the theme is. It might be good to put something more of a clue about the direction the plot is going to take to orient the reader. But that's not a big criticism. It didn't bother me that terribly much. Just something to think about. Your general assessment? Very nice, smooth writing that pulls the reader along. Good characterization and scene setting. Is this a genre (juvenile fiction) or topic you sometimes choose to read? Yes - though mostly it tends to be older YA stuff. I do at times read younger juvenile.
Joe,
Thanks giving me your mom's book on Monday night!!! I finished reading it yesterday...I LOVED it! I had fun wondering what parts were influenced by you! I like how she worked in the musical band "Draper" and the boys' special handshake.
Your mom's writing style is very descriptive and realistic; I had such a complete vision in my mind that I felt like I was actually there running around inside those junipers! Even from the beginning with the netless basketball hoop on the coal shed! And driving to "Red Ridge" (I imagined Sanders) from Gallup.even from Albuquerque or Amarillo.I have done it all before.beautiful country.right there in my mind!
I was impressed how she wrapped her story with facts about Northern Arizona, plants, Native American (or 1st American as they are called in the book) history & culture, Route 66,.heck I even learned a few Navajo & Hopi words! She also teaches how to appreciate the beauty of the high-desert and what it is like to be a minority!
Another thing, she completely nailed "what it's like to be a boy". Stronghold was such a pleasure to read because it TOTALLY reminded me of when I was a young boy playing in the woods. Forts were my thing! I played just like that! We even had rival forts.and stole each others' tools. She conjured up images I have not thought of in awhile...and on a personal note...I want to make sure I provide that for my child.
Question: is the book available on Amazon or anywhere else so I can give it as a xmas gift? I have some schoolteacher friends who might appreciate it!
So, Jojo, tell your mom aa-hee-hee from me!!
-Sergio Vie
I was so busy when you graciously sent your book that I put it away, and actually forgot about it until mom said that she was reading it.
So on Saturday evening, after my shower, I got your book back out and climbed into bed with it. I read about 3/4 of it and finished it last night. It was so interesting and brought back so many nice memories about Grandma and Grandpa Stephens, particularly when the grandfather was telling ghost stories. I enjoyed the characters and the very detailed writing which took you right along with them. Of course having some background with the family helps too! Being an admitted "foodie", I certainly appreciated the descriptions of the meals! It had to be a good read, and while I am a speedreader, it had to be good or I wouldn't have kept reading it. (I've told you the story I'm sure of Grandma Stephens timing me with her clock to see how far I could get through her Readers Digest novels when I was just 5 or 6!) She would just give me a start time and I would read as fast as I could until she made me stop. And then she would see how far I had gone in those few minutes. Eventually I got very fast. I don't know why we started this. It was probably just some game to keep me busy so she could get some things done!
Anyway, sorry to rabbit trail, I really really enjoyed the book. Knowing something about the family made it interesting too. The references to the Peace Corps in Pakistan, to Joe's music (Joe in the book listened to Draper), and so forth.
And if I'm not too far off, I think I see a lot of your temperament in Alberta perhaps??? :)
Thank you so much and congratulations on a good read!
Cathy
About Stronghold By terri mcintyre
Written by Kay Edgecumbe:
I started reading this book and liked it from the start
There is reality twists of real life like the hero enjoying some of grandmas food and talking with his mouth full.
Or the flash back to a trauma in his child hood, who does not get theses moments where your mind reenacts those incidents and amplifying them in your mind to a scary or impossible outcome.
The real every day things that some one would do when distracted like drying hands on tea towel after washing his plate these bring the reader right alongside joe
Then the gradual introduction of incidents that become important later in the story
I loved the thoughts he had when faced with few clothes imagining himself naked at school.
As I read I am wondering what do the ravens mean in the story.
and yes the raven is mentioned a couple of times more and i feel there is some thing about them yet to come i am writing comments as i read it .
i like to take a book as a lot of short stories and think about each chapter and yes any comments from me are welcome on your site.Moenjodaro ruin mentioned and visited it via google satellite very interesting
Enjoy the every day life of a white boy in an Indian community still reading the book as been busy lately
And believe it or not this is the first full book I have read in years as my attention span is short unless it has to do with mechanics
Lol its taken me 65 years to find that out
I wondered why if I read a perry mason short story I never read another one as they all seemed to be the same to me and the same with any other series of books.
The same with tv series like coronation street they all seem the same to me.
I always knew I was hyper active in a constructive way.
So when I write a story it has to be short or I loose interest.
.
I like the ghost sequence as it surfaces later and the ravens sort of poking their noses in now and again it helps with connecting the story together.
Finished at last and the last twist helped to string together all the rest of the story
Loved it
Now have 3 more people waiting to read it.
Regards
Kay Edgecumbe
Piersdad
Entertaining and Educational, December 29, 2009
By Carol Lee Vie "Carolita" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
I read STRONGHOLD in one evening. I could not put it down until I knew the ending. Terri has a descriptive way of writing that was so visual, I felt part of the story. It was very entertaining and educational for me to learn about some native customs. I would highly recommend STRONGHOLD to anyone with an open mind and a youthful heart.
I'm not much of a reader, but your "Stronghold"
has captured my interest TOTALLY... I'm already
halfway through it! You have a terrific way of
using descriptive words to grab the image
and create the motion.... really wonderful, Terri!
I wish you well with this great book....you deserve
everything good that comes from all the time,
talent and dedication that you've poured into this
successful project! Cheryl
Hi Terri.
Finished Stronghold. Excellent, excellent job. Love it. Very proud of you!
Love, Bill
(from Gina Crivello)
Thanks to Stronghold I missed my afternoon nap. I didn't want to put it down! I finished it.
Anyway, I really enjoyed it. I can totally see this as a movie (but don't leave anything out). You manage to capture "real" moments...moments I can relate to. Moments like popping corn: that's the way my dad made it when I was growing up, and I continue that tradition with my kids. The comforter tunnel: I felt like I was in the blanket making the tunnel as I did...it's been a long time.
"...not interested in motion.." love the way you put that and the rest of the paragraph. I so GET IT as well as "left alone to float around inside himself..." and "Where am I at right now?" and how you tied that in with later chapters.
There was a part when he had his first morning in AZ and was trying to capture a moment that was familiar but faded away, but it had good feelings. That happens to me...something brings me back to good feelings I had as a kid, then it's gone.
That "knock-knock" part where the step mom says, "May I come in?" gave me chills. Great "movement."
The best rain smells come from AZ...the sand, Juniper and sage.
I liked the subtle details you included about the way some Native Americans "point" with their lips. I learned about that in the past.
Oh, there's more. I'm so tired though and need to sleep.
Brilliant!
Published by Joe Draper - 11-2009
Stronghold is a beautiful and inspirational story! It has a timeless, universal appeal and I could easily see it being made into a motion picture. Highly recommended! - Joe Draper
A must read for young teens and adults alike.
Published by Kelli McIntyre - 10-2009
This story draws you in from page one and connects you with the main character immediately. As an adult, young adult, teen or pre-teen, you will find inspiration as Joe travels through his world and conquers his fears and insecurities. And you will love the magic and mystery that surrounds this young boy in the wide open lands of Arizona. Young teens will be able to relate to the difficulties Joe faces and feel the hope that the author so eloquently weaves into the pages. An excellent addition to your library. Heartwarming and fun to read - you will not want to put it down.