PHS' Kenny Xu Publishes First Novel

Kenny Xu, a 15-year-old Princeton High School sophomore, has published his first novel after spending a year and a half writing, revising and promoting his 443-page work. 

The young adult novel, Trisk, is the realization of a dream that began for Xu at the age of 8, when he completed his first book. 

"I always had an amazing interest in writing. I wrote four more novels after that," Xu said. "But this is the first novel where I finally decided, 'You know what, I'm going to go the entire way and get it published.'"

Trisk, which centers on a tough, highly competitive fictional sport that has reached mass appeal, is a futuristic tale that also serves as a reflection on social norms and group dynamics.  "I've always been fascinated with how teams interact with each other behind the scenes  -- how they strengthen and build each other up, but can also break each other down," said Xu, who runs cross country, plays tennis, and has also been active in teams sports in the past.

While the work might share elements of the popular Hunger Games franchise, it is not a purely dystopian novel.

"The dystopian aspect just sets the scene," Xu said. "But the point of the novel is hope. The protagonist goes through incredible trials -- through the loss of the most important people in his life -- but he turns out to be someone who has hope."

Trisk is available in print and electronic editions through Amazon and through direct order at www.triskbook.com