Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

By Morgan Matson

2 ratings 2 reviews 8 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 9 - 12Grades 3 - 6n/a5.291590
Amy Curry thinks her life sucks. Her mom decides to move from California to Connecticut to start anew--just in time for Amy's senior year. Her dad recently died in a car accident. So Amy embarks on a road trip to escape from it all, driving cross-country from the home she's always known toward her new life. Joining Amy on the road trip is Roger, the son of Amy's mother's old friend. Amy hasn’t seen him in years, and she is less than thrilled to be driving across the country with a guy she barely knows. So she's surprised to find that she is developing a crush on him. At the same time, she’s coming to terms with her father’s death and how to put her own life back together after the accident. Told in traditional narrative as well as scraps from the road--diner napkins, motel receipts, postcards--this is the story of one girl's journey to find herself.
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
ISBN-13: 9781471124709
ISBN-10: 1471124703
Published on 8/14/2014
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 352

Book Reviews (2)

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looks like agood book.seems similar to something i might have read before.

Summary: Amy Curry is a junior from Raven Rock, California. She is not happy with her mother deciding to move across the country. Now add a brother in rehab, and a traumatizing experience which involved her dad dying in a car accident, and you've just about got the worst summer ever. Now Amy has to drive with Roger, a distant family friend to Connecticut. Amy believes that her father's death is her fault because she was the one driving the car. There was a car running the red light in the middle of the intersection, and it slammed into their car. Her mother decided that they needed a fresh start in Connecticut. Along with Amy's brother who turns into a heavily-partying teen who does drugs. Amy's mom sets up their trip with boring cities to stop at. Amy decides to take a chance, and together, Amy and Roger take a detour. This book chronicles Amy and Roger's epic adventure through America, in which their friendship blossoms into something more meaningful. They don't know it yet, but this may be their best summer ever. First of all, I loved how this book was about a road trip across the country. I have gone across country about 2 times now, and it was really fun. I also loved how there were different lists and pictures from their trip. It was similar to a scrapbook. I also liked how the book was narrated. It was from Amy's point of view, and it often had chapters in which Amy had flashbacks, all connected to her life "Before" compared to her life "After" the accident. This book was completely balanced, emotions-wise. Amy and Roger's blooming relationship was heartfelt and light-hearted, while the accident (although it was devastating) occupied most of the sad parts. This novel also has the best cast of supporting characters. Bronwyn's gift to Amy was definitely endearing. Leonard was the best video-game geek I've ever met, and Drew was the perfect 'guy-next-door'. Bronwyn was not your typical popular girl; she was actually really nice and kind. Walcott's quote was just perfection. "' Tomorrow will be better.' 'But what if it's not?' I asked. Walcott smiled and let go of the CD. 'Then you say it again tomorrow. Because it might be. You never know, right? At some point, tomorrow will be better.'" (178) Walcott and Amy's conversation just made me tear up. I mentioned the 'scrapbook pages', but there was also food receipts, playlists, and menus. Amy always ordered a cream soda, and Roger always ordered a root beer. I now have the sudden urge to try cream soda. I always think about Amy & Roger whenever root beer or cream soda comes up. I cannot write this review that will give this book that praise that it deserves, so just read this book! On a similar note, if you want to read another road trip related book, I recommend reading Paper Towns by John Green. Until next time! ~ifeelbookish