Skip to main content

Across the Desert

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. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

An ABC of Flowers

An ABC of Flowers   by Jutta Hilpuesch New York, NY : Philomel Books, [2019] It turns out there really is a flower for every letter. This sweet book has a photograph of every flower and  a sweet cartoon illustration to go along with it. All your favorite flowers are here (forget-me-nots, mums, and sunflowers), along with some you probably haven't heard of before (billy ball, kalanchoe, xeranthemum?).  This is a perfect book for reading together, and readers of any age will enjoy every page. Don't miss this great springtime alphabet book. 

From Story Time: The Letter "B"

From Monday Book Babies Bird, Balloon, Bear By Il Sung Na Alfred A. Knopf, 2017.  Picture Book. Bird is new to the forest, and he’s looking for a friend. Bear could use a friend, too. But Bird is too shy to introduce himself. Just as he musters the courage to say hello . . . it’s too late! Bear has already found a friend: a bright, shiny red balloon. Has Bird missed his chance?  From the acclaimed Il Sung Na comes a charming and beautifully illustrated story about courage, kindness, and friendship.  --Publisher From Monday Cuentos El primer dĆ­a de un colegio Texto de Adam Rex Ilustraciones de Christian Robinson Traducción de Teresa Mlawer Editorial Corimbo, 2017.  Spanish Picture Book. Aquel verano, cuando terminaron de construir la escuela Frederick Douglass, el edificio comenzó a hacerse muchas preguntas: ¿CuĆ”l serĆ” mi destino? ¿QuiĆ©n vivirĆ” entre mis paredes? ¿Para quĆ© me utilizarĆ”n? AtravĆ©s de sus conversaciones con el conserje y t...

If You Like...Dungeons and Dragons

Great news for adventurous, imaginative tweens: we are starting a Dungeons & Dragons program! Nine- to twelve-year-olds are invited to join a tabletop role playing quest in the Story Room on Monday September 14 from 6:30-8:00PM. All experience levels are welcome. Registration opens on September 1 at 9:00AM. In the meantime, here are some books to inspire your upcoming campaign!  The Lionharts Written and Illustrated by Mike Lawrence New York : Abrams Fanfare, 2026. J Comic. 233 pages. The Lionhart family is in the business of adventuring. Alder and Flynt are desperate to be included in the dragon-fighting and monster-slaying quests. When their parents Lenna and Gerard go missing after accepting a mysterious job, the boys set out to save them, soon followed by their famous questing Grammy and Baba to help keep Alder and Flynt out of trouble. The journey brings challenges and opportunities, magic and mystery, but it also reveals a troubling family secret that threatens to tear th...