Applewhites Coast to Coast

Applewhites #3

by Stephanie S. Tolan, R.J. Tolan

This third story about the madcap family introduced in Stephanie Tolan’s Newbery Honor Book Surviving the Applewhites features even more outlandish adventures and will appeal to fans of the Applewhites and those meeting them for the first time.

E.D. and Jake are doing their best to forget their bewildering kiss—after all, they’re practically family—and get back to “normal” life with the decidedly abnormal, highly creative Applewhites.

When the family’s biggest fan, Jeremy Bernstein, pulls up to Wit’s End in an “Art Bus,” he brings with him a proposal for an Education Expedition: a cross-country road trip, educational quest, and video-documented competition for a big cash prize. Jeremy also drags along his troubled but beautiful niece, Melody. She’ll be joining the expedition with her own rebellious flair, much to Jake’s delight . . . and E.D.’s exasperation.

With characteristic Applewhite enthusiasm, the artists face disastrous performances, fainting goats, and some very bad ideas—but can they make it through the road trip in one piece?

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Juvenile

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 17, 2017

About the author

Stephanie S. Tolan's earliest memories involve books. Those that were read to her and those she read to herself, often late at night with a flashlight under the covers. She always thought there was a special magic in the little black marks on paper that could turn into whole worlds and real people. Born in Ohio and raised in Wisconsin, she wrote her first story in the fourth grade. It was thrilling to discover she could make the magic herself, and she decided then and there to be a writer.

Other ambitions came and went, but writing stayed on, and she majored in creative writing at Purdue University, then went on to a Master's Degree in English. Marriage and the sudden addition to her life of three young stepsons, and then a son, forced writing into the nooks and crannies, but she wrote poetry and plays for adults as she taught college English. In the mid-seventies, Stephanie began working in the Poets-in-the-Schools program in Pennsylvania. Her first group of students were fourth and fifth graders, and she found among them a new generation of intense readers, still using the flashlight-under-the-covers trick.

"They brought back to me that special reading joy that most adults, even the readers among us, have lost, and I wanted to try my hand at writing for those kids, so like myself at their age and yet so different."

The difference, she felt, was less in the children themselves than in the fast-changing world they lived in. Her writing for children and young adults, beginning with Grandpa -- And Me in 1978, has reflected that contemporary world.
Stephanie Tolan is also well known as an advocate for extremely bright children. She co-authored the award-winning nonfiction book, Guiding the Gifted Child, and has written many articles about the challenges gifted "asynchronous" children and adults face as they find a way to fit into their world. She lectures throughout the country to audiences of parents, educators and counselors attempting to find ways to meet the children's needs. Her experiences with these "amazing, off-the-charts" young people inspired the themes of Welcome to the Ark, a powerful novel about four brilliant young misfits in a world teetering on destruction.
Stephanie Tolan currently lives in Charlotte, NC, with her husband.

Reviews

[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a character that annoyed the heck out of me.
That is all.
Thank you

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the worst of the trilogy by a long shot. I think what bothers me the most is that there are no consequences. Randolph is a universal asshole (not to mention a bad driver - not sure why they let him drive a bus), Melody is a liar and manipulative, the kids have zero adult supervision, and nothing ever happens. No one learns any lessons or changes their behavior or even realizes they were wrong.

Melody in particular was unlikable. She really didn't have any redeeming qualities, unless you count beauty and (supposed) charm. I didn't find it that realistic that Jake kept falling for her BS, especially when it was just so mean spirited and unnecessary. At the end they tried to play some line about her feeling unloved, but I had zero sympathy for her after all the crap she did, and how unremorseful she was. She's basically a sociopath. And in the end, she gets her way and faces no consequences (does no one have to take responsibility for her running off? She's supposed to be in the Applewhite's care). They tried to establish her as a strong character by having her bash her head into a fence to intimidate a goat (?? WTF) but it just made her seem like a moron. Also, what happened to the training the goat got in the last book?

The whole bus thing was a bust - instead of spreading education, the Applewhites basically used the journey as a platform for themselves to show off. Besides the fact that the contest was completely stupid and went downhill fast, it was just a poor plot. I did like when the farmer with the fainting goats called Jake out on his rudeness. Too bad Melody was oblivious and not contrite.
Also, major fail when Hal said that the academy was created because of his social issues. No, it clearly states in book 1 that it happened because Randolph was angry that the science teacher wouldn't let Cordelia color the zebra with purple, and they were stifling her creative freedom. And if Destiny can go to public school, I hope E.D. can also. Or at least gets the option. The problem with their unschooling is that they're not really getting socialized in any way, just hanging around their own eccentric and toxic family.

The author has a problem with telling instead of showing. So after Jake's humiliating stage performance, suddenly you skip ahead to him making great strides because he's being mentored and doing much better - but you never see any of that. Details like that are important so that the reader can feel the character's growth.

[Rachel Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Applewhites Coast to Coast has a slow start—and then it resembles an ATV getting stuck in the mud at the bottom of a hill. Once it gets over its dull hump, the last hundred pages suddenly has a break-neck speed. This book had me rooting for the good guys, and in the end, very furious at the bad guy.
Melody is pure evil wolf in sheep’s clothing. I found her incredibly annoying from the beginning, but I expected the Applewhite family to change her. The Applewhites are a nontraditional family who started an academy for delinquent kids. They homeschool kids, focusing on art and creative expression. The story starts when Melody arrives at the Applewhite’s home, Wit’s End, with her uncle Jeremy. Her uncle asks the Applewhite family to take Melody as a student and introduces them to the idea of an “Educational Expedition.” A rich family called the Rutherfords is holding a contest for different home-based academies to teach around the country, and then record it for their national TV show. At the end of the expedition, the audience gets to choose which team will win the reward.
E. D. and her family is determined to do their best in the contest, holding onto their own principles rather than worry about winning. Edith, nicknamed “E.D.,” is opinionated and intelligent. She creates the curriculum for the family. She has an older brother Hal, who is a recluse, and a dignified sister named Cordelia, whom Melody dubbed “Princess.” Her five-year-old brother Destiny has only been homeschooled his entire life, so he does not know what it is like to interact with other kids. Other characters include Jake, a former delinquent who has changed his ways, and the children’s parents, grandpa, and aunt and uncle.
The Applewhites must remain true to themselves as they participate in this contest, while wrangling the ever-sassy Melody. They believe that every student is teachable, but it is possible that Melody is a lost cause.

[Jennifer Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is probably more like 3-3/4 stars.

In this third installment of the Applewhite series the Applewhites are convinced to join a cross-country road trip to share their art-based, experiential approach to education by their biggest fan, writer Jeremy Bernstein in an attempt to win a sizeable grant. Oh, but there's one catch. He is sending his troubled niece Melody, who as deceitful and manipulative as she is beautiful, with them in hopes of straightening her out as they did Jake.

Along the way, things are very awkward with Jake and E. D. after sharing a kiss at the end of the second book, as neither are sure what that means, and the fact that Jake can't stop looking at Melody doesn't help. E. D. wrestles with her identity and sense of self and personal style, as well as relationships with the opposite sex now that she is a teenager.

While I did not enjoy this book as much as the first two, it was still nice to have another visit with the eccentric, flaky, talented, and fabulous Applewhite family.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the Applewhite books, but still interesting.

They are "coast to coast" because they're traveling in 2 RVs across the US showing their unique method of schooling.

There's some romance and romance-gone-wrong here, as well as some situations where the difference clothing makes in how you're treated.

The story has a very reality-TV feel to it, with external editors changing to make things appear differently than they actually occurred. This could make it a good discussion tool for kids who can then talk about bias, editing, and how things can be made to appear differently.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know it’s good when after you finish it you want a) to reread it immediately and b) to read yet another sequel.

What can I say? I’ve been in love with the Applewhites since the first book and each book hits me in a different way. I love E.D.’s approach to life and the general zaniness of everyone in her family. My fave is Destiny... and Jake.

I may have struggled in the middle of this book because of the new character, but that’s me not enjoying second-hand embarrassment and the characters’ frustration. Still loved it!

It made me want to go off into the sunset on my own learning adventure.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Applewhites continue their adventures. For adults, not much has changed and the stories seem fairly similar. For middle grade readers, there is enjoyment is meeting well-loved characters and watching them engage in their regular behaviors in new settings. The joys of series books for middle graders cannot be overstated; this story retains its charm and appeal. I received my copy from the publisher through edelweiss.

[JennLynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this volume of Applewhite adventures better than the second, a little less than the first. The extended family (along with a somewhat irritating teenage newcomer) travels cross country in a pair of buses. Ostensibly they are promoting arts education for a competition, but they are being educated about themselves as much as anything.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Applewhites take their art cross-country as part of a competition that will award the winners money for their art. They are joined by a manipulative 15 yr old named Melody, who becomes the catalyst for a lot of change. E.D., Jake, and Hal like some of the changes, but also want to be true to themselves.

[Jessica]

I picked up this book because I remembered reading another of the books about the Applewhites.

The book was well written, fun and relatable for the audience it’s aimed at. Even though it’s for a younger audience than I am of, I had fun with it.

[Stephanie Mohler · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC- I liked this book- 1st one in series was better, but this was an enjoyable if predictable read.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven’t read the previous ones, one of which is a Newbery Honor, but this held up well enough on its own and shows an experienced hand.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, interesting characters, however, they felt a little more like sketches than in previous books.

[Luckless · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unlikable main character that was unnecessary to add; honestly the worst of the Applewhite books. Since this one has a co-author, I can only surmise most of the issues stem from R.J. Tolan, especially as this one is not listed as part of Stepahnie's own website. Melody reeks of 'OC Insert/Author's Darling/Editorial Mandated Character'

While the second book was a surprise sequel, the characters still held their charm and weren't completely awful and the camp kids were funny. I feel the third book could have pivoted to start ACTUALLY giving the kids options vis a vis Public School versus Homeschool, interactions with other kids their age, etc.

Also, Jake and E.D.'s Slap-Slap-Kiss romance FINALLY being concluded in Book 2, to just be completely reversed here made me so angry, it definitely felt like Melody was supposed to be a replacement goldfish for their now platonic relationship, instead of letting it develop naturally.

Also, they broke up in-between books? Our two main characters? Come on now. Suffice to say I basically do not consider this book canon to the Applewhite duology because I disliked it that much.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the ensemble of characters, but some of them were decidedly missing this time around in favor of a new character who hijacked the story (both literally and figuratively). The book probably deserves 2 stars, but I’ve enjoyed the series and would read another book about the Applewhites if it were ever published, so that gets the extra star.

[Mamiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this one the least of all among the three Applewhite series. The story felt kind of random, and accidents/twists-and-turns kept happening because (I felt) the authors just wanted to pack the story with them to distract them from not having enough content. I liked the characters so much better in the series 1 and 2, but this story felt disjointed.

[Jessica Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not have the same magic as the previous two. I love this family and particularly ED and Jake and their evolution. There was no need to bring in this inconsistent disrupting influence. The premise of traveling across country could have stood on its own without the uneven character who seemed only there to cause unnecessary trouble.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Applewhites series. I enjoyed it better than the others! The family goes cross-country to do an arts challenge. They get to know themselves & each other better, and succeed in some ways!

[Christy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, this book took me FOREVER to read. It was just... I don't know. It was a lot. There was so much going on, and so many characters, and I probably shouldn't have started in the middle of the series. But it was just way too much to get into, and I was so glad when it was finally over.

[Gaby Filippini · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a satisfying continuation of the Applewhites series. The conflicts age and scale with the Applewhite children, and the Education Expedition showcases the best and worst of the family in a way that is compelling and entertaining.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun adventure with the Applewhites, our favorite literary homeschoolers.

[Kaia Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book from the suriving applewhite seris I love. They are amazing books that every household with children should have.

[katya · Rating 3 out of 5]

the 'romance' was too pushed. guys stop obsessing over melody what'd she do