This would make a good story someday / Dana Alison Levy.

Title:

Author:

Levy, Dana Alison,

ISBN:

9781101938171

110193817X

9781101938188

1101938188

Edition:

First edition.

Publication Info:

New York :

Description:

315 pages ; 22 cm

Summary:

Although not thrilled when her summer plans are upended for a surprise cross-country train trip with her family and embarrassed because one of her moms is writing a tell-all book about the trip, twelve-year-old Sara Johnston-Fischer finds herself changing along with the landscape outside the train windows.

General Note:

Companion to The misadventures of the family Fletcher and The family Fletcher takes Rock Island.

Subject(s):

Family life -- Fiction.

Railroad travel -- Juvenile fiction.

Authorship -- Juvenile fiction.

Lesbian mothers -- Juvenile fiction.

Gay parents -- Juvenile fiction.

Holds: Copies (not including on-order items):

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Call Number	Shelf Location	Status	Item Holds
Searching... Library 21c	Children's Book	LEVY	Children's-J-Fiction	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

From the author of The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher comes an epic cross-country train trip for fans of Dan Santat's Are We There Yet? and Geoff Rodkey's The Tapper Twins . Pack your suitcase and climb on board with the Johnston-Fischer family.

Sara Johnston-Fischer loves her family, of course. But that doesn't mean she's thrilled when her summer plans are upended for a surprise cross-country train trip with her two moms, Mimi and Carol; her younger sister, Ladybug; her older sister, Laurel; and Laurel's poncho-wearing activist boyfriend, Root. And to make matters worse, one of her moms is writing a tell-all book about the trip . . . and that means allllll, every ridiculous and embarrassing moment of Sara's life.

Sara finds herself crisscrossing the country with a gaggle of wild Texans. As they travel from New Orleans to Chicago to the Grand Canyon and beyond, Sara finds herself changing along with the landscape outside the train windows. And she realizes that she just might go home reinvented.  

Author Notes

Dana Alison Levy was raised by pirates but escaped at a young age and went on to earn a degree in aeronautics and puppetry. Actually, that's not true--she just likes to make things up. That's why she has always wanted to write books. Her books about the Family Fletcher have garnered starred reviews, been named to multiple Best Of lists, and were Junior Library Guild selections. Also, her kids like them. Dana was last seen romping with her family in Massachusetts. If you need to report her for excessive romping or if you want to know more, head to danaalisonlevy.com or follower her on Twitter at @danaalisonlevy.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8-During the summer before seventh grade, Sara's writer mom wins a monthlong cross-country train trip for the family, the purpose of which is to take notes for a new book. Sara, who had planned to spend her summer break with her friends, is furious. But she has no choice. Sara, older sister Laurel, 20; Laurel's boyfriend Root; younger sister Li, six; and both of Sara's mothers are off to see America. In retaliation, the tween decides not to share her thoughts about the places they visit (she doesn't want to be in the book; her mom's parenting blog is embarrassing enough) or be nice to anyone. The family members are soon joined by the other winner of the trip, an author from Texas; his son, Travis, who is the same age as Sara; and Travis's great-aunt and her friend. Sara escapes by writing in her journal. The story is by turns funny and sad, with a lot of life lessons. The plot drags in the middle as Sara's sulking quickly gets old. Also included are notes and postcards from various characters. Some of the ephemera are confusing; it's not always clear which character is the author of which notes. VERDICT Moody tweens will identify with prickly Sara. Purchase where the author's previous books are popular and for middle school collections in need of fiction featuring realistic family drama.-Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Sara Johnston-Fischer had plans for her pre-middle-school summer break. It was going to be a vacation of improvement until her moms announced she'd instead be joining them and her sisters on a cross-country train trip. Being stuck in close quarters with her lovable but loud family doesn't stop Sara from trying to improve herself, sometimes in ways she never could have predicted. Levy's novel is charming but not fluffy. Peppered among Sara's journal entries are her big sister Laurel's thoughts on issues ranging from world hunger to the Black Lives Matter movement. Levy doesn't shy away from looking at tough topics through Sara's eyes, either, cleverly contrasting the railway's official fun facts with the not so fun facts she learns about the cities she visits. Sara has a truly unique tween voice, with her concerns about big-picture issues never diminishing the importance of her need for a new hair look or a burgeoning friendship with a fellow traveler. The novel features plenty of family drama and silliness, reminiscent of Amelia's Are-We-There-Yet Longest Car Trip (2006), by Marissa Moss. Though the book can feel a bit disjointed at times, its engaging main character makes it a truly memorable read.--Horan, Molly Copyright 2017 Booklist