Your Destination Is on the Left

April 15, 2018
An aspiring teen artist yearns to break free from her family's nomadic lifestyle in Spieller's debut novel.For the Rhodes family, home is an RV on a never-ending trek across the country with two other families, one of which includes Dessa's best friend and secret crush, Cyrus. Despite the caravan's "never stop moving" mentality, Dessa dreams of becoming a real artist and settling down one day--also known as "High Nomad Treason." She eagerly applies to 10 art schools but is rejected by every single one of them. Already feeling lost and bound to the life her parents chose for her, she discovers that her father, a web designer without a degree, is struggling to make ends meet. She unexpectedly lands an internship with Santa Fe-based artist Fiona Velarde, a promising opportunity that will test her artistic abilities, challenge her loyalty to her family, and hinder her emerging romance with Cyrus. Refreshingly, it is the parents in this story who have poor decision-making skills throughout, often relying on group votes to decide the caravan's fate. Dessa's resilience is laudable and will resonate with anyone well-acquainted with failure. The cast is mainly white (Dessa has a Greek grandmother) with some racial diversity--Cyrus and another supporting character are black, and Fiona is tan-skinned with black hair.An emotional, aesthetic, and hopeful journey to self-discovery. (Fiction. 12-18)

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April 23, 2018
Dessa’s family, whose favorite motto is “never stop moving,” has been traveling in an RV caravan for years, but now Dessa, 17, is ready to put down roots. Her plan is to get her GED and attend art school, but she hasn’t gotten accepted anywhere. After she gets the chance to intern for a famous artist, though, the caravan families begrudgingly agree on a temporary stay in Santa Fe so that she can take advantage of the opportunity. Dessa is thrilled to work for a real artist, but conflicts soon arise: she becomes discouraged, doubting her talent; the family goes through a financial crisis; and her relationship with traveling partner Cy takes a romantic turn, making her wonder if her original plan to leave the group is the right decision after all. In a thoughtful novel depicting the downside of nomadic life, debut author Spieller renders a convincing portrait of a blossoming artist facing relatable coming-of-age issues. Some of the resolutions arrive in too-neat packages, but Dessa’s struggle to realize her dreams without hurting loved ones will resonate. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

May 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-After five years of crisscrossing the country in a three-family RV caravan, Dessa wants to attend art school. Her parents, who live by the motto "Never stop moving," don't want her to leave their nomadic group. Although Dessa feels ready to embark on her own future, she's received rejection letters from 10 colleges. Further complicating the situation, she has developed undeniable feelings for one of her travel mates, Cyrus. When a famous artist, Fiona Verlarde, chooses Dessa as a summer intern, the whole RV commune travels to Santa Fe with her. While in town, Dessa and her family stay with her grandmother, who gives her a box of colorfully illustrated tiles that Dessa uses to assemble a mosaic for Fiona's art show. Vivid descriptions of Dessa and Fiona's artwork and the desert landscape make this a pleasant read. The author writes believable dialogue that moves the story forward. Dessa's process of creating found art and developing the courage to venture out on her own will inspire teens. Many readers will empathize with her uncertainty about whether or not to go to college, and if she should give up her romance with Cyrus to pursue her dreams. However, the overwrought descriptions of Cyrus's physical beauty and Dessa's hormonal reactions to him can be cringeworthy. Still, this breezy summer read will appeal to most teens. VERDICT Hand this to die-hard romantics and aspiring artists.-Amy Duffy, Chicago Public Library

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