Kim Ablon Whitney Biography

Born in Newton, MA; Education: Tufts University, graduated; Emerson College, M.F.A. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, horseback riding, watching the Red Sox and Celtics.

Addresses

Agent—Shanta Small, Publicist, Random House Children's Books, 1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

Career

Writer.

Honors Awards

Judy Blume grant, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, 2001; New England Children's Book Caucus Discovery Award, PEN, 2002, and Boston Authors Club Recommended Book, included among Booklist Top-Ten YA Romance Novels and Top-Ten Debut YA Novels, Texas Library Association TAYSHAS' Reading List includee, and American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults designation, all 2005, all for See You down the Road.

Writings

See You down the Road, Alfred A. Knopf (New York, NY), 2004.

The Perfect Distance, Alfred A. Knopf (New York, NY), 2005.

Sidelights

Massachusetts native Kim Ablon Whitney is the author of the young-adult novels See You down the Road and The Perfect Distance. See You down the Road tells the
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story of sixteen-year-old Bridget, whose family members are Travelers. Rather than encouraging their children to go to school, be honest, and work hard, Bridget's parents encourage their daughter to stick with the itinerant family in their nomadic lifestyle, as they commit petty crimes and move on. Bridget feels conflicted about her family's lifestyle, and she also begins to feel guilty about stealing. Furthermore, she is old enough to be forced to enter into an arranged marriage with a family friend and fellow Traveler, Patrick. While Bridget has feelings for Patrick, she cannot ignore the fact that their liaison has been arranged and that her future is out of her control. When Bridget learns that her fate is not completely sealed, she also realizes that the option of living a normal life would mean leaving her family and friends forever.

"Whitney's taut story is a fascinating portrait of a teen caught between conflicting moral codes and the pull of family, tradition, and love," stated a Booklist reviewer in appraising See You down the Road. Gillian Engberg, also writing in Booklist, commented that Bridget's first-person narration, sprinkled with raunchy humor and some expletives, is strong and convincing," making the novel "a wholly absorbing read that raised provocative questions about culture, as well as character." A Kirkus Reviews critic commented that "Bridget's final choice, the adventures that lead to it, and the depiction of the Travelers' lives make this a fascinating tale that will hook readers early and keep them thinking."