About the Book: Ava in Lost Pines, by Steven W. Simon
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Someone's on my trail
I can feel their heartbeat
I can't find the place to hide
but I feel their eyes watching me
The opening lyrics of Lost Pines by Pinebox Serenade were the inspiration for Ava in Lost Pines, and being in unfamiliar places and situations is the central theme throughout this book. From the opening sentence you are with Ava in the quiet cabin of the plane slowly descends. Charlie's obliviousness to the peril.
About Ava in Lost Pines
When a plane crashes in a remote forest, Ava, a young girl, and Charlie, an autistic boy, are the only survivors. When Charlie runs off, Ava must find him, protect him, and determine who to trust.
Writing About Autism
Charlie is mostly non-verbal in Ava in Lost Pines. The only words he utters revolve around basic needs, such as hunger or going to the bathroom. While unfamiliarity is a concern for an 11-year-old girl like Ava, it can be very traumatic for an autistic child.
I've seen this firsthand. My stepson, who Charlie is based on, requires 24-hour care, and has been moved from home to home. I have taken great care to represent autism in Charlie faithfully and with compassion.
About Steven W. Simon
Steven W. Simon is an American writer, and author of the new novella, Ava in Lost Pines. His books focus on outsiders, outcasts, and exposing American truths through fiction. Steven lives and works out of his home near Chicago.
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