Up Country

Named in the 100 "Best of the Best" ALA Best Books for Young Adults in the Last 25 Years Selection, Carter's gritty, compelling coming-of-age story now comes to mass-market paperback.

Carl knows heas playing with fire every time he fixes up a stolen car stereo to resell. But he needs the money; how else is he going to get away from his boozing mom and her endless parade of aclassy guysa? Then one night his motheras drinking gets out of control and Carlas plan to get himself a decent life takes a nosedive. Sent to live with distant relatives far away from the life he has always known, Carl is faced with a decision: run away and stick with The Plan, or come up with a new one . . . fast.

aA strong central character . . . a well-placed, believable plot.a
aSchool Library Journal, starred review
aCarlas . . . turnabout is convincing enough to sustain the storyas power.a
aBooklist, starred review