West With Hopeless

By Carolyn Lieberg

Carin has always traveled west on airplanes to spend her summers with Dad. But this year her loser half sister, Hope, has to drive, and Carin is stuck riding shotgun. Crazy strangers await them at every stop, and with the strangest one of all behind the wheel, Carin is sure they're headed for disaster. Despite a bumpy start and some comical close calls, the trip becomes a journey of both miles and understanding. Keep one eye on the road and both hands on the wheel as you hit the highway with Carin and Hope, making memories at every turn

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525471944
• ISBN13: 9780525471943
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 0.8" x 5.7"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5

Customer Reviews

Take a Pleasure Trip

I love 'West with Hopeless." I admit to being a bit of a road junky and have made many a long, hot and astonishing road trip. Carolyn Lieberg's description of the monotony of the American freeway is right on. I got hot and thirsty just reading about it. And the Iowa picnic made me very nostalgic for some simple memory of childhood. But there is a lot more here than a travel book. (It is worth noting that it won an award from the "Friends of American Writers"). The good will lurking beneath the surface demeanor of the two sisters is a near parable for the sadly American trait of being unable to make the first, simple gesture of reconciliation in our family and circle of friends. That these two sisters must take a modern Odyssey in order to find a way to reconnect is sad but way too often true. "West with Hopeless" is an enjoyable read. It is also a brilliant plea for forgiveness, acceptance and reconciliation. That is a powerful message for a young adult audience. I had my two teenagers read it. They loved it and we all loved the opportunity to talk about barriers that no one wants to live with. Do yourself and your family and favor and read this book.