From the Tenches

From the Trenches via School Library Journal

At some point, most of us will find ourselves in a situation that forces us to face what sort of person we really are. But with any luck, we won't need a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness (like some of Gary Paulsen's characters endure) to become more self-aware. The following books feature young adults who have gone on life-changing journeys, and in the process, discovered more about themselves.

PERKINS, Lynne Rae. As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth. Greenwillow. 2010. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-187090-3. PLB $17.89. ISBN 978-0-06-187091-0.
Gr 7 Up–In her latest novel, the Newbery Medal-winning author sends 15-year-old Ry on a journey across the United States. Ry gets off a train headed for camp to make a quick phone call (even though he's been told not to), and minutes later the train pulls away with all of his belongings, leaving him in the middle of nowhere. A pair of shiny white loafers, a car fire, and a missing grandfather are just a few of the things that complicate Ry's journey back to his parents and a normal life. (If you can call it normal.) Short cartoons scattered throughout add to this quirky travel tale.



BRADBURY, Jennifer. Shift. Anthenum. 2008. Tr $17.99ISBN: 978-1-4169-4732-5. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-4424-0852-4.
Gr 8 Up–Win and Chris made big plans to ride their bicycles cross country to the West Coast. When they get separated in Washington, Chris goes on to Seattle as planned and thinks little of the fact that Win never shows up–until an FBI agent questions Chris at school one day. Where is the uncle that Win was supposed to meet? When was the last time Chris heard from his friend? Why is the FBI so interested in a missing college student? Chris is sure that Win has told him the truth, but he couldn't just disappear, could he?