Chasing the Milky Way

Title: Chasing the Milky Way

 

Author: Erin E. Moulton

 

Summary: 12 year old Lucy Peevey lives in a trailer park with her mother (who suffers from a mental illness similar to Tess's mother's mental illness in the book Rocky Road). Lucy spends her days programming her robot for the robot contest she and her best friend Cam, and younger sister, Izzy dream of going to. They almost have all of the money saved up, and they think that Lucy's mother will be well enough to take them. However, after a serious run-in with the school bully, Lucy and Cam get in trouble and her mother shows up at the school furious. The police are called, but Lucy, Izzy, Cam, and Ms. Peevey escape. They go on a huge adventure, stealing an RV, and outsmarting the authorities many times.

However, Lucy's mother crashes one day and Lucy has to manage the RV by herself and get them to their robot competition where they know that their dreams and their ticket out of the trailer park, await them. Things don't go as planned though, when they wind up getting caught by authorities. Will they try to escape again or will Lucy's mother get the help she needs?

 

Comments: This book was very interesting, and an exciting read. Lucy has a lot of responsibility and is nearly like a mother to her young sister, Izzy. Lucy  knows how to drive despite her young age, because her grandmother (who recently passed) taught her. I found the book unrealistic, but I liked the update they gave at the end of the book; describing how they were doing after they got help.

 

There is some profanities in this book and God's name is said at inappropriate times quite frequently, so this book may not be suitable for those who do not want that language in their books (my family doesn't approve, but I did not know before I read the book). While I was disappointed to see the language in this book, I wouldn't let that stop an older reader from enjoying this book!

 

Complaints: I didn't like the use of profanity in the book.

 

Rating: 4 stars (because of profanity)

Remember As You Pass Me By

Title: Remember As You Pass Me By

 

Author: L. King Perez

 

Summary: Silvy and Mabelee have been friends since they were young. But, things are different now. Mabelee is black and Silvy is white and they are no longer allowed to play together. Besides, Mabelee is busy with other friends and Silvy is also busy meeting the new girl, Allie Rae. Allie Rae becomes Silvy's friend, but Silvy isn't sure she likes her because she talks bad about the people like Mabelee. Then, they decide to desegregate the schools and everyone around the town is upset. Silvy, in the end, helps Mabelee when she needs it most.

Comments: I liked this book. Silvy was likeable and so was Mabelee. There was some language in it and some more mature sequences, maybe. It was a good premise and a good story and I enjoyed it. I would probably recommend this for an older 10 year old+ who understands the history of that particular time.  

 

Complaints: None.

 

Rating: 5 stars.

The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye

Title: The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye

Author: Bonnie Shimko

Summary: Amelia (Earhart) Rye is growing up in the 50s' with only her mother and grandfather. Her father ran out with another woman before Amelia was even born. Her mother is not necessarily nice and does not show love for Amelia in any way. Then, something tragic happens to her grandfather and Amelia feels lost in her outdated clothes and old glasses, and doesn't seem to make any friends at school; until Fancy Nelson comes along. Fancy is free-spirited and the first black person that Amelia has really met. They become friends and the book takes you through the struggles and excitement of their friendship. Then, the woman that Amelia's father ran off with shows up and Amelia doesn't know what to think. The woman turns out to be much, much different than Amelia expected. Towards the end of the book, Amelia's brother comes back and something very tragic happens to her mother, changing Amelia's life forever.

Comments: The storyline was full of tragedy. A lot of mean people do horrible things to Fancy because of her color and Amelia deals with a lot of tragedy, sadness, and disappointment. However, Amelia is a very likeable character and some girls may relate to the smaller pieces of her personality and story (having trouble making friends, something happening to a grandparent or parent, etc.) However, I have one big problem that makes this book stand out in a bad way.

There are cuss words in it.

Now they aren't on every page, there are only in the book here and there, but my family does not allow me to read, see, hear, etc. bad words, and most families I know feel the same, so this could be a deciding factor in whether you read the book or not. I don't want to turn you off the book or anything, the words aren't that bad (except for one "s" word - you know what I mean; I do not mean "stupid" of course).

Rating: 4 stars. The plot was great, but the occasional bad word could have been done without.