American Road Trip by Patrick Flores-Scott
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on September 18th 2018
ISBN: 1627797416
Pages: 272
Goodreads

American Road Trip

 

Teodoro narrates a year in the life of his family from 2008-2009 when his brother, Manny, returns from Iraq with a devastating case of PTSD, his sister, Xochitl, tries to save what is left of her family by giving up her promising musical career to travel cross-country, and Teodoro falls in love and raises his aspirations and his grades in hope of attending the University of Washington.

There was a strong Mexican flavor as meals were described, chilies were grown, and families pulled together at parties, funerals, and farm stands.  One aspect that I didn’t like, though, was that so many people lied to each other, albeit for the greater good.  Xochitl lied to Teodoro over and over about where their trip was headed, no one told their parents about Manny’s suicide note and attempt until the end, and, in order to get Xochitl to perform as the lead act and sign to a recording label, he pretends she is only the opening act.  Somewhat annoying, also, was the way the characters kept repeating the name of the person to whom they were speaking over and over.  This book is recommended for grades 9-12.

 

Reviewed by Ellen Spring, Oceanside High School,