The Ticket

By: Debra Coleman Jeter

Narrated by: Denise Unrau

Tray Dunaway, an ordinary teenager from a poor Southern family, longs to become part of the popular clique at school. Her mother, Evelyn, lies in bed most days with her bipolar tendency toward extreme highs or desperate lows. Meanwhile, Tray’s grandmother Ginny, still grieving over the loss of her husband, would love to move out and find a place of her own. Maybe even a bit of romance to replace the loss she feels. But given the sorry state of the family’s finances, that’s not possible.

Then the Dunaways’ luck changes. Or so it seems.

Tray’s father drives a down-and-out friend of the family, Pee Wee Johnson, to Hazard, Illinois, so Johnson can buy lottery tickets. As a gesture of thanks, Johnson gives a ticket to Tray’s father. And what do you know? The Dunaways’ are suddenly rich.

When Johnson demands his cut of the winnings, Tray’s dad refuses. As Evelyn’s illness spirals toward madness, Johnson threatens the family. Now, what seems like a stroke of good fortune becomes a dangerous game of life and death for Tray Dunaway and her family.

Made for the general market (G) (I): Contains little or no sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language. May also contain some content of an inspirational/religious nature. Similar young-adult fiction novels in this genre may be categorized as: teen fiction, inspirational YA fiction, Christian fiction, and clean, wholesome young-adult fiction.

©2015 Debra Coleman Jeter (P)2018 Debra Coleman Jeter

Critic reviews

"Jeter's novel considers the problems that might follow a sudden windfall." (Publishers Weekly)

"One would be hard-pressed not to root for the likable protagonist and hope that her story eventually ends with a happy ending. 4 Stars! " (Romantic Times Book Reviews)