Wild Orchid (Red Deer Press, 2005) is a teen novel about the search for independence. Taylor Jane Simon is an 18 year old girl with Asperger’s Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism. When she discovers she has to accompany her mom to Waskesiu Lake for the summer, she freaks out. Taylor hates change so much! But due to her ingenuity and perseverance, the summer turns out to be not so bad. She gets her first job. She sees her first real play—The Birthday Party--a unique look at social interaction by Nobel prize winning playwright Harold Pinter. And she makes headway in reaching a personal goal—acquiring a boyfriend.
For more information about Asperger’s Syndrome, seek an Autism Support network in your community, or search Dr. Tony Attwood’s website: www.tonyattwood.com.
Waskesiu is a real town, located in Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan, Canada. It’s gorgeous there—go visit if you can!
My dad took these photographs in the 1970s, after he retired from his job at the university teaching English and History in the School of Agriculture. I am so glad that his retirement took him to new and interesting activities. His photo of the small round-leaved orchid is on the cover of Wild Orchid. Dad passed away in 1993 but he would have been very proud of this showcasing of his talent.
Round-leaved orchid
Photo by A.A. Stilborn, 1977
taken in Prince Albert National Park
Used on the cover of Wild Orchid
Here is a picture of me with my book. It was taken by my photographer friend, Lisa. Talk about a great photographer! Go to her website for more information about her entrepreneurial skills: www.shutterbugphoto.ca
