About this item
Highlights
- At fifteen, Tamara has survived the foster-care system through brains, will and attitude.
- 192 Pages
- Juvenile Fiction, Social Themes
Description
About the Book
At 15, Tamara has survived the foster care system through brains, will, and attitude. Now close to getting out, she dreams of being a model. First, though, there's high school to get through, along with her teacher's latest community project -- volunteering at the local seniors home. Tamara doubts she can endure either the residents or the smells. Then she's assigned to Jean Barclay -- a cranky, wealthy, and extremely frail former schoolteacher. As the two warily size each other up, they realize each is the key to achieving their own very different goals. Miss Barclay wants to attend Wagner's Ring Cycle in Seattle -- a trip doctors insist she's too weak to undertake. Tamara wants to enroll in modeling school in Vancouver -- an expense she can't begin to afford. Daringly, they plan the road trip of a lifetime -- but can these two bossy, manipulative women keep from throttling each other before their goals are realized?Book Synopsis
At fifteen, Tamara has survived the foster-care system through brains, will and attitude. Now there's high school to get through, along with her teacher's latest community project -- volunteering at the local seniors' home. Tamara doubts she can endure either the residents or the smells.
Then she's assigned to Jean Barclay, a cranky, wealthy and frail former schoolteacher. As the two size one another up, they realize each is the key to achieving their own very different goals. Miss Barclay wants to attend an opera in Seattle -- a trip doctors insist she's too weak to undertake. Tamara wants to enroll in modeling school in Vancouver -- an expense she can't begin to afford. They plan the road trip of a lifetime -- but can these two bossy, manipulative women keep from throttling each other before their goals are realized?
Review Quotes
...[Huser]'s portrait of two outsiders is an affecting and involving one...The road trip is entertaining, and revelatory, and Huser realistically gives his heroines only some of what they wish for.-- "Horn Book"
Both characters emerge as strongly sympathetic rebels; readers will applaud their outlaw partnership and be glad that Tamara, at least, receives forgiveness and a fresh start.-- "Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"
This is a super cross-generations book!...This is a well-done story with strong characters who will appeal to middle school readers.-- "Library Media Connection"