Told in interchanging voices, this heartfelt novel explores the emotional roller coaster of adolescence, and the heartaches and great joy that arise from taking chances as it follows 15-year-old Rosie, who runs away with Asher, the new boy from school.

Reviews

Gr 7-10-Rosie Moon, 15, lives in Perth, Australia, and wants some excitement in her life in this novel by Bridget Lowry (Holiday House, 2003). Asher Fielding, the new boy in school, is a mysterious rebel with dreadlocks and a guitar who doesn't follow the school dress code and wants to return to the life he had before his parents split up. When Asher is falsely accused of stealing a teacher's wallet, he and Rosie run away and hitchhike up the coast. They learn a lot about each other and about themselves, and come to realize that sometimes the road one takes is as important as where one wants to go. Kate Hosking brings alive the lyrical nature of the writing and engages listeners with a narration that is emotionally intense and easily distinguishes each character. This Australian import is realistic, romantic, and entertaining.-Stephanie A. Squicciarini, Fairport Public Library, NY Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

"Lowry's Australian lingo, lyrical descriptions, likeable characters, and creative format are sure to be an instant hit with teens." -"Kirkus"

"This Australian import has a delightful tranquility that persists all the way to a realistic, satisfying ending. An unassuming, charming book." -"Booklist"

"Lowry describes Australian land- and seascape in colorful detail. Her prose is crisply observant in some places, stream-of-consciousness in others, and full of British/Aussie humor and one-liners. This is a romantic, entertaining, and thoughtful novel." -"School Library Journal"

"[An] artfully constructed novel readers will likely be captivated by Lowry's playful narrative style, and they will easily empathize with most of the characters, from the free-spirited protagonists to the parents who worry over them." -"Publishers Weekly"

"A quirky kaleidoscope of skilled writing [a] special book." -"Voya "