Welcome to Wahoo

by Dennis Carr, Elise Carr

Victoria has always been a spoiled wild child―and a source of worry to her parents, teachers and even her friends. But when her parents are hunted down by international assassins, Victoria and her no-fun, no-frills bodyguard, Adam, must flee her fancy European boarding school for…Wahoo, Nebraska? Chased by the mob, hiding out in the middle of nowhere, what's a poor little rich girl to do? In this funny and contemporary riches-to-rags tale, Victoria finds that being at the wrong end of a nasty smear campaign, the wrong end of a nearly-empty bank account, and the wrong end of the world can have rewards all its own.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

Paperback

First published May 2, 2006

Reviews

[Steen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, and very sad in some parts.
Also, a little unbelievable. It seems...ridiculous that a teenage girl truly wouldn't care about what others thought of her. But, hey, it was enjoyable. And admittedly empowering. :)

[Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't imagine why my elibrary library account fed me this book as a recommendation, but it did, and I enjoyed it. Wealthy socialite Victoria, 15, hides out as "Amanda" in small town Nebraska from mobsters out for her family's money and has to figure out how to blend in at a Midwestern high school. Shsdes of "The Simple LIfe" (which I have not seen, but it's been described to me) and the Nick Twisp novels, only cleaner and wholesome.

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart, funny and a fast read with more depth than expected. Victoria is ultra-snarky, but her ability to adapt as she finds herself planted in the middle of nowhere and make friends with Millicent force you to like her more and more as the story progresses. It may have been written 12 years ago, but it hasn't aged a bit.

[Kiran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much better than I expected!

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, had to read this when it came tripping through the store having grown up in Wahoo, NE. What I will say is that YA (Teen) Lit has come a long way since this book in 2009!.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to Wahoo, by Dennis and Elise Carr, tells the story of 17 year old Victoria van Wyck, the spoiled, bratty daughter of famous and rich parents. She is picked up from a long night of drinking and gambling, and in the morning, her parents arrive home in a panic, saying something about pverty, embezzlement, the Mafia, and hired assassins. The next thing she knows, the whole family is fleeing from 2 men, the "hired assassins", and she is sent off to live in a small town with a new identity. She becomes Amanda Jones, her parents' assistant becomes Uncle Bob, and the two abandon Victoria/Amanda's parents and move to Wahoo, Nebraska. Living with a mom, and daughter who Victoria quickly makes friends with the daughter, Millicent (she goes by Mills), Victoria experiences a new life in the small town of Wahoo. Dealing with jocks and jerks, the two girls build an unlikely relationship, and Victoria learns the true lesson that money can't buy happiness. Victoria feels like she can share anything and everything with Millicent, but can she keep her secret about her real life?
I thought the book Welcome to Wahoo was a very well thought out, clever book. It was unique to any other book I have read, and was filled to the brim with unexpected humor, plot twists, and sarcasm. It had a high vocabulary level, but it was still a fun read. This book definitely improved my vocabulary! Welcome to Wahoo told a great story of friendship, honesty, and being yourself. It also teaches that money is not important to happiness. I would recommend this book to girls 12+ who like realistic fiction.

[Ms.Goldstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria faces a rude awakening when she must flee from her family and her spoiled brat lifestyle to the middle of nowhere, USA. As she learns to adjust to the simple life, she discovers that there's more to her world than shopping and fine dining. Victoria is uncertain about whom she can trust, how to act in her new environment, and what will happen to her and her family if any of them are found. This novel is in places exciting, funny, and intriguing. The author gets the point across without becoming preachy.

[Tiffany Yu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a spoiled, rich girl who is always running into trouble. She counts herself lucky to be rich. She attends a private school for girls whos' families are wealthy. She had a perfect life and then, all of a sudden, her parents tell her that they have been accused of criminals. Now, the whole family has to go incognito; but good thing she had Adam, her trusty gaurd. She and Adam have to hide in the middle of nowhere; they have to stay in Wahoo, Nebraska. To her, it's a nightmare, they eat potatoes everyday. how much worse can it get?

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The idea of a spoiled rich girl being sent to a small town in Nebraska seems like it should make for a humorous adventure. Unfortunately the characters are never really developed and just as the plot/mystery seems to be heating up there is a twist and the book ends. It had such potential but it was poorly executed.

[GladiaTori E.A.L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is one of the worst books in the history of bad books. I just shut the book at the part when a spoiled rich girl in a Chanel fitted jacket was throwing up Perrier while some guys with eagle tattoos and machine guns came bursting into her hotel room in Sweden.

[Rachel]

this book i read for my book project(the one were you had to make the plot graph) anways it wasnt that good to me. if you like made up stories about a girl who has to say away from the american press because her dad is rich,then be my guest and read it. enjoy:) hope you like it.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really cute and funny. I read it quickly. The only thing at ALL that bothers me is, the segways between plot lines and chapters were jagged. I don't think it wrapped everything up as nicely as it could have.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took it off and added it again haha... Because this is the edition I read and the front of the page and I'm weird like that.

This book was really really good, cute funny... I think I will reread.

[Alex Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is about a teenage girl and she is in troble so she moves to america and that is alll i am going to tell you cause i am only on chapter 5.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great quick read with a fun, strong-minded character. Victoria/Amanda deals with all the stuff teens deal with in a positive way -- drinking, sex, bulllies, academics, you name it!

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar yet differnt from Bloomability. Older and more troublesome charecter.
Page turner every step.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw it and I wanted to read it. It was one of those books and your like this is dumb that would never happen. I liked it when I read but now when I think about it I don't really like it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and funny.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read! It was cute and funny!

[Amelia · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was an ok book. A little to petty for m taste, but was god enough.

[Dichotomy Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, but thought what her parents did was mean!

[Joelle Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just adore this book. So funny and one of my faves.

[Janelle Rouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a great underlying story, with an exciting twist at the end of the plot.
Great summer read.

[Mandi Ellsworth]

There were some witty moments, and I really do like Victoria's character, but I just found the whole thing to be... uninspiring. For me. I'm sure there are many others who would feel differently.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

For one thing the book isn't written very well. The authors should have done at least a little bit of research before writing the book. A town of 4,500 people having taxis? Oh, please.

[Alma Muhlecke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story and went at a good pace. I especially liked the Nebraska references. Would recommend to young adults and adults.

[Shazandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute voice.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really do have amazing people in Nebraska!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. A little like Bridget Jones in the tone and approach.