Christine Kohler

May 13, 2017 3:29 PM EDT

Wonderful post! In this day and age of "fake news" and lies, one appreciates truth. This made NO SURRENDER SOLDIER even better. I truly think it should be required reading in schools. Wonderful story. I think teens appreciate honesty even more, as they seem to be fed a daily diet of deceit. One teen recently told me "you have no idea how hard school is these days." Truthfully, I wouldn't know, as I graduated 45 years ago. I have an inkling, though, when I see what the world is coming to.

- Kathy

May 13, 2017 4:24 PM EDT

Thank you, Kathy, for your honesty! :-) I hadn't even thought of "fake news" when I wrote this post, although it is a topic in a new YA novel I've been writing. But, you are absolutely correct. It must be more confusing and frustrating for young people as they try to make sense of black and white and 50 shades of gray (or more). The last thing we want is for young people to buy into the rationalizations, justifying "white" lies and shades of gray. Adults on all levels of society are not setting good examples by spewing, spreading, condoning fake news. Those of us who are in role model positions need to be honest, forthright, and truthful. If not, young people will be justified in calling as liars, cheats, and hypocrites. Thank you for posting and bringing up this timely topic of fake news vs. truth-telling.

- Christine Kohler