*****REVIEW ORANGE CLOUDS BLUE SKY

By: J. Hale Turner One of the most important days of a teenager's life is their sweet sixteen. The anticipation of this special day for a teenager is as important to them as a wedding day is to a couple very much in love. Sweet sixteen to young ladies is also a time of peer pressure, mixed-emotions, and confusion as to who they are, and who they want to be. Most young ladies are thrilled this joyous occasion has finally arrived, but not for Skye Patterson, she perceives dread and humiliation. Unlike most teenagers, the most important thing in her mind is not boys, dating, and parties. Instead of building her social life, she's forced to grow up overnight, with a responsibility that most sixteen year olds would not be able to handle. It's hard enough on Skye to maintain good grades in school to plan for her dream of becoming a Veterinarian, but she's also forced with the burden of guiding and protecting Starr Alexandra. Starr is Skye's younger sister, born less than two years later. Although Starr is also a teenager, who may resemble Skye in appearance and is as loving as her family is, she lives in a different world. Starr is an autistic teenager, who lives in an isolated world, one in which only Starr can control as to who she opens the doors to. She survives the trials and tribulations that life throws at us by creating her own barrier for the good, and against cruelty. She thrives on joy and uses her barrier as a defense mechanism against ugly situations, usually caused from ignorant people who lack knowledge, understanding, and compassion. Starr used her barrier of defense at the local mall, while under the supervision of Skye, when they were both arrested under false pretenses for shoplifting. A day in Skye's life that became a crisis, which will forever leave an emotional scar, over a situation that was blown out of proportion. Skye accidentally lost her sister in the mall, while socializing with friends, with her mind focusing on a young man who she admired. Suddenly, her world was filled with fear, panic, and guilt. The trauma inflicted upon her, which occurred within thirty minutes, changed her life as quickly as a flashing traffic light. Skye was overwhelmed with joy to find Starr in a bookstore, laughing at a talking Elmo book, her new joyous possession. Before Skye could even take a deep breath of relief, handcuffs were forced upon her, and Starr. A moment that caused hysterics, embarrassment, and devastation that could have been prevented. Unlike the reaction of most sixteen year olds, Skye Patterson becomes a hero, defending and protecting Starr, regardless of her friends totally ignoring the incident. If I had the privilage and honor to nominate an Academy Award for Best performance in crafting the story of this novel with perfection, without a doubt, it would go to J.Hale Turner. In the same respect that Walt Disney used, the author painted her characters, then brought them to life. With thirty years experience in the medical field, specifically caring for autistic children and raising a child with disabilities, I can witness the expertise and knowledge that Ms. Turner carefully incorporated in her characters of "Orange Clouds Blue Sky." This story tugs at the heart, while making the reader laugh and cry at the same time, as one would do while viewing "Raymond" with Tom Cruise, and Dustin Hoffman. The sensitivity and emotional trauma that the Patterson family lives everyday could be felt through the reader as if watching "Radio" with Cuba Gooding Junior. This novel is a must read not just for teens, and adults, but also for the entire family. The portrayal of heroics penned by J.Hale Turner is superb in a magnificent performance of showing the readers that some of the world's greatest victories can happen in real life. Geraldine Ahearn, A.I.O.M. CCRN/ Author of 6 books Author Geri Ahearn, INC