Mike Conver Releases 'Small Forces'

Tim's strengths far outweigh his learning disability and could be overcome with a little extra help at Jefferson Junior High. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) had been provided which would allow him to go to all his regular classes and receive special help when needed. He could function well in regular classes. But the school's principal thinks otherwise and does not want the extra work of changing the boy's placement.

"Small Forces" written by author Mike Conver explores the small forces which shape peoples' personalities and the ways they interact with others. It tells the story of Tim Morton, a very bright twelve-year-old boy who has trouble reading but seems to remember everything he hears. He is placed full-time in special education classes after he moves to the junior high building. He misses his classmates and is also worried about Andy Morton, his big brother who is his hero but is may be into drugs.

Bob Scott, a junior high teacher recognizes Tim's ability and wanted to put him in his regular division class. But Principal Ed Hines disagrees and wants Tim to remain in a special education class. Against Ed's orders, Bob had Tim attend his regular science class. Ed got angry at Bob. He then accuses him of molesting the boy and eventually, makes a move to have him fired as well. Andy, Tim's older brother, tries to help his friend who is in trouble with a drug pusher; they both get abducted by the drug selling network led by Al Poshard who is a Vietnam War veteran. Will Bob and Tim succeed in rescuing them?

Emphasizing the interactions between adults and children and the forces which form their personalities, "Small Forces" is filled with action and danger and centers around the growth of adolescents in today's schools where drugs are readily available. This book presents characters readers will greatly admire while there are also those they will love to hate. There are adults who are trying to rebuild lives after divorce as well as children who help each other through the rough times.

About the Author
Mike Conver was born and lived in central Illinois, where he taught junior high students many years. He became a counselor for special needs children, then a principal, and finally retired after many years as a school superintendent. Dr. Conver received his master's degree in counseling and his PhD in educational administration from Illinois State University, where he spent several years as an administrator in their Thomas Metcalf Laboratory School. Journalism was the major field of study for his bachelor's degree, and he was a news writer for a television station before deciding he wanted to teach. The change came about after he spent years as a Boy Scout leader, including hiking trips to Philmont Scout Ranch and canoe trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota. Staff Sergeant (E-5) Conver served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War era. After his retirement, he moved to Cadiz, Kentucky, where he lives on Lake Barkley. He has been active in the Rotary Club there and volunteers two days a week at the local primary school where he tutors first graders. Dr. Conver raised two sons as a single parent and has two granddaughters.

Small Forces* by Mike Conver
Publication Date: January 16, 2014
Trade Paperback; $19.99; 309 pages; 978-1-4931-6341-0
Trade Hardback; $29.99; 309 pages; 978-1-4931-6342-7
e-book; $3.99; 978-1-4931-6343-4

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