• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 12 to 18

All Seventeen-year-old Jemma wants now is to be a good mom to her baby daughter, Violet. But when she witnesses a violent crime she'll have to choose between keeping her baby or letting a killer walk free.

Jemma's older brother took her in when she needed to get away from her abusive ex-boyfriend, Razor. One night she needs to go out, just for a few minutes, to get diapers and ice cream. On her way back, she witnesses the drive-by shooting of a kid, Kwame, who lives in the same building. The driver is Razor. Jemma is terrified. If she tells anyone what she saw, they'll know she left her baby alone and she might lose custody. But if she doesn't, Kwame's killer will go free. Razor convinces Jemma to make a deal to save her life, but Jemma isn't sure she can live with the consequences.

Born in London, Ontario, Jocelyn always knew she would be a writer. She has attended The Humber School for Writers, and writes for both children and adults. Her award-winning stories have appeared in anthologies, newspapers and magazines. Her books for teens include Getting A Life, Cross My Heart and Seraphina's Circle. Getting a Life and Cross My Heart were Canadian Children's Book Centre "Our Choice" selections. Seraphina's Circle was nominated for the 2007/2008 BC Stellar Award, listed in Resource Links Best of 2006, and featured in the Anne of Green Gables Book Club.

Jocelyn Shipley's profile page

• Commended, YALSA Quick Picks
• Commended, YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

&quotAn interesting and fast paced story. Recommended.&quot

CM Magazine

"Impossible is a short novel with high interest and low vocabulary, perfect for reluctant readers in either a literature circle setting or as an independent read. It's compelling characters and linear plot will work well in middle school classrooms and libraries. The reader will empathize with Jemma, maybe even wonder what they would do faced with the same situation. But overall, Jemma has courage, strength and the maturity to realize that every action will have a consequence, and that one must face that consequence no matter what."

Resource Links

"Presents an excellent dilemma for the main character, Jemma. The reader is right there with her wondering what the best decision is. Impossible is legitimate and believable. The reader will turn the pages to find out what Jemma decides to do in the end."

Suzanne Goulden blog