Staten Doll

This original novel traces the high school career of an adolescent growing up on Staten Island in the late '80's, a time of tremendous environmental change. Jackie, the narrator, sensitive to the changes within her once comfortable community, because of massive population shifts from the rest of New York City, is also under-going her own transformation. As she enters high school she must deal with inner and outer conflicts reflected by the shifts in her surroundings, sexual awakening, competition with friends, and a fear and hatred of many classmates by whom she wishes to be accepted. The story follows Jackie's metamorphosis from a teenager with low self-esteem, jealousies, and bouts with school bullies, through a slow realization of her own worth, talents, power, and charm.