West With Hopeless - Hardcover

Carolyn Lieberg has previously published books for adults on sisterhood and life in the Midwest.

Grade 5-8–Every summer, Carin flies from her mother's home in Iowa to visit her dad in Nevada. This year, however, the 13-year-old is horrified to learn that her parents have arranged for her to drive to Reno with her half-sister, Hope, who has a job interview there. The sisters start out arguing, and because of some stops Hope insists on making, they don't even make it out of Iowa the first night. As they travel, they have a series of adventures in small towns and meet a variety of eccentric and kind strangers. Each unexpected turn of events worries Carin, but she gradually begins to appreciate Hope's easy-going nature. In the end, when Carin herself nearly leads them into disaster, she is surprised by her sister's forgiveness and understanding. Told by Carin, this novel is marred by uneven pacing and some unconvincing dialogue. However, the author does a wonderful job of capturing the girl's ever-shifting emotions, including her uncertain feelings about her half sister. Both of the characters are likable and interesting, and the odd-couple dynamic that develops between them is the most engaging aspect of the story. While slow in parts, the book will appeal to readers looking for road-trip tales, or to those who are both baffled and intrigued by older siblings.–Ashley Larsen, Woodside Library, CA
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