Chasing the Milky Way

June 23, 2014
Lucy Peevey, 12, and her best friend Cam are pinning their hopes on winning the BotBlock robot programming competition as a way to solve their families' financial problems (they currently live in a trailer park) and pay for part of their future college tuition. Their current obstacles include Lucy's irrational and paranoid manic-depressive motherâwho ignores Lucy's birthday, buries china in the yard, and scribbles about visions of Robert Frostâand Cam's mother's abusive boyfriend. The novel takes an unexpected turn when Lucy's mother's behavior forces them on the run. With a stolen RV and Lucy's younger sister in tow, Lucy and Cam try to stay optimistic that their dreams are within reach if they can just make it to the competition. Lucy's memories of her late grandmother, her life's anchor, are gracefully woven in, as is Lucy and Cam's passion for science. Moulton (Tracing Stars) writes freely about children forced to assume adult responsibilities while remaining in touch with their idealism, and the possibility of everyday magic. Ages 8â12. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

April 15, 2014
Twelve-year-old Lucy Peevey is desperate to get out of Sunnyside Trailer Park, but with a mother whose sanity is quickly unraveling, departure seems unlikely anytime soon. Ever since Gram died, Lucy has acted as the adult in her family: for herself, her younger sister, Izzy, and even for her best friend, Cam, whose mother's boyfriend roughs him up on a regular basis. The kids play an imaginary astronaut game they call Mission Control, presumably just so they can feel some predictability in their lives. Lucy and Cam have their hearts set on entering the BotBlock Robot Challenge, and despite obstacles, they find themselves spearheading (read: driving!) a wild family expedition to get there. While Mama appears to have forgotten Lucy's 12th birthday, in fact, she has made the ultimate, heartbreaking self-sacrifice to sustain the Milky Way of their dreams. Although the plot details strain credulity at times, and there are moments of clunky storytelling, Moulton is successful in consistently presenting Mama as an individual, despite her extensive mental health challenges. This is brave experiential territory for middle-grade fiction; its epilogue helps to bring resolution, and an author's note provides further context. A poignant story filled with chaos, deep affection and hope. (Fiction. 9-12)

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May 1, 2014

Gr 5-7-Few middle-grade books depict a parent's mental illness as well as this one. Lucy Peevey, 12, and her best friend, Cam, dream of getting out of Sunnyside Trailer Park. To do so, they plan to compete in the BotBlock robot-programming contest. They have been saving up for months to pay the entrance fee, hoping that the prize money will lead to a better life. Cam's mom has an abusive boyfriend and Lucy's mom has manic-depressive disorder and hasn't been taking her medication. As Lucy's grandma explains to her, "It's like when one second you're so high you can taste the sweetness of the Milky Way." And "the next second it's like you have your head in the sand, and any sort of critter can go wandering in one ear and out the other." Lucy and Cam are competing against other kids with supportive parents, better equipment, and enough money not to have to worry about the entrance fee. And when Lucy's mother's has her head in the sand, anything can mess with the girls' already slim chances of entering and winning the contest. Moulton's characters are well developed, and Mama, in particular, never becomes a caricature of a person with mental health issues. Instead, she is nuanced, her disorder pulling back at just the right time. Readers who have a loved one with a similar illness will have much to relate to, and those who don't will see others in a more discerning light. There is also a good amount of science content, particularly coding and space themes, which could be tied into a STEAM book club. Just like Mrs. Peevey's manic-depressive disorder, Chasing the Milky Waytakes readers along for the highest of highs and lowest of lows. A much-needed addition.-Jessica Ko, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2014
Grades 5-8 Lucy, 12, has a plan to get out of Sunnyside trailer park: she and her best friend, Cam, will win the BotBlock challenge with their homemade robot and use the prize money and scholarships to make all their dreams come true. But when her mom's bipolar disorder gets out of control and she tries to escape across state lines with Cam, Lucy, and Lucy's little sister, Izzy, in tow, they end up on the run from the police and in more trouble than she could ever solve on her own. Aspiring scientist Lucy and Cam, who is having trouble at home with his mother's abusive boyfriend, stubbornly believe that if they just work hard, they can accomplish anything, but their inability to connect with Lucy's mom tests their resolve. Moulton handles Lucy's mom's mental illness with a gentle, evenhanded touchher behavior is unpredictable and sometimes very scary, but, throughout it all, it's clear that she loves her children. An empathetic portrayal of mental illness full of sensitivity and, ultimately, hope.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)