Books with author Martin Windrow

Book One in a two-book series. Juvenile delinquency in the 1970s. The first generation of bussing in Michigan. The children of divorce, edging into the punk and hip-hop subcultures. Rust Belt romance. Love, Michigan style. The story is told by fifteen-year-old Tria Stone. She’s a tough girl, but she has her share of problems. With her family falling apart, she’s left with a broken home in a decaying neighborhood. With the decline of the auto industry, the condition of her city mirrors her personal life. Without her father and brother, she seeks a new family, or at least a boyfriend: "I’d had a crush on Big Wick since forever, figured it was time to do something about it. He’d transferred to the high school last year when I started eighth grade, but I’d still see him at Someplace Else, watch him snap his wrist, thunk the foosball into the goal, rack up the pool balls, clunk the puck into the air-hockey slot, knock up the free games on Captain Fantastic." These teenagers are part of the first generation of bussing in Michigan, but they are more connected with the working-class ethos of the past and with things to come--the children of divorce, edging toward the punk and hip-hop subcultures."I have fallen madly in love with Tria! Winch writes such an amazingly touching story about a day in the life of a very broken young woman. Winch beautifully balances the gruff Detroit voice with the anxiety and insecurity of an adolescent girl. He dives deep into the inner workings of Tria allowing us to see her true, honest voice as she balances love, loss, and life with her two friends. Wick and Rook. She is such an incredible girl that I couldn't help but love her immediately. The writing in this is excellent; it is entertaining and enlightening at once. You can read this book alone (the ending of it is satisfying on its own) or pair it with the second part."-- Daniale Lynch

Book Two in a two-book series. Coming of age in urban decay. Inner city juvenile delinquency in the 1970s. Rust belt romance. Love, Michigan style."In this second part of Junk Like That, we continue on with Tria as she endures a day of school. With Rook and Wick, she tortures teachers, protect friends, and try to learn a little bit about herself. She is a character that has stuck with me, and I'm still thinking about sweet Tria. These kids force you to care about them and want to help them. You want to shout "don't do that!!!" while offerning them a stable home and good food. The whole novel is filled with the harsh reality facing adolescents, but somehow it has hope. Winch's writing is once more beautiful to read, and his descriptions of the experiences around the trio of friends pulls me right into their world. An incredible novel."Daniale Lynch (English Teacher)