It has always been up to 17-year-old Michelle to care for her younger siblings Cass and Denny; their mother cannot stay clean, and her father, Buck, left when Cass was a baby. But Michelle's options are running out: Cass is being bullied at school; Denny is a bully; their mom is in jail; and she has only a few hundred dollars from her job at Taco Bell. When word reaches Michelle that Buck is dying in California and has something for them, a road trip seems in order d along for the ride are a long-lost half sister (Leah) and her cute stepbrother. Living off free samples in a food court, sleeping in an old Datsun, and avoiding the cops has never been so hard so rewarding. Perfect pacing and engaging characters will draw readers in, and they will empathize as the mismatched group of kids figures out what family really means. LaMarche's poignant novel examines many tough issues and does so within a story that sings with hope.

Gr 6 Up-Michelle, an 17-year-old biracial teen, is almost through with high school in urban Baltimore. This is a blessing and a curse because school has been a reprieve from caring for her younger siblings when their mother, an addict, fails to adequately care for them. Her father is no longer a part of their lives, having left them for another woman and his child with her. They know that they have a half-sister but know little about her. Right after her mother is arrested on a drug charge, Michelle is approached by Tim, the older stepbrother of her half-sister, and is surprised to discover that he and Leah are both white and living in the nearby suburbs. Leah has heard from their father and he is dying. So, all five children get in an old car and head for a hospice in California. The road trip is an eye-opening experience for all of them. This is an excellent look at how race and socioeconomic status can impact children's lives. It draws into sharp relief how this impacts decision-making and perceptions. It also does not shy away from mental health issues and how difficult it is to get help for them when one lives in poverty. It is also a great look at family relationships. The characters are well developed and relatable. Serious issues are tempered with humor for a very readable novel. VERDICT Fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell, and Sharon Flake will find much to love in this novel. Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH