Young and old alike will be enchanted.
It’s a difficult thing to watch a loved one succumb to an illness. For twelve-year-old Caleb, watching his Papa Clem lose himself to dementia is no way to spend a birthday. With his overworked mother on his case about chores and a lovely nurse on duty at the assisted living facility, it’s no wonder Caleb spends so much time trying to keep his papa in good spirits. So when Papa Clem decides he wants a little adventure, Caleb feels like he can’t say no. The little adventure turns out to be a road trip several states away to fulfill a dream. Caleb learns a lot about his papa and his roots, and even more about himself.
Runaway Blues is a perfect story for middle-grade readers who are looking for adventure, but feel themselves tethered to reality by rules and expectations. Caleb is a delightful boy, filled with wide-eyed innocence and southern charm. His personal growth is rewarding, but not as rewarding as the moment that he realizes that he has been duped by his papa into taking an unsanctioned road trip. The visits to Autumn Springs really come alive with the addition of a lifelike cast of residents and a supportive nursing staff. Young and old alike will be enchanted with Caleb and Papa Clem in Pete Fanning’s latest novel.
