Amy & Roger's Epic Detour

ifeelbookish - 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

Starred review from May 10, 2010
In the summer following her junior year, Amy is nursing the loss of her father in a car accident—and the burden of believing it was her fault. With her mother relocating the family to Connecticut and her brother in rehab, Amy is left to get the car from California to their new house. But since the accident, Amy won't drive. Enter Roger, the 19-year-old son of a family friend, on his way to visit his father in Philadelphia. After a few bumps, Roger and Amy are on their way—he to help her face the grief and truth about her father's death, and she to help him move on from a painful breakup. Debut author Matson ably evokes the places, tastes, and tunes of this unforgettable cross-country trip, and the incorporation of b&w photos, receipts, playlists, sketches, and quotations about the states they pass through make it feel all the more real. The duo's budding romance is especially satisfying given the deliciously slow speed with which it builds. A near perfect summer read that should leave readers with a thirst for travel and romance. Ages 12–up.