News Article

Beth Cooley, associate professor of English at Gonzaga University and chair of its English department, has published "Shelter,” her second novel for young adult readers.

Cooley will read from the book at Auntie’s Bookstore (downtown Spokane) at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7. A portion of the proceeds from books sold at the reading will benefit St. Margaret’s Shelter for Women and Children in Spokane.

The novel, released Nov. 14 by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House, is based on the author’s experiences with homeless women and children at St. Margaret’s. The story follows 15-year-old Lucy Durbin who, after the sudden death of her father, moves with her mother and younger brother from their middle-class suburban home into St. Agatha’s Shelter. Lucy must move beyond her own selfish perspective and learn independence, tolerance and sympathy in order to survive in the shelter.

School Library Journal noted that the book’s “appealing characters and smoothly flowing plot make it a satisfying read.” Kirkus Review wrote, “Cooley creates an impressive, finely defined cast of characters and treats her subject with compassion.”

Cooley won the Delacorte Press Prize for her first novel, “Ostrich Eye,” which was published Jan. 13, 2004. Cooley lives in Spokane with her husband and daughters.

For more information, contact Cooley at cooley@gu.gonzaga.edu or (509) 323-3645.