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emilyctrigg 's review for:
Across the Desert
by Dusti Bowling
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced audio copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Y'all, when I tell you that this book broke me. Jolene is a 12 year old girl who has been through way too much in her short life. She lives for the daily livestreams from her favorite social media persona-- Addy Earheart. Addy flies on her Ultralite Trike every day and streams her adventures. Jolene feels like she's finally made a friend... until the day Addy crashes her glider while on livestream. Jolene tries everything she can to get help, but no one will believe her. This is when she sets off by herself to try to find her friend in the desert before it's too late.
This story was so heartbreakingly beautiful. Jolene is trying to find someone and ends up finding herself along the way. She makes friends, discovers her worth, and figures out how to stand up for herself. I legitimately cried multiple times while reading and will be purchasing this title immediately. It's a great story about bravery, friendship, self worth, and being lonely that would be great for any middle grade reader. There are a lot of complex topics that I would recommend discussing with a parental or guidance figure though. These include: drug use, CPS/foster system, internet safety, and obviously the biggest thing of all in the story is Jolene going off into the desert by herself with no plan and without actually telling anyone where she is going.
The narrator was absolutely amazing. She kinda sounds like Mandy Moore? Her emotions were perfect for Jolene and she fully acted her narration without being over the top. Would definitely recommend the audio version.
Y'all, when I tell you that this book broke me. Jolene is a 12 year old girl who has been through way too much in her short life. She lives for the daily livestreams from her favorite social media persona-- Addy Earheart. Addy flies on her Ultralite Trike every day and streams her adventures. Jolene feels like she's finally made a friend... until the day Addy crashes her glider while on livestream. Jolene tries everything she can to get help, but no one will believe her. This is when she sets off by herself to try to find her friend in the desert before it's too late.
This story was so heartbreakingly beautiful. Jolene is trying to find someone and ends up finding herself along the way. She makes friends, discovers her worth, and figures out how to stand up for herself. I legitimately cried multiple times while reading and will be purchasing this title immediately. It's a great story about bravery, friendship, self worth, and being lonely that would be great for any middle grade reader. There are a lot of complex topics that I would recommend discussing with a parental or guidance figure though. These include: drug use, CPS/foster system, internet safety, and obviously the biggest thing of all in the story is Jolene going off into the desert by herself with no plan and without actually telling anyone where she is going.
The narrator was absolutely amazing. She kinda sounds like Mandy Moore? Her emotions were perfect for Jolene and she fully acted her narration without being over the top. Would definitely recommend the audio version.