My books are provocative by nature. They deal with subject matters many adults might feel uncomfortable talking about. I try to show these topics honestly without preaching or judging. These books show the truth as I have seen it and hopefully, they provoke discussion and thought.

So when I wrote my new YA novel Surf Mules, I didn’t set out to write a book about drug smugglers for teens. But the story knows what it wants to be and in the end, it was the characters that dictated the story. They came alive and lead me to places I never could have imaged earlier. I didn't question their direction. Instead, like a good journalist, I followed them around and recorded their actions.

So what is Surf Mules really about? In a word: choices: the choices we make when we leave our adolescence behind--along with the friends and lifestyles that go with them. Two lifelong surfers, whose only dream of the future was to surf their days away, must now confront the cold hard reality of adulthood and whether or not to abandon the only life they've ever known. Thrown for a loop by the death of another buddy, they are offered an easy way to keep their dream alive...becoming surf mules. They take a stab at the easy way out, only to find out nothing in life comes easy.

Walking into an uncertain future after high school is a scary and foreboding moment. How we do it and whether we make a true break from the past or try to hold onto our childhood can sometimes lead to missteps that can take us down the wrong path.

I'd like to think that my books can plant seeds in young people's head, so when they encounter these situations in real life, they might have some knowledge to help them navigate through these waters. Just saying no does nothing. Teens are young adults and need to be treated as such, with honesty and directness. I try to present all sides of an argument and let the readers decide for themselves how they feel about the issue. And that’s why I write books: its one of the last medium that truly allow you to think for yourself and interpret the actions going on before your eyes.

There are so many great YA novels out there on tough subjects and I think they can be used as a powerful tool for learning. Many come with teacher’s guides, but for those that don’t, begin a discussion with your students. Visit the author’s website to gain more insight to help turn a work of fiction into a reality based talk. These books are an invaluable way to gain a personal take on a subject that allows the students walk in a character’s shoes.

www.gregneri.com