Blog Tour & Excerpt Reveal: Antipodes by Michele Bacon

Antipodes

By  Michele Bacon

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Publication Date: April 3rd, 2018 by Sky Pony Press

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When Erin Cerise steps off her plane in Christchurch, New Zealand, she is focused intently on her mission: do something unique that will erase the mess she made of her life on her 17th birthday. She’s already lost her swim team captainship, her boyfriend Ben, and her reputation. Her mother is certain studying abroad will regain Erin’s chances of a good future. Once Erin sees her uninspiring host family and city, though, she’s not so sure.

Before Christchurch, Erin wasn’t always intense and focused. Years ago, a mission sounded like a fun adventure, and the only ivy she cared about was the stuff growing around her grandparents’ back porch at their peaceful Upper Peninsula home. When had her priorities gone upside down?

Now Erin balks at NZ’s itchy school uniforms, cold houses, and her hosts’ utter inability to pronounce her name correctly. Christchurch does boast amazing rock climbing, gorgeous scenery, and at least one guy who could make her forget Ben if she lets him. With months ahead of her, Erin slowly begins to draw on the years behind her, one step back into her memories at a time. As she rebuilds her life from the other side of the world, she finds that when life turns your world upside down and you’re far from home, every way you move takes you closer to where you came from.

When Erin Cerise steps off her plane in Christchurch, New Zealand, she is focused intently on her mission: do something unique that will erase the mess she made of her life on her 17th birthday. With months ahead of her, Erin slowly begins to draw on the years behind her, one step back into her memories at a time. This excerpt is from one of those behind chapters.

Wheaton is Erin’s high school in the States. Claire is Erin’s mother.

Wheaton’s head guidance counselor, Mrs. Brown, monitored the emotional ebb and flow of two thousand students. After Grandma Tea died, Mrs. Brown had left a little purple note with Erin’s first-period teacher. When Erin started fighting with her boyfriend freshman year, Mrs. Brown had sent a flurry of purple notes inviting her to talk. 

Erin had ignored all the purple notes and visited the stuffy office only to discuss college strategy. 

One of Mrs. Brown’s chairs housed a sloppy pile of paperwork in an array of colors. In the chair usually reserved for students, Claire sat pursing her lips and tapping on her phone. 

Everything about Mrs. Brown—smile, eyes, arms, body— sagged in pity when she saw Erin. She caught herself and tried to smile. “Miss Cerise. I’m so glad you’re here.” 

She closed the door behind Erin, and Claire stood so Erin would sit. 

Claire crossed her arms and glared at her daughter. “I talked to Principal Drouin about cyberbullying and this weekend’s fiasco; she’s handling it. Mrs. Brown and I have a solution to the other problem. Getting into Columbia— or any Ivy, really, at this point—requires something unique. 

“Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra makes you different, but we must show breadth of interest and uniqueness. Did you know that only a fraction of one percent of high school studentsstudy abroad? That will make you unique. There are spots available.” 

Erin picked the cuticle of her left thumb, parting it from her flesh. 

“And you can choose where you go.” Mrs. Brown navigated between several websites and her inbox. “There are maybe ten options left. Let’s see. Moscow. How’s your Russian?” 

“Spanish,” Claire said. 

“I know,” Mrs. Brown said. “Unfortunately, everyone has been pushed into Spanish when we really should be learning Mandarin. Soon the whole world will need Chinese.” 

“So, China?” Erin said. 

“No. I was saying that everyone and his brother takes Spanish. So, Spain and Mexico go first. You passed on Moscow. We have Jordan.” 

“Absolutely not,” Claire said. 

“The Netherlands, Russia, Brazil, Greece.” 

“Even with the best tutors, she can’t learn any of those languages in time,” Claire said. 

Mrs. Brown returned to her computer. “The only English-speaking countries we have are Nigeria, New Zealand, and Scotland. That one’s Edinburgh.” 

“She’s not going to Nigeria,” Claire said. 

“Okay. Scotland and New Zealand.” 

“Your choice!” Claire raised her eyebrows in expectation. 

Michele Bacon writes contemporary fiction for adults and young adults. She often writes about family, friendship, and the blurred line between those two ideas. Michele geeks out over many things, but especially board games, skiing, and international travel. She recently spent a year on sabbatical in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she may have left her heart at Ilam School. Wherever Michele is in the world, she is drawn to people’s stories, so she wants to hear how you met your best friend or fell in love with your partner. She lives in Seattle with her husband and three young children.