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Jonathan LaPoma
Author
Developing Minds: An American Ghost Story

Adult; General Fiction (including literary and historical); (Market)

DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY follows a group of recent college graduates who struggle with feelings of alienation and their addictions as they try to survive a year of teaching at two dysfunctional Miami public schools. A poetic and insightful coming-of-age novel, DEVELOPING MINDS is centered on 24-year-old Luke Entelechy, an aspiring writer who sees his creative output suffer when he begins teaching at one of Miami’s most challenging middle schools. As the year progresses, however, Luke begins to relate to the neglect and abuse his students suffer, and is faced with a “haunting” decision: continue to let his dark past destroy him, or rise above the struggle to realize his potential as an artist and a

Reviews
Kirkus Reviews

“Inspired by his own travels, screenwriter and author LaPoma’s narrative is raw and edgy, effectively anchored by two protagonists whose brio and “same sense of adventure” keep the story alive . . . Entertaining and authentic look at the troubled American educational system, courtesy of two men propelled by perseverance and adventuresome spirits.”

— Kirkus Reviews, Recommended Review

Midwest Book Review

“Sometimes the meat of a title lies not in fire and flames, but in simmering passion. Such is the nature of the coming-of-age experience depicted in Developing Minds, which offers a multi-faceted exploration of growth, maturity, and eventual transformation on the parts of all involved.”

— D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Readers' Favorite

“Should be required reading for anyone who is considering or has ever considered teaching as a career . . . most highly recommended.”

— Jack Magnus, Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review

Readers' Favorite

“Readers will be gripped by the many dimensions the plot has to offer . . . The story is honest, authentic, entertaining and poignant, and the contrasting images of a young man trying to grow in his personal life and the failures of the Miami school system have been woven together well without sounding forced.”

— Mamata Madhaven, Readers’ Favorite, 5-Star Review

Red City Review

“Poignant, engaging . . . a frighteningly accurate depiction of inner-city schools . . . a full-bodied work of fiction that will ring true with both students and teachers and provide a point of hope in an industry that has become increasingly profit-minded and complex.”

— Red City Review

San Francisco Book Review

“Incredibly artistic . . . The vast majority of college grads will relate with themes of alienation, addiction, and misguided hopes . . . Filled with drama and drugs, this novel is raw and endearing. It teeters on the edge of obscene, but really stays true to the life of an early 20-year old, amidst the drama and guise of self-discovery. Instead of idealizing public schools or idolizing functional drug addicts, it just lays out the truth.”

— San Francisco Book Review

The Book Eaters

“This book is incredibly raw . . . about as far removed from ‘Dead Poets Society’ as you can get.”

— Gem L Thompson, The Book Eaters

News
12/02/2015
DEVELOPING MINDS a #1 Amazon Best Seller

Jonathan LaPoma's coming-of-age novel DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY is a #1 Amazon Best Seller in the "Satire" and "Urban Life" categories. 

10/07/2015
DEVELOPING MINDS Wins Stargazer Literary Prizes

The Stargazer Literary Prizes has selected Jonathan LaPoma's coming-of-age novel DEVELOPING MINDS: AN AMERICAN GHOST STORY as the winner of their 2015 competition (Visionary and Metaphysical Fiction category). 

Developing Minds is a raunchy, yet captivating story of two best friends, one gay, one not, who decide to spend a year teaching in the dysfunctional Miami school district . . . Jonathan LaPoma is an extraordinary writer.”

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