D.S.Hale
Page 2....Comments and Praise for
Jessup and the Teleporter
“I loved the way you jumped right into the scene with the killing of aliens. It seemed so convincing the way Jessup is trying to cope and doesn't yet possess the emotional tools of a grown-up nor the maturity to achieve a solution. The inner dialogue confirms this in the most convincing way. You got well into the head of a 12 year-old and staked out the conflict parameters with great skill and sensitivity.” ---Ame
“What can i say about this book - it's just magical and a wonderful and rollicking adventure story. It has me locked in the mind of Jessup as he sits in front of the t v with his gun shooting bullets;and then things go weird and strange when the picture and t v go bust and himself and Chris back of in terror at the strange goings on. It's in fact just one great read that i got totally involved in, and i had no problem turning pages to see what was coming next!” ---Tom
“This is a really good fun story for kids and I thoroughly enjoyed all that I read of it. There were a few nits but imo they can be easily fixed. Several other commenters have offered more detailed comments and suggestions, so there's little else for me to add. The characters were believable and I could see this happening as I read.” ---Jackson
“I love finding new YA books to add to my classroom library, and when this one becomes available in print, you can bet it will be there. While yes, divorce is a tale told many times, it's something that so many kids go through, and I feel like books can be so very helpful when it comes to getting them through things like that, so I think you've used an experience that really can't get old or overused. Throwing sci-fi (and comedy) in the mix just makes it 100 times better! I love the plot, and actually, it was your pitch that started me reading, and the way you write that kept me going. Excellent job! Jessup is a great character - well written, believable, and someone the YA audience can easily relate to. It's a fun read and very imaginative - something that I think most YA books lack anymore. . ---Mrs. Gresh
“This is great. You're instantly drawn into Jessup's world and I simply loved the opening paragraph - Buzz-ut-huh!!!! Your descriptions are flawless and your transitions form video game to the new girlfriend to the judge's decision to the introduction of the 'mad professor' is smooth and effortless. Jessup's voice is distinct and your up to date on what's been happening in the poor kid's life. You really root for him and are thrown into his tough decision.” ---Kristy
“I love your book – you captured me at the get-go. I love the description of Professor Strunk lying on the floor in Chapter 3, you have wonderful descriptive powers, I could totally see him. Another fabulous detail I wanted to applaud you on was the heartbreaking, and so telling - detail - of Mum having to shower to drown out the sound of Dad moving out.” . ---Jan
“You've got a good story and strong character here, and I think you're addressing just the right audience in just the right way. Keep up the good work!” ---Zoe
“I find this story smoothly written, genuinely engaging and believable in many different aspects. It is also funny, with well-observed twelve-year-old angst. I could easily read the whole thing, and I think my daughter would love it.” ---Fran
“I have to say that I'm not a big fan of sci-fi books, and I started not to even read your book because of the title, but curiosity got the better of me and I'm glad it did. The story didn't go where I thought it would. For example I was thinking perhaps a boy teleporting himself into dinosaur times, mid-evil times etc.. and being a hero. Instead you went in a totally different direction by bringing in real life situations, in this case a soon to be divorced family, and going into the mind of the 12 year old boy who is suffering from the anxiety of his mom and dad possibly getting divorced, and bringing out realistic thoughts that I feel every child his age could relate to. I can also see where parents could learn from this book to get a better understanding of how to help their child with the feelings they are experiencing inside. All of this is based off of the 1st three chapters that I read. Your book really grabbed my attention from the start and the unresolved end of each chapter kept me hungry for more. I think you have a real winner here, and if it wasn't already so late in the night, 11:15pm, I'd probably read the entire book. But unfortunately I have to get up early in the morning and go to work. With the approach you used on this sci-fi book, could very well turn me into a sci-fi nut.” ---Donald
“Love this book even though sci-fi isn't really a genre I'm fond of. However, you made it fast paced with great dialogue. I can just see those 3 boys scrambling around trying to fix things. The description of Jessup making the concoction and it smelling so rank he threw up into the pot for added ickiness was priceless. And for a Christian book you weren't preachy.” ---Kady
“Every chapter ended with a great hook that made me want to keep turning the pages.” ---Sara
“HAHA! After a long day, I really enjoyed this and laughed my socks off at Jessup. Most importantly, you write like a YA, nothing worse than reading something that you can tell is from a grown up! Vivid imagery and description and language is perfect. You take the reader into the story straight away and I already hate Denise, feel sorry Mum and hope to hell he finds a way.” ---Jared
“This is a really well told first chapter! It reads very, very smoothly, and the dialogue is natural. The MC's inner dialogue works really well. You do a great job of getting into his head. I found his thoughts and reactions were realistic and appropriate. Also, they are always relevant to the story you are telling. I also love the way you include the girlfriend in the video game as an alien wrecker, lol. Lastly, though I usually have a hard time getting into first person POV, I slipped right into this one.” ---Dyane
“Superbly written and most enjoyable! I read it like I was watching a Disney movie. Your writing is concise and descriptive and your narration flows very well. I love youth stories such as this, and I take my grandson to see them when I can. Great imaginative story. I love Jessup's confidence and planning ability opposite Chris's fear of everything. Great contrast!” ---Debbie
“The story is great!!!!!! more!!!!!'s / Great idea. In the first chapter, you give character to Jessup right away with a nice balance of thoughtful narrative to let us peek inside his thoughts, then balance it with a good scene setting and dialogue between he and Chris. I felt like there was no wasted time here as you went right to establishing the story, explaining Jessup's conflict and ended the chapter with a great cliffhanger. Frankly, it was one of the best first chapters in this genre I've read on here in along time. Without skipping a beat in CH2 you go right to it. That freaking CH1 ending was great! You had to know you'd nailed that when you wrote it. You really do have a great little tale here. I think it is very entertaining. All in all, good story. Great character in Jessup. There were times when I felt I was reading the work of a first-class author.” ---E M
“This is such an enjoyable read and I've yet to see anything like it on the site or in the bookstore so far so you have something truly unique here! It's well written, with just the right style for your storyline, and is timely because so many kids today are dealing with parents getting divorced. I can see this as a great read for the younger generation because of this but it is also a book that I am loving and so it is something that I would pick up as well.” ---Paris
“Jessup has a great name and I loved the way you started the book by having him play a Nintendo game, picturing himself blasting away at his Dad's new girlfriend! What a good visualization! I can also get a good feel for the emotions between him and his mom and I feel for her and for him in having to make this decision.” ---Scott
“Really impressive! The characters really come to life.” ---Lacey
“The pages turn easily, the plot is fascinating and the story is well-written but accessible, as it should be for a YA novel. By the second chapter I already felt like I knew the characters really well. Told in the first person and the past tense I have assumed that Jessup ends up in a safe location where things have calmed down, but that may just be my interpretation!” ---Emily
“Jessup and the Teleporter is wonderfully well-done. From the get-go Jessup sounds like a twelve-year-old, and in spite of the complexity of some of the issues he faces, your handling of him never loses that young-boy sound. You also end each of your chapters with hooks that demand I keep reading.” ---Anne