Mentor Resident Explores 'Athlete-Obsessed' Culture in New Book

In just a few years, a Mentor resident morphed her college class project and an idea into a book now available at retailers like Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

With Medallion Press, Rachele Alpine released her first book, CANARY, online and in stores last week. The young adult book was inspired by a poem Alpine wrote in college, as well as what the author considers a culture of athletic obsession.

"Some major controversies involving both professional and college athletes were all over the news, and it got me thinking about the special privileges that athletes got," Alpine wrote in an email. "I began to think about this type of athlete worship in high school and what might happen if it went too far."

Readers will learn about the possibilities through the story of the main character, Kate Franklin. The teen "quickly gets caught up in a world of idolatry and entitlement" after dating a star basketball player at the private school where her father recently got a job, according to Alpine's description.

Alpine is a 10th grade language arts teacher at Perry High School. Summers gave her more time to write CANARY, while students assisted in its revision during the school year.

"They gave me some really great advice," she said. "It’s been really great to have them be a part of this with me, especially since this is a novel for teenagers."

Alpine hopes the primary teen in her book, Kate, will inspire young readers to stand up for themselves in difficult situations.

"The most important message to me is that you should always speak up no matter what the situation is or what you fear the consequences might be," Alpine said. "Speak up no matter how hard it is.  There will be someone who will listen to you."

Find Alpine on Facebook and Twitter.