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

Liberty Hayes has just moved to Sutter's Crossing and is the talk of the town.

She has plenty of money and everyone wants to be her friend. When Liberty accuses a male teacher of sexually assaulting her, the rumors start. Val, her new best friend, is torn between believing Liberty and trusting her old friend Ryan when it comes to the truth. What is the trouble with Liberty?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

After nearly 30 years as a published author, Kristin has written more biographies of herself than she cares to remember. And she has run out of new ways to describe the same old life. Besides, she doesn't think of herself in terms of her birthplace, education, and work history. What she'd really like people to know about her is that she loves to dance. She loves to laugh. She loves to learn. Crossword puzzles relax her. Waiting frustrates her. She likes spending time by herself. And, like the heroine in her new book Closer to Far Away, she has a family that gives her strength. Her books include Cheat, Girls Like Me, The Druid and the Dragon, and Alibi. Kristin lives in Campbell River, British Columbia.

Kristin Butcher's profile page

• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice

"[A] well-written, fast-paced novella that will hook readers. Even though it is geared toward reluctant readers, many teens will be able to relate to the situations."

School Library Journal

"Everyone who has gone to high school has met a manipulator like Liberty...This book was an absolute page-turner...Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine

"Butcher accurately captures the gossipy social milieu of a school and a small community...Recommended."

Canadian Book Review Annual

"A well-written novel with believable characters and colourful expressions."

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