In trying to reunite with her mother, Winston discovers the many meanings of family and finds friendship in an unexpected place in this coming-of-age novel from the author of
Waiting, which
Kirkus Reviews, in a starred review,
called “exceptional” and
Glimpse, which
Booklist called “gripping.”
Life is just fine for fourteen-year-old Winston. She loves her dog, Thelma, and although she never knew her dad, and her mom left ten years ago in search of Hollywood fame, Winston has family with Nanny, who is in her forties, and that doesn’t even make her old. But a “just fine” life gets a lot more exciting when a letter arrives from Skye Harper, aka Judith Fletcher, aka Winston’s mother. She needs help, and Nanny says the best way to give it is to take a cross-country road trip—in a “borrowed” motor home—to go find Mama once and for all. Winston’s not so sure about this plan, but with a cute stowaway named Steve along for company and an adventure on the horizon, this is sure to be a summer to remember.
In trying to reunite with her mother who left 10 years ago to find fame in Hollywood, 14-year-old Winston discovers the many meanings of family and finds friendship in an unexpected place in this coming-of-age novel from the acclaimed author of "Waiting."
When Winston was four, her mother left to find fame in Hollywood, leaving Winston in the care of her grandmother. Nanny is the only family Winston has known, and she is okay with that, but when they receive a postcard from the estranged Judith Fletcher, now known as Skye Harper, asking them to come get her from Las Vegas, Nanny jumps at the chance to have her daughter back. Nanny decides to steal her neighbor’s RV and—along with Winston, their dog, and a rooster—sets off on a cross-country road trip to bring Skye Harper home. While on the road, they discover that Winston’s neighbor crush has stowed away in the RV. Through short chapters, Winston’s confusion over growing up, falling in love, and discovering her family is seamlessly woven into an emotional coming-of-age story. With a balance of family drama and humor, Winston’s journey never feels forced, and the end, while almost too happy, flows nicely with the plot. A lovely addition to a collection of family stories.
