Review by Booklist Review
Quentin, known as Quagmire since grade school, needs to step up his game. His mom, who suffers from undiagnosed mental illness, is heading into a full-blown emotional spin and his current level of caretaking and question-dodging isn't going to cut it this time. When his mom takes him on a crazy road trip from New York into the Midwest and then abandons him, he must use his wits to survive. Discovering a heretofore unknown uncle, he moves in with him and begins to let go of his reins of control, realizing that it's OK to be 14 and not 40, as he opens up to a different kind of life. The author cleverly juxtaposes portraits of absurd bird behaviors with Quagmire's unfortunate yet comically told existence, illustrating the lengths all creatures go to to survive. This amazing story is told with deep understanding and touched with a humor forged through pain, delivering an exceptional experience that avoids maudlin stereotypes and instead captures emotions and situations with succinct sincerity; not a word is wasted. Perfect for middle-grade readers, especially those who gravitate towards books by Gary D. Schmidt, Daniel Nayeri, and Erin Bow. Buy it, read it, talk about it, and share the love by passing it on.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Blunt and compassionate characterizations personify this emotionally wrenching story by Larsen (Playing Through the Turnaround). Fourteen-year-old Quagmire Tiarello delights in having no specific plans for summer break until his crush Cassie recruits him as Foley guy for a radio play she's working on. He's thrown off-kilter when his mother's mental health takes a turn that's worse than any previous development: mom can be unpredictable when she's "having one of her spinning days." Soon, she ends up missing work, vandalizes a library garden, and disappears for a few days. Reticent Quag--who's accustomed to taking care of and covering for his mom--knows he can't tell anyone what's going on, not even Cassie. Upon his mother's return, she insists that they drive three hours to get a hot dog "with all the works." Quag is certain he can eventually direct her toward home, but their road trip takes a series of unsettling twists. Intermittent chapters featuring bird observations and audio file sound bites seamlessly connect numerous plotlines while adding texture to this gorgeously written story that centers a teen yearning for stability and support. An author's note concludes. The cast reads as white. Ages 8--12. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. (Sept.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Quagmire Tiarello, so often misunderstood by his peers and the adults in his life, has a strong sense of loyalty and fairness but little tolerance for rules or authority. This companion to Playing Through the Turnaround (rev. 9/22) focuses on Quag's life the summer before ninth grade -- and, given the situation, his attitude seems appropriate. Longtime loner Quag is still processing the unexpected connections he made at the end of eighth grade, and when his crush Cassie shows up wanting him to join her team at the local YMCA's ArtCamp to create sound effects for their radio play, he agrees in order to be near her. He also (accidentally) takes up bird watching. Meanwhile, his mother is "spinning" again, and while Quag has always managed her erratic behavior on his own, it's worse this time. Everything spirals out of control until Quag finds himself trapped in the car with his mom, many states west of home and going too fast. His abrupt exit from camp adds frustration to the rapidly escalating tension as his circumstances shift from concerning to dangerous overnight. Interspersed throughout are descriptions of audio files collected at pivotal moments and interesting facts about birds that help develop the plot in thought-provoking ways. Moving and quick-paced, this novel gives readers valuable insight into a character who normally avoids such attention and thus sympathy too. An author's note includes more information about the story with specifics about mental health challenges. Julie RoachNovember/December 2024 p.90 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Fourteen-year-old Quentin "Quagmire" Tiarello takes care of his mother, who has undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Sometimes his mom disappears for a couple of days. While he waits for her to return after "a spin," Quag, who presents white, tries to survive on his own, even if that means scavenging from a pizza parlor's dumpster. He already knows that her illness must remain secret, so he avoids the nosy neighbor and keeps to himself. But after his crush, Cassie, invites him to join her and her friends at the YMCA's ArtCamp, Quag signs on to operate the soundboard for their radio play. Eventually, though, his mom shows up outside the Y, and Quag is taken for a wild ride: She whisks him far away from their home in central New York, leaving his friends in the dark. Quag realizes, though, that he can't keep his mother safe anymore. After seeking help from his uncle, Quag must decide whether or not to open up to his friends. The novel realistically and empathetically addresses struggles around mental illness: Quag takes on heavy adult responsibilities with intelligence and compassion, and, despite his mother's abandonment of him, readers understand Quag's love for her as he recounts her more resilient and caring moments. Short passages about birds interspersed throughout the narrative reflect Quag's personal growth. Readers will find themselves emotionally invested in this journey. An original narrative voice filled with humor and poignant truth telling. (author's note with resources)(Fiction. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
