Asylum 9780802411174

Captivating tale of a neglected boy looking for refugeTen-year-old Ian's parents are killed in a fire that Ian fears may have been his fault. Afraid of being arrested, he runs away and ducks into the first open door he sees. His hideout turns out to be a struggling inner-city church, and Ian is intrigued by the lives of his unwitting hosts. Meanwhile, Ian's aunt is horrified to discover that his parents' deaths were not an accident, and that their murderer is looking for Ian.Editorial ReviewsFrom BooklistAllen's Asylum tells the story of 10-year-old Ian Lane, an Alabama boy whose parents die in a house fire while he is at a baby-sitter's. Seemingly, Ian's parents are such staggering slobs that they burned themselves up while on a drunk. Anyhow, Ian goes to live with kindly Aunt Jo, and Ian is happy with her until the day a grim-faced man comes to talk about the fire. The man scares Ian, and he runs away to Florida, where he finds refuge in a cavernous downtown church. Eventually, the mystery sorts itself out, but the charm of the book lies entirely with naive Ian's scramble to survive and his methodical piecing out of how the adult world works. John MortCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedAbout the AuthorSHORT BIO:NAN CORBITT ALLEN is a writer and musician who has published more than eighty dramatic musicals, sketchbooks, and collections-most written in collaboration with her husband, Dennis. A multiple Dove Award nominee, Nan speaks nationally at conferences and seminars. The Allens have two sons and live in Tennessee.c.2004 LONGER BIO:NAN CORBITT ALLEN is a writer and musician with over 80 published dramatic musicals, sketch books, and collections to her credit. A multiple Dove Award nominee, Nan's lyrics and dramas have been performed all over the U.S. and the world. She leads seminars on writing and has taught at women's and marriage conferences. Nan is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and the Gospel Music Association (GMA). Most of her works were done in collaboration with her husband, Dennis. The couple has two sons and live in Tennessee.5/03