Across the Desert

Description

Twelve-year-old Jolene spends every day she can at the library watching her favorite livestream: The Desert Aviator, where twelve-year-old "Addie Earhart" shares her adventures flying an ultralight plane over the desert. While watching this daring girl fly through the sky, Jolene can dream of what it would be like to fly with her, far away from her own troubled home life where her mother struggles with a narcotic addiction. And Addie, who is grieving the loss of her father, finds solace in her online conversations with Jolene, her biggest-and only-fan. Then, one day, it all goes wrong: Addie's engine abruptly stops, and Jolene watches in helpless horror as the ultralight plummets to the ground and the video goes dark. Jolene knows that Addie won't survive long in the extreme summer desert heat. With no one to turn to for help and armed with only a hand-drawn map and a stolen cell phone, it's up to Jolene to find a way to save the Desert Aviator. Packed with adventure and heart, Across the Desert speaks to the resilience, hope, and strength within each of us.

Dusti Bowling is the bestselling author of Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, 24 Hours in Nowhere, Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus, andThe Canyon's Edge. Dusti holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and lives in Arizona with her husband, three daughters, a dozen tarantulas, a gopher snake named Burrito, a king snake name Death Noodle, and a cockatiel named Gandalf the Grey.

"A powerful, heart-thumping story about survival and the inner strength it takes to reclaim life after trauma. Nora shows us that it's possible to emerge stronger than we've ever been before."--Ann Braden, award-winning author of The Benefits of Being an Octopus "A gutsy, page-turning tale of courage, survival, and healing, told in dynamic verse. The Canyon's Edge is powerful, unflinching, and full of heart."--Chris Baron, author of All of Me "Thrilling."--BookPage "You won't be able to stop turning pages of this gripping, unforgettable novel with emotional depth and resonance as you cheer for Nora to conquer her inner and outer beasts."--Donna Gephart, award-winning author of Lily and Dunkin, The Paris Project, and Abby, Tried and True * "Readers will soar along with Jolene into the prospect of better days."--Booklist, starred review "Experience has taught Jolene she can only count on herself, and she doesn't think she counts for much. But when she witnesses her friend's accident in the desert via live stream, she finds the strength to rescue them both. Across The Desert combines compelling adventure, honesty, danger, and love."--Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, two-time Newbery Honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author of The War That Saved My Life and Fighting Words. * "[A] tense, poignant story about the essential nature of friendship and life's unexpected possibilities." --Publishers Weekly, starred review * "Instantly compelling."--School Library Journal, starred review "A haunting, heart-pounding story of survival, brilliantly told in verse. The Canyon's Edge will inspire, uplift and resonate. I loved it!"--Barbara Dee, author of Maybe He Just Likes You and My Life in the Fish Tank Praise for The Canyon's Edge: * "Stunning.... an edge-of-your-seat read."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Powerful...a triumphant story of healing and bravery."--Booklist, starred review * "This emotionally resonant survival tale is a must-have."--School Library Journal, starred review "Beautifully written. [Dusti] Bowling is a master storyteller."--Midwest Book Review