Title: THINGS WE WEREN’T SUPPOSED TO KNOW
Word Count: 63,000
Special Question: Luke Skywalker because Elspeth Fairfax wants nothing more than to break free
from her powerful (possibly evil) family.
Pitch:
To fight their boarding school's book ban, rich-girl Elspeth and scholarship-girl Robin run an underground library. After the school's librarian is murdered, the girls try to discover if Holmes Academy is hiding more than novels.
First 250 words:
I thought I would feel prouder when my father told me I was a disappointment to the Fairfax name. After all, I've spent fourteen years trying not to end up like them. I just didn't think it would happen this way. Or that it would hurt.
At least I don't have to stay in that house. One advantage of boarding school is escaping from my parents and who they think I should be. My father doesn't look up from the blue light of his phone when he parks outside the dorm. Not even when I slam the car door. It's pouring rain and I'm still damp when I take a seat on the floor next to Robin for the house meeting.
"How was your weekend?" She whispers.
I shrug, avoiding her eyes.
Robin tries to ask another question but Miss Crumbury claps three times like she's trying to get the attention of a dog. A couple of fourth-years whisper through the preliminary announcement about ramen noodles clogging the kitchen sink.
About the time they usually tell us what to expect for the upcoming week, Mrs. Holcomb stands up. She's a thin, grey-haired woman who likes to sit in the corner of the room like a spider waiting to pounce.
"Now, I have something very serious to discuss with all of you. I would appreciate your undivided attention." Even the fourth-years stop talking.
"I received a call from Headmaster Griggs. The trustees and the school have deemed this list of books inappropriate for young ladies.
First 250 words:
I thought I would feel prouder when my father told me I was a disappointment to the Fairfax name. After all, I've spent fourteen years trying not to end up like them. I just didn't think it would happen this way. Or that it would hurt.
At least I don't have to stay in that house. One advantage of boarding school is escaping from my parents and who they think I should be. My father doesn't look up from the blue light of his phone when he parks outside the dorm. Not even when I slam the car door. It's pouring rain and I'm still damp when I take a seat on the floor next to Robin for the house meeting.
"How was your weekend?" She whispers.
I shrug, avoiding her eyes.
Robin tries to ask another question but Miss Crumbury claps three times like she's trying to get the attention of a dog. A couple of fourth-years whisper through the preliminary announcement about ramen noodles clogging the kitchen sink.
About the time they usually tell us what to expect for the upcoming week, Mrs. Holcomb stands up. She's a thin, grey-haired woman who likes to sit in the corner of the room like a spider waiting to pounce.
"Now, I have something very serious to discuss with all of you. I would appreciate your undivided attention." Even the fourth-years stop talking.
"I received a call from Headmaster Griggs. The trustees and the school have deemed this list of books inappropriate for young ladies.
