I wrote this when I was 13 going on 14, mostly in a summer vacation rental in Toms River, NJ. It was August of 1977 and disco, then punk rock, were about to be sprung upon the world… as well as Elvis Presley’s death… but until then, stoners, dirtbikes, FM radio, and TV cop shows still reigned, and it was an exciting time to be a teen. It never had a proper title, but I’m calling it Junior Summer, as most of the kids in it were after or before their junior year in high school. It’s a problem novel. The kids involved have lots of problems… you’ll see….
I’ve kept it in its original chapters but the section headers have been added by me as an adult. I’ve also had to do more editing than I’d thought, just to make it readable (but note that is also the case with professionally published fiction.)
WARNING: The teens smoke, take drugs, drink, curse, and have (non-explicit, fairly innocuous) sex.
If you want to read the chapters and don’t have the access privileges (getting a 404 file not found message) email me, trece_angulo *AT* yahoo.com, and I will give them to you.
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Junior Summer, a 1970s Teen Novel
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Chapter One
Introducing Ron the edgy loner
In which we meet one of the two main protagonists, who lives with his independent mother and Italian grandmother.
Sibling rivalry
We meet Ron’s best friend, put-upon would-be stoner Daniel, his bitchy sister Carol, and baby brother Mikey.
Improv in the park
The kids entertain themselves in this pre-cable, pre-iPod, pre-computer game age by putting on impromptu comedy sketches in the local playground.
Trouble at home
Daniel makes a troubling discovery involving his sister.
Ron and Stevie take a walk
The two visit Daniel at his house and hang out.
Chapter Two
Breakfast with Mrs. Lenola
Mrs. Lenola muses on her children, and Daniel manipulates his mother to worm his way out of getting his hair cut.
Ron’s world is shattered
Tragedy strikes as the friends are about to go see Star Wars.
Aftermath
Ron realizes he has to face life alone.
Chapter Three
Daniel seeks advice
Daniel confesses a serious family problem to a neighbor.
Paint it black
Ron attends a funeral and is informed of major changes in his life.
Strawberry fields forever
Ron, Daniel, and Stevie have a farewell party in the woods before two of them depart on summer vacation.
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Chapter Four
Welcome to Asbury Park
Ron visits his cousins at the Jersey shore.
Field of dreams
Daniel attends a summer music workshop and falls in love with a classmate.
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Junior Summer, a 1970s Teen Novel, is (c) 2009 by Tracy Angulo. This work may not be reproduced or otherwise published without my permission.
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