DuPrau, Jeanne. Car trouble, a novel

Kliatt, Jan, 2007 by Paula Rohrlick

DuPRAU, Jeanne. Car trouble, a novel. HarperCollins, Greenwillow. 274p. c2005. 0-06-0736755. $6.99. JS

To quote the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, September 2005: Duff, a somewhat clueless computer geek just graduated from high school in Virginia, has what sounds like a great job offer in California. Despite his parents' concerns, he sets out with high hopes to cross the country in a used car--and then the car breaks down, just a few hours from home. Determined to make it to San Jose on time to start the job, Duff arranges to deliver a vintage Chevy as a means of obtaining transportation, and he picks up a traveling companion, gregarious but untrustworthy Stu. They meet a girl named Bonnie, and the three of them head out together in the car for California--with, unknown to them, a pile of money concealed in the trunk and some bad guys on their tail. In the end, Duff finds himself on a "new road." following unexpected new interests.

DuPrau, the author of the YA SF best-sellers The City of Ember and The People of Sparks, tries her hand at contemporary fiction here, and crafts an intriguing road trip/coming-of-age tale with some interesting characters and plot twists. Thoughtful readers will enjoy Duff's adventures on his journey to California and towards adulthood. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.