Professor at Biola University, Paul Buchanan, has recently published a fiction novel titled, The Last Place I Want to Be. The young-adult novel, released March 1, 2009, was inspired by his daughter and tells the story of Amy, a fourteen-year-old girl, who fights through life trials.

Associate Professor of English, Buchanan has been teaching at Biola for more than twenty years. As an avid writer, Buchanan has published more than twenty books including many in children’s fiction and young adult fiction.

In The Last Place I Want to Be, Buchanan’s protagonist, Amy, is a young girl facing many struggles. Her father has decided to change occupations, a decision that will force her to move across the country to Northern California. Amy must leave her home, friends and school newspaper staff behind. Amy turns to God for help and learns that He often works in mysterious ways.

“She’s a bit of a smart aleck and has a temper,” said Buchanan of his character Amy. “But she’s funny, intelligent and articulate. A lot like my own teen daughter.”

Buchanan’s daughter is a sophomore in college and was the main source of inspiration for writing the piece. After contributing ten books to The Misadventures of Willie Plummet series, and five to the Heebie Jeebies series, Buchanan’s daughter complained he had not written anything suitable for girls.

Buchanan’s novel is published by Kregel Publications and is available in selected secular bookstores as well as most Christian bookstores.

Learn more about Biola’s English department.

Purchase “The Last Place I want to be”.

Written By Ashley Shafer, Media Relations Intern.