Texting, Sexting and a Child's Abduction

Sharon M. Draper's new novel: a must read in this tweeting, texting and Facebook-obsessed world

March 13, 2013, New York, NY - Lifelong educator and New York Times best-selling author, Sharon M. Draper, tackles difficult teen issues as well as the worst fears a parent can face in her new book Panic. From bullying to sexting to a child's abduction, Draper's words read like your daughter's diary or your son's tweets. A cautionary tale, Panic tells of a teen who is lured by a predator, and another who unwittingly gets caught up in a sexting scandal.

Draper is no stranger to issues facing our teenagers, having written nine award-winning novels that address teen angst.  In the vein of a modern day Judy Blume, her books handle such subjects with delicacy and discretion, avoiding explicit details.  Draper understands teens and has been astonishingly successful in reaching them with her books.

"I try to give a voice to teens, who might be afraid to speak up about difficult issues, and a platform for parents and teachers to have frank, meaningful discussions with those young people," adds Draper. She is embarking on a nationwide book tour to promote Panic, organized by her publisher Simon & Schuster.

Her previous book, Out of My Mind, has won multiple awards and spent over seven months on the New York Times bestseller list.  A tale for readers from ages eight to eighty-eight, it is a life-changing story of survival and success. Draper is a five-time Coretta Scott King Literary award winner, and six-time White House honoree. An outstanding educator, Draper was honored as the National Teacher of the Year, and has traveled all over the world encouraging and inspiring teachers and those who work with young people.

Panic, Sharon Draper's most powerful novel yet, will make young readers think. Draper's many fans will welcome this latest addition to her growing body of work.

About Panic (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster):

Diamond knows not to get into a car with a stranger. But what if the stranger is well dressed and handsome? On his way to meet his wife and daughter? And casting a movie that very night-a movie in need of a star dancer? What then? Then Diamond might make the wrong decision.

It's a nightmare come true: Diamond Landers has been kidnapped. She was at the mall with a friend, alone for only a few brief minutes-and now she's being held captive, forced to endure horrors beyond what she ever could have dreamed, while her family and friends experience their own torments and wait desperately for any bit of news.

Read an excerpt of Panic.   For more about Draper visit www.sharondraper.com.