Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG .
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
12yo Jolene watches "Desert Aviator" a live stream of "Addie Earhart" who flies her ultralight across the Arizona Desert. Jolene wishes she could be an adventurer like Addie. But one day, Jolene witnesses Addie crash the ultralight, and as possibly Addie's only viewer/fan - it's up to Jolene to get help. But she doesn't know Addie's real name, and couldn't tell where the ultralight went down, only that it's in the Alamo Lake Area. With only vague details to go by, no one will believe her, and she has to be careful - she doesn't want to risk anyone coming to her house to check on her story - Jolene's mom is addicted to opioids, and Jolene is afraid of being put into foster care. So, once her mom goes back to sleep, Jolene sets off on an impossible rescue, to find her friend who is over 100 miles away, hurt and alone in the desert.
Bowling captured me on the first page and I couldn't put it down. Not just a survival story, "Across the Desert" is also about friendship, and trust, and dealing with an addicted family member (one who should be taking care of you). Bowling has a great note at the end with a message of hope to readers who may be dealing with issues similar to Jolene's. I would love to know if she walked through the desert alone at night for research - because I was right there with Jolene, hearing all the sounds and feeling just as anxious. Definitely buying.
Lisa Librarian
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