Now, St. Martin’s Press will release her second YA novel, a love story about two star-crossed teenagers who
overcome their debilitating fears together: THE RADIUS OF US (publication date: January 17, 2017/
hardcover, $18.99). Inspired by Marquardt’s research, friendship, and advocacy with Latin American teenagers fleeing gang violence and seeking asylum in the United States, the novel takes an unflinching look at the
terrible hardships these young people face by exploring the emotional landscape of their experiences. At a time
when the issues surrounding undocumented immigration and deportation have reached a fever pitch, THE
RADIUS OF US offers its readers a happy and uplifting outcome for a scenario that so often ends in tragedy in
the real world.
Gretchen Ashland is a sheltered and privileged white girl living in a posh Atlanta suburb. Phoenix Flores Flores
is an El Salvadoran teenager who’s fled his country to save his twelve-year-old brother Ari—and himself—
from being forced into a life of gangs. After a disastrous journey through Mexico that landed him in detention
and separated him from Ari (who has lost his ability to speak because of the traumatic experience), Phoenix has
found temporary shelter with a couple he describes as“sweet churchy lesbians” in Gretchen’s neighborhood.
With a monitoring bracelet around his ankle to keep him within a twenty mile radius, he manages a community
garden project and tries to keep a low profile. On the surface the two teens have nothing in common, yet they
find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. They discover that they both have been victims of gang
violence and as a result, fear rules their lives. As they fall in love with each other, Gretchen and Phoenix learn
to face the terrors that are holding them back and imagine a future together.
Told in alternating first person points of view, THE RADIUS OF US celebrates the magic of a first kiss, the
unbreakable bond between siblings, and the possibilities inherent in forgiveness, redemption and reinvention.
The book also offers an intimate glimpse into the causes and devastating impact of Latino gang violence, both
in the United States and in Central America, and shows the risks that victims take when they seek new
beginnings. Most importantly, Marie Marquardt’s novel shows how people struggling to overcome trauma can
find healing in love.
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REVIEW!!!
Phoenix is in Georgia waiting to find out if he will be sent back to El Savador and worrying about his brother who is currently in Texas. Gretchen is working past a traumatic experience she had a while back. She was struggling until with being in public and panic attacks until the day she meets Phoenix. Can these two heal each other? Can they feel comfortable with each other? Can they make something work and stay together? Will Phoenix get to stay and get his brother back?
I absolutely loved this book. This is a great story about something that you wouldn’t normally see in a book, especially a YA book. I loved the characters and fell in love with them quickly. The plot was intense and deep but really good. Even the flow and pace were good and worked well with the characters. The authors writing style was fun and dynamic.
If you are looking for an intense book then look no further. However, it isn’t just intense though. It is fun and deep and sweet. There were so many emotions floating through me as I read this book. I laughed, I cried and wanted to throw my kindle across the office…lol. Such a great book with some good lessons to teach/learn. Thank you for an amazing book!
5 stars!
~~~~****~~~~****~~~~
Marie Marquardt is an author of young adult
novels, a college professor, and an
immigration advocate. Her debut novel,
Dream Things True (St. Martin’s Press), was
a 2015 YA BEA Buzz Panel choice praised
in Kirkus as a “worthy examination of
undocumented immigration in the American
South through the lens of young love.”
Her second novel, THE RADIUS OF US,
will be published by St. Martin’s Press in
January 2017. Uplifting and hopeful, THE
RADIUS OF US reflects the experience of Latin American teenagers fleeing gang violence and
seeking asylum in the United States and the possibilities for change. It’s an issue that Marie
Marquardt cares about profoundly, and she believes that connecting to it emotionally it can be a
powerful antidote to the hate, fear, and misunderstanding that plagues our society.
“When I speak to groups about immigration and the need for immigration reform, I can offer
clear, rational explanations and data on why our immigration system needs to be repaired,”
Marquardt says. “But they only begin to care when they meet and get to know someone who is
stuck in between. Writing a fictional (but very real) story brings readers into intimate, personal
engagement with a messy, complicated, political situation.”
Dr. Marquardt is a Scholar-in-Residence at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and
has been an advocate for social justice for Latin American immigrants in the South for two
decades. She has published many articles and co-authored two non-fiction books on the issues
involved and has been interviewed on National Public Radio, Public Radio International, and
BBC America, among many other media outlets. She is also the co-chair of El Refugio, a
Georgia non-profit that serves detained immigrants and their families.
Marie Marquardt is a proud member of the We Need Diverse Books team and lives in a busy
household in Decatur, Georgia with her spouse, four children, a dog and a bearded dragon.
For more information, visit:
www.mariemarquardt.com
http://candler.emory.edu/faculty/profiles/marquardt-marie.html
Follow her on Twitter: @MarieFMarquardt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariemarquardtauthor
LAUNCH EVENTS FOR THE RADIUS OF US
LITTLE SHOP OF STORIES
Saturday, January 14th 2017 at 7:00 PM
133A East Court Square, Decatur, Georgia 300030
BARNES & NOBLE AT EMORY UNIVERSITY
Thursday, January 19
th 2017 at 7:00 PM
1390 Oxford Road, Atlanta, GA 30322
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