How beautiful it was, to be destroyed. Eighteen year old Tilla and her nine year old sister travel to Jamaica to spend the summer with their father. Tilla has a complicated relationship with him. She is a daddy’s girl that loves her father very much, but he also has not been present in her life for many years because he spends more time in Jamaica than in their hometown in Canada. When they arrive in Jamaica, their father leaves them with family in the country while he works in Kingston. Tilla has a hard time adjusting to life with family that sees her as an outsider because she “come from foreign.” As their time in Jamaica comes to close, and a dangerous hurricane approaches the island, Tilla must figure out where she fits in, navigate the expectations of her family, and learn how to be who she is all on her own. Read to discover how Tilla finds courage and strength, and like the island after a hurricane, lives to tell the tale.
Michelle Peterson-Davis has over 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator at the secondary and elementary level. Michelle has served as an English Teacher, Reading teacher, building administrator, and K-12 ELA Director. She has served on the New York State English Council board for over 10 years in various capacities, including twice as President. In 2019 the NYSEC board honored her with their highest honor, the Fellow Award, for her service to both the Council and teaching profession. Michelle has presented workshops at local, state, and national conferences. She was a board member on the Long Island Language Arts Council, has participated on an advisory panel between P-12 and higher education on Long Island, and facilitates collegial circles for ELA leaders. In addition, Michelle has served on the New York State Education Department Content Advisory Panel for ELA for over 10 years. Michelle is a wife, dog mom, avid reader, and beach lover.