Somebody on This Bus Is Going to Be Famous

June 23, 2014
Cheaney’s novel opens with a bus accident on a torrentially rainy night and the promise that one character will be famous by book’s end; she then rewinds nine months with news of a robbery in the sleepy Hidden Acres subdivision. But these early tinges of suspense wind up being peripheral as the novel unfolds. Over nine months, Cheaney (My Friend the Enemy) follows the stories of nine characters, fourth through seventh graders, who ride Mrs. B’s school bus, switching between characters each month. Bender is a complex bully living in the shadow of his older brother, Spencer is brilliant, Kaitlynn is full of big ideas, and Shelly hopes to become a singing sensation someday, among other regular riders. What the students have in common are dreams, insecurities, and a fascination with Farm Road 152, where Mrs. B stops the bus each day for reasons unknown. Readers glimpse the kids’ vulnerable, private worlds of thought as the novel unfolds, yet the narrative about their rocky roads to better understanding themselves can feel unfocused as it jumps around between characters. Ages 10–13. Agent: Erin Buterbaugh, MacGregor Literary Agency.

July 15, 2014
An intriguing mystery, a cataclysmic storm and a school bus accident converge with extraordinary results.Nine of the students who ride Mrs. B.'s school bus are about to find their lives intersecting in unexpected ways. A new stop on their established bus route stirs little curiosity until several students notice that a passenger never appears. As seventh-grader Bender collaborates with other students in his quest for the truth, they uncover the repercussions of a tragic event that occurred nearly two decades earlier. Cheaney immediately immerses readers in the action, opening with the chaotic accident scene and then transitioning back nine months to the first day of school. Following the months of the school year, the chapters highlight different characters. Even as she drops subtle hints regarding the mystery, the author reveals the challenges the characters face. With the nine key characters in a variety of middle school grades and situations, the tale explores a range of life experiences. It addresses familiar issues, such as defining self-worth and social relationships. With compassion and insight, Cheaney also delves into the anguish that comes with watching a beloved family member decline into illness and explores the effects secrecy has on children's lives. As events culminate in the accident, the characters must rely upon their inner resolve during a crucial turning point.Cheaney effectively combines multiple layers of mystery with an uplifting message about resilience. (Mystery. 10-14)

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August 1, 2014

Gr 5-8-Nine very different middle schoolers on a bus route theorize why every morning Mrs. B, the bus driver, stops at an empty bus stop-no one ever gets on or off. Each narrator has his/her own theory about the mysterious bus stop. One day, clues start turning up and it's clear that they must work together to solve the mystery. Even though there are nine different perspectives, it isn't confusing or overwhelming to follow. Cheaney uses language that is simple enough to appeal to all readers. As the story progresses, kids will begin to understand each protagonist's struggles, hopes, and dreams and empathize with all of them. The community surrounding the bus route changes as the characters grow into their own. A great and fast read about finding yourself and making friends, that will be enjoyed by even reluctant readers.-H. Islam, Brooklyn Public Library

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