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hannahreadslotsofbooks's review against another edition
2.0
This book was disappointing to me. A lot of it seemed forced by having them pick up hitchhikers along the way and then they inexplicably leave when they haven’t reached their destination. I didn’t feel any connections with the characters and I feel like they flip flopped a lot on their feelings that were rushed through and didn’t make sense why they had the sudden change of heart. I didn’t see a whole lot of growth in the characters either and wasn’t a fan of all of the music references and how they had to take a side journey for all of the music options. Liked the other books in the trilogy, but this one was disappointing to end on.
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't care about Molly or Norman and their read trip, and the insertion of the Allmans and other 1969 icons. The best part were the photos and quotes from the real actors during that time, and there is a great playlist at the start of each chapter (sadly, the songs mentioned don't seem to have much to do with the chapters themselves).
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
sarahthereader's review
5.0
Amazing. I loved the first two in this trilogy so much and had been waiting for this one. I think this one is the BEST of the three. There were so many parts I re-read because they were just wonderful. A must read for everyone.
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
3.0
The third book in Wiles' 60s trilogy, this one takes place as the decade comes to a close in 1969. Featuring Molly and her cousin Norman driving a school bus across country to try to find Molly's brother Barry, who ran away from home, and whose number has come up in the draft. It's an American road trip story, and the story of the music of the late 1960s. The protagonists keep having their paths cross with unlikely characters--the Allman Brothers Band, sure; Elvis? Maybe not so much. (There was also a young boy named "Drew" who was described as wearing a crew cut and thick glasses. Was the author trying to wedge Drew Carey in this book for some reason?)
I think my favorite of the trilogy was the 2nd book, "Revolution," about the Civil Rights era, but I loved all the descriptions of songs in this one, and the connections that Norman made to music.
(I really wish editors would know that "Micky Dolenz" doesn't spell his first name with an "E.")
I think my favorite of the trilogy was the 2nd book, "Revolution," about the Civil Rights era, but I loved all the descriptions of songs in this one, and the connections that Norman made to music.
(I really wish editors would know that "Micky Dolenz" doesn't spell his first name with an "E.")
azajacks's review against another edition
4.0
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cmw119's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first, not as bad as the second. While I think the 60s gave us some great clothes and music, the entire hippie thing just makes me crinkle my nose and shake my head. It’s like going to a country concert, you go for the music and get irritated in 15 seconds by the crowd.
The most astonishing thing is we’re living the 60s over again right now and nobody seems to realize it.
The most astonishing thing is we’re living the 60s over again right now and nobody seems to realize it.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
5.0
A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, but can be read as a standalone too. It's 1969 and 14 year old Molly is on an old school bus, driven by her 17 year old cousin Norman, crossing the country from South Carolina to California, searching for her brother, whom she hopes to convince to come home before he leaves for the draft. He left home a year ago after a fight with their father, and Molly has been suffering emotionally ever since. Along the way, she and Norman will meet a series of famous and yet-to-be-famous musicians, and have many adventures--visiting a commune among them.
I loved seeing cameos by characters from the earlier two books, in which we get to know them 5 and 7 years later, as older teens and in a different stage of their lives. (Just one example: Ray, the African-American boy from book two, shows up now as a soldier.) This book also does not have the biographical sketches that the first two did; instead, there are many real-life historical figures from the music scene of 1969 written in as people who interact with the main characters, which was cool. The teens stop by a series of famous recording studios and meet The Allman Brothers Band and even Elvis Presley among others. But there were still several sections of quotes and black and white photographs from the era to set the scene, and this time each chapter is headed by a different song from the late sixties. I've never stopped reading a book at every chapter before, but for this one I would put down the book at each new chapter and go online to listen to the song before continuing to read, which was fun! I'd really thought I knew a lot about the music of the era but there were a few whose names I didn't recognize until I heard the music, or that I did not know at all, so I learned a few new songs. A good fun "road trip" novel to hand to teens, that will show them America in an important time of our history.
I loved seeing cameos by characters from the earlier two books, in which we get to know them 5 and 7 years later, as older teens and in a different stage of their lives. (Just one example: Ray, the African-American boy from book two, shows up now as a soldier.) This book also does not have the biographical sketches that the first two did; instead, there are many real-life historical figures from the music scene of 1969 written in as people who interact with the main characters, which was cool. The teens stop by a series of famous recording studios and meet The Allman Brothers Band and even Elvis Presley among others. But there were still several sections of quotes and black and white photographs from the era to set the scene, and this time each chapter is headed by a different song from the late sixties. I've never stopped reading a book at every chapter before, but for this one I would put down the book at each new chapter and go online to listen to the song before continuing to read, which was fun! I'd really thought I knew a lot about the music of the era but there were a few whose names I didn't recognize until I heard the music, or that I did not know at all, so I learned a few new songs. A good fun "road trip" novel to hand to teens, that will show them America in an important time of our history.
audreyboraski's review
3.0
Such a cute coming of age story! I would have been obsessed if I read it in High school.
librarydosebykristy's review
4.0
This was a great conclusion to an amazing trilogy. I listened to the audio and read the book together. I have to say that of the three, this one was my least favorite, but not because there was anything wrong with it. Rather, I just really loved the first two, particular the narration on the audio.
I love this approach to historical fiction, it feels completely immersive and you really get a sense of the time and place.
I love this approach to historical fiction, it feels completely immersive and you really get a sense of the time and place.