Once Upon a Road Trip (Once Upon a Road Trip #1)

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Publisher Name
Artifice Press
Age Range
13+
Release Date
November 01, 2013
ISBN13
9780989580977
ISBN10 or ASIN
      

Eighteen-year-old Angeli doesn’t “fit in.” She’s never been on a single date, and she lives vicariously through an online world of storytelling. With the pressures of choosing a practical future path bearing down, she needs a drastic change. Too old to run away from home, she opts instead to embark on a solo 2-month road trip. But her freedom is tempered by loneliness — and anxiety tests her resolve as she comes face-to-face with her quirky internet friends. Aside from contracting mono and repeatedly getting herself lost, Angeli’s adventure is mired by more unforeseen glitches — like being detained by Canadian authorities, and a near-death experience at the hands of an overzealous amateur wrestler. Her odyssey is complicated further when she unwittingly earns the affections of two young men. One a privileged martial artist; the other a talented techie with a colorful past. Bewildered by the emotions they stir, Angeli spurns the idea of a doomed long-distance relationship. But she is unprepared for the determination of her hopeful suitors. In the wake of her refusal, one man will betray her, and the other will prove himself worthy of a place in her future. Angeli sets off in search of a better understanding of herself, the world, and her place in it. What she finds is an impractical love, with the potential to restore her faith in happy endings. A true story with an unapologetically honest outlook on life, love, faith, and adventure — Once Upon A Road Trip is a coming-of-age memoir.

Eighteen-year-old Angeli doesn’t “fit in.” She’s never been on a single date, and she lives vicariously through an online world of storytelling. With the pressures of choosing a practical future path bearing down, she needs a drastic change. Too old to run away from home, she opts instead to embark on a solo 2-month road trip. But her freedom is tempered by loneliness — and anxiety tests her resolve as she comes face-to-face with her quirky internet friends. Aside from contracting mono and repeatedly getting herself lost, Angeli’s adventure is mired by more unforeseen glitches — like being detained by Canadian authorities, and a near-death experience at the hands of an overzealous amateur wrestler. Her odyssey is complicated further when she unwittingly earns the affections of two young men. One a privileged martial artist; the other a talented techie with a colorful past. Bewildered by the emotions they stir, Angeli spurns the idea of a doomed long-distance relationship. But she is unprepared for the determination of her hopeful suitors. In the wake of her refusal, one man will betray her, and the other will prove himself worthy of a place in her future. Angeli sets off in search of a better understanding of herself, the world, and her place in it. What she finds is an impractical love, with the potential to restore her faith in happy endings. A true story with an unapologetically honest outlook on life, love, faith, and adventure — Once Upon A Road Trip is a coming-of-age memoir.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
Go on an adventure across country
Overall rating
 
4.3
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Plot
 
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There are not a lot of memoirs for YA that feel accessible to a broad range of readers. Angela Blount’s memoir grabs your attention from the very first page. The story was engaging till the very end. The way she captures your attention is flawless. As a reader, you feel every emotional up and down she goes through on her travels. I think may young adults and adults will feel a strong connection with the experiences Angeli experiences on her journey cross-country.

As an adult, I felt a strong connection to Blunt’s description of the world post 9/11. I remember a world where we all knew about cells phones, but we didn’t all carry them with us all the time. We relied on landlines and dial up Internet to keep in contact with others. The Internet, email, even Facebook was not available at our fingertips. You could still find a working pay phone at almost every corner and pick up a paper map at a store.

Besides my connections to Angeli’s past, teenagers and young adults can find solace that despite all the issues they face today in a world of cyber bullying and hardship, there is still hope. Angeli’s struggles are similar to many teens today. She has her share of social struggles, not really feeling like she fits in, and is often bullied because of it. She meets other teens who struggle with being different and Angeli starts to realize that she isn’t alone.

This is a great memoir about self-discovery and searching for meaning in life. Angela Blount does a fabulous job depicting real people and the issues many people face even today. I love how each person Angeli meets on her trip, while they have their flaws, are good at heart. They are real. This is a memoir everyone should read.
Good Points
Wonderful Memoir for YA
Real insight
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