Welcome to High School, Christopher Thomas is the first in a series of books filled with humor, action, and romance that explores the lives of teenagers growing up in the fifties. The story focuses on Christopher Thomas, a fourteen-year-old boy who is on the verge of greatness, but he doesn't know it. Chris often feels inadequate around his friends as they partake in daredevil antics, excel at sports, and successfully make dates with pretty girls. He desperately wants to be popular at school so he compensates for his insecurities by doing hilarious impressions of teachers and telling scary, entertaining stories to his friends over at Yorkie's Place-the local diner. Chris's brother, Charles, acts as the gang's conscience, Nick is the handsome jock, "Goodie" is the sensitive artist, and the enigmatic rebel of the bunch is simply called Porter. Set against a backdrop of American Bandstand, sock hops, and jukeboxes, the atmosphere is reminiscent of the young adult novel The Outsiders, the musical Grease, and the classic television show Happy Days. This was a time when families ate dinner together every evening and went to church together every Sunday. As Chris prepares for his freshman year at Wilson High School, he worries continuously about being able to gain acceptance. If he can get a date to the Homecoming Dance he would win approval from his gang of friends and others at school and his reputation would be secure, or so he thinks. Unfortunately, it's a turnaround dance which means the girls ask the guys-enter Elizabeth Allen, the prettiest girl at Wilson High. After showing off for Elizabeth at sports, storytelling, and joyriding in his uncle's '57 Chevy Corvette, Chris thinks securing a date with her to the big dance is a sure thing. Unfortunately, before Elizabeth makes her move, the first girl to ask him to the dance is the socially awkward Kimmie Fitzgerald, a very unpopular girl he has known all his life. What will he do? Readers will be entertained by Chris's humorous impressions of his teachers and his scary stories about "a killer on the loose" and "the Legend of Shoonuckha." They will enjoy a daredevil stunt gone wrong, an exciting baseball game filled with action, and a memorable Homecoming Dance that reflects the true style and charisma of the fifties. Christopher Thomas is a young man of integrity not because he has all the answers, but because he strives to find them, and he knows where to look. Young readers will learn how he gains acceptance from his peers by following his heart instead of popular opinions.
Chris Merante has been a successful high school English teacher in the Greece Central School District for twenty years. In that time, he has earned awards and praise from his colleagues and students. His efforts were recognized in 2008 when students voted for Chris to speak at the commencement ceremony. In front of an audience of nearly three thousand people, at the historic Eastman Theater, Chris shared his views on life with the graduates by using humor and humility. Throughout his career, Chris has taught American Literature, British Literature, Creative Writing, College Writing, Shakespeare, Media Literacy, Public Performance, Poetry, Reading Remediation, and Film Appreciation. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education while graduating Magna Cum Laude from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York. He earned a Master's Degree in Literacy while graduating with honors from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York where he lives with his wife and their four children. For more information check out Chris's website at chrismerante.com.
