“Janis Hallowell writes with lucid grace...” — Donna Gershten, author of Kissing the Virgin's Mouth “Skillfull ... delightful ...charming .... the characters are quirky, troubled, and appealing, and we’d be willing to follow them just about anywhere.” — Boulder Daily Camera “Provocative and suspenseful.” — People–4 stars, Critic's Choice “An intriguing and memorable look at what might happen if a modern-day miracle did occur.” — Booklist “THE ANNUNCIATION OF FRANCESCA DUNN asks poignant emotional questions, striving to define reality and redemption in a troubled world.” — Rocky Mountain News “Beautifully written and brimming with strong, appealingly eccentric characters...raises intriguing questions about the nature of contemporary faith and religion.” — BookPage

Ravenhill is the story of one fateful day in an American high school in 1997. As told from multiple points of view, the novel unfolds a few hours after an act of violence leaves five people dead and shocks the community. Leonard, a ninth grade student, has a secret so horrific he hides it beneath his bullying and a tough-guy attitude. Lara, one of Leonard's targets, is trying to show no fear of his persecution but is prepared if Leonard carries through with his threats. S.A.M. Bond is his own superhero with a secret he must guard at all costs. Mr. Hardin, the English teacher, has his own personal demons, including the death of his young daughter. Paul, the custodian and former priest, is fighting alcoholism. All these personal problems, attitudes, and anxieties erupt the day before the winter holiday break. Without flinching, Ravenhill attempts to answer the question of who might be responsible when a sudden violent act explodes and a quiet town is changed forever. "This explosive novel is a compelling and disturbing view of the violence and terror and loneliness present in our schools in this age of guns and mayhem, when even the best efforts of good people can't prevent tragedy."--Kent Haruf, author of Plainsong and Eventide, and a finalist for the National Book Award.

Doreen Woods lives an ordinary life. She is a respected dentist, her son has just graduated from high school, and her husband teaches fifth grade. The one flaw is that her brother, Adam, has MS. Even that isn't all that extraordinary. . . . Then, out of nowhere, Janey Marks shows up, bringing the past with her. In 1971 Doreen was young, idealistic Lucy Johansson. Adam was back from Vietnam, damaged and bitter. Caught up in the anti-war movement Lucy committed a crime that changed everything for both of them. She Was spans America, coast to coast, over four decades, to give us the story of one young woman who, like many of her generation, tried to change the world and how, thirty-four years later, in a world that still needs changing, she must pay the consequences.

Includes, beginning Sept. 15, 1954 (and on the 15th of each month, Sept.-May) a special section: School library journal, ISSN 0000-0035, (called Junior libraries, 1954-May 1961). Also issued separately.