Bonnie's Law, The Return to Fairness
GENRE
YOUNG ADULT DRAMA LGBT
Core Theme
FAIRNESS, CONVICTION, PERSEVERANCE, JUSTICE
TIME PERIOD
1980s & '90s
COMPARABLE TITLES
GIFTED (2017)
CHARACTER LIST
• MOLLY ALVIN (F/CHILDHOOD—20S) — LEAD. PRODIGIOUS, STRONG-WILLED, UPSTANDING, EMPATHETIC, AMBITIOUS.
• BONNIE MARTINEZ (F/CHILDHOOD—LATE TEENS) — SUPPORTING. MOLLY’S CHILDHOOD BEST FRIEND AND LATER HER LOVER. COMPASSIONATE, LOYAL, SUPPORTIVE, LATINA.
• MICHELLE ALVIN (F/30S—50S) — SUPPORTING. MOLLY’S MOTHER. MATURE, REASONED, TRUSTING.
• WILLIS ALVIN (M/30S—50S) — SUPPORTING. MOLLY’S FATHER. BRAINY, LOVING, SUPPORTIVE.
• MR. BOLTON (M/50S/60S) — SUPPORTING. MOLLY AND BONNIE’S SCHOOL TEACHER. RACIST, PETULANT, BELLIGERENT, SCORNFUL.
• BIG BOB PITTMAN (M/50S—60S) — SUPPORTING. BELOVED LOCAL RADIO HOST. DUTIFUL, WELL-MEANING, WELL-RESPECTED, INFLUENT
Logline
Molly and Bonnie grew up with worry a Presidential veto would bring the loss of truth and trust. Truth and trust weren't the only losses Molly would endure. Her path to bring fairness back began in high school and years later, she was in the halls of Congress to fight for, Bonnie's Law.
Target Audiences
Age: 7-12,13-17,18-34
Target Gender: Female Leaning
Setting
The fictional town of, River City
Based on a True Story
Yes
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: with a Publisher
Publisher: MindStir Media
Year Published: 2022
Starting Description
Molly Alvin awakes from a coma to realize her worst nightmares have come true. She believed the horrific fire that killed seventeen of her friends and confined her to a wheelchair for life, was the result of the Presidential veto she and Bonnie had been aware of since high school.
Ending Description
Convincing Americans the need for truth and trust was paying off. Senator Molly traveled the country and rallied citizens to pressure their Representatives to pass "Bonnie's Law." After losing by one vote, Senator Molly Melissa Alvin filed to run for President of the United States!
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
Yes
ISBN
979-8-9854000-2-1
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Meaningful Message,Happy Ending
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain,Quest,Rebellion Against 'The One',Tragedy
Main Character Details
Name: Molly Melissa Alvin
Age: 2-40
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Charming,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Engaging,Gracious,Educated,Honorable,Leader,Modest,Blunt,Selfless,Outspoken,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Bonnie Martinez
Age: 10-18
Gender: Female
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Charming,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Engaging,Educated,Honorable,Leader,Modest,Blunt,Selfless,Funny,Romantic,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Genre
DRAMA, LGBT, YOUNG ADULT
Brief
Headstrong paraplegic Molly Alvin decides to run for US Senate, having grown fed up with the poisonous and racist organizations that have been given credence by the Reagan administration’s deregulations. As Molly heads off to Washington, we flash back to a year-by- year account of her childhood and coming-of-age, where we get to know Molly as a child prodigy with firm and noble convictions. We follow Molly as she finds love in the form of her best friend Bonnie, as she becomes civically involved, cares for a mistreated mare, and as she endures tragedy when Bonnie suddenly passes away. Years after Bonnie’s death, Molly steels herself for her senatorial run, ultimately winning. But when her fairness in broadcasting initiative is vetoed, she files to run for the office of the President herself...
Overall Rating
GOOD
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: FAIR
Theme: EXCELLENT
Accuracy of Book Profile
It feels like both the log line and the short summary fail to touch on the main meat of the story, instead merely annotating the book end story element. In that Molly as a child growing up dominates this story, it should probably factor into the aforementioned sections. Also, the about the author section includes writing about what reviews the author’s other books got from TaleFlick. This did not seem prudent to include there— This is a place for the author to tell us about who he is and to iterate his credibility. This should be a draft for what is in the back of the book, if not what is in the back of the book itself.
Draw of Story
What drew this reader into the story immediately was the cleanliness and the accessibility of the author’s writing style— The prose proves to be clean, simple, and presentable. It never distracts from or overpowers the story and characters.
Possible Drawbacks
There were times where I questioned whether certain passages were worthwhile enough to warrant inclusion. As a couple of top-of-mind examples, there seemed to be a tad bit of excess in describing the meeting and union of Molly’s parents as well as coloring in the history of some of her grandparents. There is always room to cut, condense, and to simplify, and these might be applicable areas, among a few potential others. Overall, though, this work is pretty tight and efficient.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY DOES NOT RELY ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
Among this work’s key selling points are the even-keeled and presentable tone of voice on account of the author— This book is easy to read and to dig into, which is a wise move in that the access to the important themes is imperative. Off that, this work is unapologetic with its noble agenda(s)— This work has not just entertainment value, but also educational and moral value.
Fanbase Potential
It is not likely that this work would have a large fanbase, as it appears to appeal squarely to a more contained target audience— That of young female readers. While the target audience may be enthusiastic, the appeals to more senior and also male readers seem to be more limited.
Awards Potential
It would be a challenge for this work to have mainstream awards potential if adapted, as it seems to be much more geared to young and female audiences— The fact that it seems to neglect the older crowds would bode poorly for awards potential, even despite its noble and ever-timely themes.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
GIFTED (2017)
What’s New About the Story
There are a few things that are original about this story— For one thing, the rooting of this story, in some ways, in radio culture strikes as very interesting. While Molly does not always have so much to do with radio, the influence of it is ever-present. It is not often one reads a story that focuses on and underscores the importance and influence of this kind of art/communication. Extending off of the above, what also struck as original were the themes of this work, again rooted in communications and radio.
Lead Characters
Molly stands out not just for her profound intelligence, but also for her strength of character. She is remarkably easy to root for due to her good nature, and she is also very entertaining to watch due to her precociousness and astuteness. The scene where she stands up to a racist bully schoolteacher and even commands him to go to the principal’s office is a perfect symbol of Molly’s abilities and endearing qualities.
Uniqueness of Story
While there are no particularly glaring flaws about this work, it would seem that the “rare gem” designation would be reserved for the next-level, undeniable kind of work that might be in the given reviewer’s personal all-time best list. This work does not seem to have the kind of earth-shattering impact that a “rare gem” might have, whatever that is. However, suffice to say that this work’s merit’s are a plenty, and its appeals to its target audience are clear and true. Perhaps this might be a “rare gem” in the eyes of the kind of young woman who might relate to this story most.
Possible Formats
Film: Indie, Streaming TV Series: Network, Cable, Limited Run / Mini-Series, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
CONSIDER
Justification
This is an easy work to ‘consider’ for a number of different reasons. As touched on before, the author’s writing style is sure-handed, simple, and accessible. Where so many authors fall down the slippery slope to flowery and self-serving prose, here the author refuses. Where we are not pushed very hard to follow along, the author gives us unencumbered access to this work’s important messaging. Moreover, the protagonist is as endearing as she is fun to watch— Often an obvious and key ingredient to a rewarding reading experience. Also, while this work doesn’t appear to have the kind of four-quadrant appeal that all of the streamers and studios seem to be groveling over, it does appear to appeal quite squarely to its target audience of Females <25.
Brief
Headstrong paraplegic Molly Alvin decides to run for US Senate, having grown fed up with the poisonous and racist organizations that have been given credence by the Reagan administration’s broadcast deregulations. As Molly heads off to Washington, we flash back to a year-by-year account of her childhood and coming-of-age, where we get to know Molly as a child prodigy with firm and noble convictions, following her civic engagement, service, and young love— All of which informs her ambition to run for office.
What We Liked
Among this work’s various appeals are its highly sympathetic lead, it's important themes, and its occasionally poignant and affecting drama. For one thing, Molly is a memorable and effective lead— She is not just fun to watch due to her immense intellect, but she is also easy to root for given her staunchly rooted good intentions. Off of that, this work is valuable in that it makes a conscious and consistent effort to relay positive messages to its audience— Not only is this work steeped in the importance of perseverance, but it also has numerous social and political commentaries regarding acceptance and the dangers of misinformation that could not be more timely. Lastly, this work feature a number of wrenching dramatic beats that promise to impact the audience, from the opening tragedy to the death of Bonnie, this work is intent on pulling at your heart strings.
Film: This would be a solid candidate for adaptation to film just the same. For one thing, this work is empowered by its moral conscience— This work has no limit to lessons is strives to teach its audience, and its themes squarely echo many of our nation’s greatest issues, mainly intolerance and misinformation. All in all, it would be a great service to the young audience to imbue them with the examples of justice and injustice, tolerance and intolerance. Of course, none of this is to consider that the author writes a protagonist that constitutes an ideal vehicle for a young star — There are many pivotal dramatic beats that will prove to entice top talent.
TV: This would be a solid candidate for adaptation to the small screen in that its story spans decades, and its themes are broad enough to where the long format would not get tiresome.
What is interesting and compelling about this work also is that it has a wealth of fertile supporting characters, from Bonnie’s mother to her birth family to Molly’s father Willis who works on secretive projects at Roswell. This is not even to consider the radio world with is constantly in our periphery. Finally, what stands out as especially virtuous about this work is its open-ended ending— It truly does not feel like the end of Molly’s story, but rather the beginning. We merely glaze over her Senatorial career, and it feels like that story could sustain its own TV season on its own, not to mention the looming presidential campaign and likely tenure.
Key points:
1. The themes — This work has messages and themes that are as timely and well-meaning as they come.
2. The lead — Molly Alvin is as memorable as she is likable as she is interesting.
3. The ending — Almost frustratingly, the author leaves us with a massive cliffhanger. It bodes well for further development and stories to be told— The audience will demand to know Molly’s story as she sets out to become President herself.
4. The love story — The development of the Bonnie/Molly love connection is as patient and sure-handed as ever.
5. The drama — Molly faces no shortage of obstacles in this work, from her racist teacher, to her lost love, to her paralysis.
Synopsis
Molly Alvin slowly awakens in a hospital bed to find out she’s suffered a savage injury— A burning branch had crashed down on her during a fire that ravaged her city. Molly soon finds out that she will forever be paralyzed from the waist down. However, she has an indefatigable spirit, thanks in part to her loyal and loving friends and family. Molly reflects on the events that have led to such a catastrophe and on the harmful percolating trends in her life thus far that have resulted in the malice that paralyzed her and killed many of her friends and community members. She traces the root cause of the fire back to Fred Handson, program director of the K-River Radio station— A distasteful man who took advantage of the Reagan administration’s broadcast deregulations to enable the sowing of hate and misinformation. In Molly’s eyes, the changes implemented by Handson resulted in a deterioration of the moral fabric of the community and a rapidly declining faith in broadcast radio as a daily life and news guide. With that, Molly steels herself and presents to her friend and family a new ambition for herself— An initiative to run for US Senate with the key agenda to restore the Fairness in Broadcasting Doctrine that Reagan had struck down.
With that, we jump back to Molly’s childhood and coming-of-age. First, we learn about the kinship of Molly’s parents Michelle and Willis, a brainy man who shares is passion for astronomy with a young Molly, often taking her to view the planets in the night sky. We follow as Molly enters grade school, quickly standing out for her profound, prodigious intelligence, and we learn of her gift to compartmentalize knowledge across unending paradigms, essentially making her a chess master for critical thinking, so to speak. Molly routinely earns the respect and admiration of her peers, often helping them out in the classroom. One day, Molly becomes fast friends with Mexican immigrant Bonnie, and the two become inseparable. Bonnie is a compassionate and supportive young woman, and the two bond over nursing a mistreated mare back to health.
Soon, though, their relationship blossoms into something more as Bonnie kisses Molly, and the two confess their budding romantic feelings for one another. However, all is not well in River City— With the Reagan administration having rescinded the fairness doctrine, it gives rise to a number of bad actors and bad influences in town. Moreover, the community’s faith and reliance on radio has waned— What was once a unifying and informational beacon is now muddied.
One malignant figure is Mr. Bolton— An intensely unpleasant man who tries to bully and intimidate Molly and her classmates with his infatuation with the Confederacy. In an impressive show of character, Molly stands up to him and sends him to the principal’s office, of all things!
Molly continues to be a leader in her community in spite of the misinformation broadcasters and growing racial ire— Some bad actors even set a cross on fire in town. Molly leads by example, advocating for a women’s soccer team in the face of misogynistic naysayers, caring for animals, and representing her informed beliefs on broadcast regulations in formal debate, even winning the state debate with the help of Bonnie! Molly is a rising star, but tragedy strikes when Bonnie dies suddenly in her sleep...
Years pass after Bonnie’s death, with Molly biding her time nurturing the horse and living a mostly quiet life, arguably under-achieving given her next-level intelligence. After the fire, as noted, Molly has a bit of an epiphany— She decides to run for a US Senate seat, with the intent to restore the Fairness in Broadcasting Doctrine. Although facing an insurmountable challenge in seeking to replace a sitting Senator, the Senator announces his retirement and even endorses Molly for his seat’s vacancy despite being of the opposite political party— An unprecedented move in American politics. In the Senate, Molly is a force for good, earning the respect of her esteemed colleagues. However, her proposal to restore the Doctrine fails by a single vote.
However, Molly is resolved— She’ll just have to run for President herself to get the job done...