By Marissa Wells
Contributing Writer
A tight-knit group of teens in 1990s Los Angeles, use underground washways to get around — and get into trouble. When they unknowingly cross a motorcycle gang, their secret routes turn into a fight for survival. With danger closing in, they must rely on each other if they want to make it through the night.
So goes, “Squeeze Light: Under the Streets, Darkness Awaits at Every Exit,” by Ben Crockett.
Inspiration for the book came following his son’s reaction to the film, “Stand by Me.”
“He was blown away at the life of kids before pagers and cell phones,” Crockett said. “I started telling him stories about my adventures as a kid in the 80s and 90s and thought, why not take some of those adventures and build them into the ultimate coming of age story.”
“Squeeze Light” will be enjoyed by not only young teens, but also adult readers.
“When the book came out, it was an overwhelming wave of love and support from the 40-plus crowd,” Crockett said. “Feedback has been nostalgia for the 90s era in which the book is set to adult reflections of their core friend groups as kids and how they might wish things had gone differently as they came of age.”
One of the book’s main themes is friendship — how even though no one is perfect, it’s important to value the time shared and the memories made.
“Squeeze Light” offers a call to action for young readers and a moment of reflection for adult readers — encouraging new experiences and rekindled connections.
“For younger readers, I can only hope it motivates them to get off the couch, gather their friends and go find their own adventure,” said the author. “For adults, I hope it brings back memories of being young and care free, maybe motivates them to reevaluate how crazy it is that any of us survived childhood with the risks we took and ultimately to pick up the phone and reconnect with some of these people before it’s too late.”
In addition to being an author, Crockett is a journalist, photographer, global traveler and adventurer. He’s based in Park City, Utah. To learn more about the author and his work, visit ben-crockett.com.
“Squeeze Light: Under the Streets, Darkness Awaits at Every Exit” is available for $19.99 via ben-crockett.com and Amazon.
