Compromised - by Heidi Ayarbe (Paperback)

About the Book

The author of "Freeze Frame" delivers a tour de force about life, family, and the teenagers who slip through the cracks, in this story about 15-year-old runaway, Maya.

From the Back Cover

Maya's life has always been chaotic.

Living with a con-man dad, she's spent half her life on the run. Whenever her father's schemes go wrong, Maya finds a scientific way to fix it. But when her dad ends up in prison and foster care fails, Maya grasps at her last hope: a long-lost aunt, who may not even exist.

So Maya formulates a plan, and with two unlikely allies and twenty dollars in her pocket, she sets off in search of this aunt. Life on the streets, though, becomes a struggle for survival--those scientific laws Maya has relied on don't apply. And with each passing day, Maya's definitions of right and wrong are turned upside down when she's confronted with the realities and dangers of life as a runaway. She can't help but wonder if trying to find this aunt--and some semblance of stability--is worth the harrowing journey or if she should compromise and find a way to survive on her own.

Review Quotes

Maya's narrative of youngster's who have slipped through the cracks is both heart wrenching and hopeful. An absorbing tale. - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
With a sharp ear for dialogue and prose propelled by a searing urgency, the author plumbs the depths of her characters' souls for horrors and treasures alike. A poignant portrait. - Kirkus Reviews
A gut-wrenching, terrifyingly authentic story and memorably etched, courageous characters. Reminiscent of Adam Rapp's 33 Snowfish, this challenging read will leave readers holidng out a faint hope for Maya's future. - Booklist
"Readers are quickly drawn into the mystery of guilt or innocence...This book will be appreciated by many teens." - School Library Journal
"A truly strong first novel, and one with definite appeal to older teens." - ALA Booklist
Praise for FREEZE FRAME "Readers of Ayarbe's debut novel will be delighted that she has a second young adult novel in the works." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)
"Freeze Frame is, quite simply, a stellar first novel. Heidi Ayarbe's powerful prose compels you to turn page after page until, along with protagonist Kyle, you reach the necessary resolution to mind-numbing conflict. This story will stay under your skin for a very long time." - Ellen Hopkins, author of the National Book Award nominee BURNED and the New York Times best-seller IMPULSE