Skip to main content

Across the Desert

By
By Dusti Bowling
New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2021. Fiction.

Jolene spends her days keeping cool at the Phoenix Public Library, reading travel books, drawing maps, and watching her favorite adventurer live streamer, Addie Earhart. She has needed to take care of herself over the years, ever since her mother got into a terrible car accident and then became addicted to opioids. This has resulted in a tricky home life situation for Jolene and not a lot of friends. Over time, Addie becomes one of Jolene's only friends as they chat online. One day, while Jolene is watching Addie's livestream, Addie accidentally crashes her ultralight plane in the middle of the desert and loses contact. Jolene knows that she is the only person who knows where Addie is located and she sets out on an adventure to help her. As she sets out, she realizes that there are people who are willing to help her in her rescue mission both for her friend Addie, and with her mom's addiction. 

This middle grade novel is perfect for fans of survival stories and adventure lovers. Jolene makes a journey across the desert to search for her missing friend in the heat of Arizona, with very few supplies. The topic of growing up with an addict parent are addressed but in an age appropriate way that shows the hope and help that can be found, even in the most difficult situations. 
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: The Mixed-Up Owl

By
The Mixed-Up Owl  Written by Marzena Sowa Illustrated by Joanna Lorno New York : Hippo Park, 2025. Picture Book. When Owl can't sleep at night, he heads off to see if any forest animals can help him understand why, and even more so, how to fix it!  Unfortunately, all the animals Owl runs into at night are asleep and all the animals he meets during the day are too rude or too busy to answer him.  Will Owl give up or will a chance meeting with a grumpy hedgehog provide all the solutions Owl was looking for? The premise of an owl trying to stay awake during the day because all the other animals around him do is very fun. Kids who know that owls are nocturnal will get a kick out of Owl's confusion and be quick to try to tell him what's going on.  Readers who don't know many facts about owls (or nocturnal animals in general) will get a brief introduction to the different ways animals sleep. The illustrations are charming, especially cute Owl and his expressive body langua...
Post a Comment
Read more

Display: Be A World Traveller

By Suzanne
Real Castles Around the World Written by Kaitlyn Duling Vero Beach, Florida : Rourke Educational Media, 2025. Informational. 48 pages Take a trip around the world as you read about the most impressive castles ever built! Explore fierce fortresses, castles that have inspired stories, uniquely colorful castles, and the history behind them all as you Travel to Real Castles Around the World! Part of the Travel to Children s Book Series, this 48-page nonfiction book explores castles both past and present, the kings that inhabited them, and knights that fought to protect them! Lower the drawbridge, cross the moat, and travel to real castles from all around the world as you learn about our magical history with fun-filled facts and vibrant photos. History Book Features: Before- and after-reading activities. Extension activity. Glossary About Rourke Educational Media: We proudly publish respectful and relevant nonfiction and fiction titles that represent our diverse readers, and are designed to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Grounded for All Eternity

By
Grounded for All Eternity By Darcy Marks New York : Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2022. Fiction. 375 pgs. Malachi, Crowley, and Lilith are just your average, normal, middle-school kids. That is, if you consider living in the suburbs of Hell and having black feathered wings normal. They want to enjoy their school free vacation, but Hell is on lock down after the soul of Reverend Samuel Paris, leader of the 1693 Salem witch trials, escapes. Malachi and his friends travel to Earth, looking for some fun, but accidentally bring the Reverend's soul with them to modern day Salem, Massachusetts. Chaos ensues, and Malachi meets many new types of characters, such as witches, angels, and humans. Malachi and his friends must work together to return Reverend Sam's soul to Hell, or else all of Salem will be destroyed. Or worse, be grounded for all eternity.  Read this book for the ultimate Halloween experience, and if you want to revisit the ...
Post a Comment
Read more