About the Novels of Joyce McDonald Joyce McDonald is a new and powerful voice in thriller fiction for teenagers. Like Lois Duncan's protagonists, McDonald's teenage characters stumble into dangerous territory, and along the way must make moral and ethical decisions that will fundamentally affect their future. Whether it's computer crime, a stray gunshot, arson, or an accidental murder, McDonald promises her readers a gripping story. Her characters might be recognizable from the nightly news or the front pages of local newspapers, but the consequences they suffer turn their misdeeds into a “reality check” for teen readers and force them to think about the serious outcomes of teenage crime in the United States. Pre-Reading Activity Have the group investigate the gun laws in your city and state. What is the purpose of gun registration? Are there laws regarding the use of guns within the city limits? What are the penalties for breaking gun laws?