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Across the Desert
One girl sets out on a journey across the treacherous Arizona desert to rescue a young pilot stranded after a plane crash.
Twelve-year-old Jolene spends every day she can at the library watching her favorite livestream: The Desert Aviator, where twelve-year-old “Addie Earhart” shares her adventures flying an ultralight plane over the desert. While watching this daring girl fly through the sky, Jolene can dream of what it would be like to fly with her, far away from her own troubled home life where her mother struggles with a narcotic addiction. And Addie, who is grieving the loss of her father, finds solace in her online conversations with Jolene, her biggest—and only—fan.
Then, one day, it all goes wrong: Addie's engine abruptly stops, and Jolene watches in helpless horror as the ultralight plummets to the ground and the video goes dark. Jolene knows that Addie won’t survive long in the extreme summer desert heat. With no one to turn to for help and armed with only a hand-drawn map and a stolen cell phone, it's up to Jolene to find a way to save the Desert Aviator.
Twelve-year-old Jolene spends every day she can at the library watching her favorite livestream: The Desert Aviator, where twelve-year-old “Addie Earhart” shares her adventures flying an ultralight plane over the desert. While watching this daring girl fly through the sky, Jolene can dream of what it would be like to fly with her, far away from her own troubled home life where her mother struggles with a narcotic addiction. And Addie, who is grieving the loss of her father, finds solace in her online conversations with Jolene, her biggest—and only—fan.
Then, one day, it all goes wrong: Addie's engine abruptly stops, and Jolene watches in helpless horror as the ultralight plummets to the ground and the video goes dark. Jolene knows that Addie won’t survive long in the extreme summer desert heat. With no one to turn to for help and armed with only a hand-drawn map and a stolen cell phone, it's up to Jolene to find a way to save the Desert Aviator.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 2021
139 people are currently reading
4212 people want to read
About the author
Dusti Bowling
21 books1,302 followersDUSTI BOWLING grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. She released her first middle grade novel in 2017 and hasn't stopped writing since.
Dusti's books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for a Cybil and over fifty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti currently lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals.
Follow her on Twitter at @DustiBowling.
Dusti's books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for a Cybil and over fifty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti currently lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals.
Follow her on Twitter at @DustiBowling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 562 reviews
February 18, 2021
I'm so excited to share Jolene's journey with all of you!
March 30, 2022
In a Nutshell: A wonderful adventure story for middle graders, though the parent in me wasn’t too happy with a few of the decisions taken by the three young protagonists.
Story:
There is a lot in the story that middle graders will enjoy. Addie’s passion for flying is enthusiastic and her daredevilry seems intriguing. Jolene’s troubles with her mother also strike a chord. There is a lot of humour and emotion in the story. This, plus the adventurous rescue effort, is bound to make them happy.
The story covers quite a few relevant themes, including Jolene’s low self-confidence because of her looks, her mother’s opioid addiction, and the issues of online safety and risks of talking with virtual acquaintances. Most of these are covered well.
Jolene’s efforts to rescue Addie go somewhat predictably and even irritably, what with one issue after another. There’s one line in the story that goes, “This whole ordeal feels like obstacle after obstacle.” Well, I felt the same way. More importantly, the parent part of me wasn’t too happy with some of the decisions taken by Jolene. Granted, she had her reasons to go on this daring sojourn without her mother, but there is always someone to approach for help, ALWAYS. Stealing your parents’ phone and credit card and assuming you can handle the rest, lying about your online activities or whereabouts, making a rescue plan that doesn’t include the safety of yourself too - none of these are takeaways I want kids to have. All of these can be taken as lessons on what not to do, provided kids understand this as such.
The audiobook clocks at 6 hrs 13 min and is narrated by Stacy Gonzalez. She does a fabulous job of bringing all the characters to life and I enjoyed her performance from start to end.
All in all, this is a good story, and I hope kids read it with the right approach and take the correct takeaways from it rather than treating it as a sanction to proceed with ill-advised solo adventures.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Across the Desert”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Twelve year old Jolene loves watching the livestream videos of her online friend Addie as the latter flies her ultralight plane over the Arizona desert. Jolene finds Addie’s adventures a virtual escape from her personal issues as her mother battles an opioid addition. Addie, who is struggling to come back to normalcy after the death of her father a few months before, loves interacting with Jolene, her biggest fan and the one person always there to watch her live feed.
During one such livestream, Addie’s plane engine stops and Addie crashes somewhere in the desert. The only witness to the accident is Jolene, whom no one is ready to believe. Will Jolene be able to save her virtual friend using the limited knowledge and resources she has?
The story is narrated in the first person perspective of Jolene.
There is a lot in the story that middle graders will enjoy. Addie’s passion for flying is enthusiastic and her daredevilry seems intriguing. Jolene’s troubles with her mother also strike a chord. There is a lot of humour and emotion in the story. This, plus the adventurous rescue effort, is bound to make them happy.
The story covers quite a few relevant themes, including Jolene’s low self-confidence because of her looks, her mother’s opioid addiction, and the issues of online safety and risks of talking with virtual acquaintances. Most of these are covered well.
Jolene’s efforts to rescue Addie go somewhat predictably and even irritably, what with one issue after another. There’s one line in the story that goes, “This whole ordeal feels like obstacle after obstacle.” Well, I felt the same way. More importantly, the parent part of me wasn’t too happy with some of the decisions taken by Jolene. Granted, she had her reasons to go on this daring sojourn without her mother, but there is always someone to approach for help, ALWAYS. Stealing your parents’ phone and credit card and assuming you can handle the rest, lying about your online activities or whereabouts, making a rescue plan that doesn’t include the safety of yourself too - none of these are takeaways I want kids to have. All of these can be taken as lessons on what not to do, provided kids understand this as such.
The audiobook clocks at 6 hrs 13 min and is narrated by Stacy Gonzalez. She does a fabulous job of bringing all the characters to life and I enjoyed her performance from start to end.
All in all, this is a good story, and I hope kids read it with the right approach and take the correct takeaways from it rather than treating it as a sanction to proceed with ill-advised solo adventures.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Across the Desert”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
September 23, 2023
4.25 adventurous ⭐
Genre ~ children's fiction (ages 8-12)
Publication date ~ October 12, 2021
Page Count ~ 321
Audio length ~ 6 hours 13 minutes
Narrator ~ Stacy Gonzalez
What an incredible, heartwarming story of adventure and friendship.
12 year old Jolene doesn't have many friends and her mother developed a drug addiction after they were in a car accident. She is very lonely, until she starts watching Addie Earhart live stream her flights in an ultralight plane across the desert. They begin to chat online and slowly start to get to know each other.
During one viewing Addie crashes. Since Jolene is her only subscriber she knows she has to find help for her. Nobody is taking her seriously since she really doesn't know where the accident actually happened and she's a kid. Jolene goes above and beyond to save someone she’s never met in person and even meets a new friend along the way, Marty.
As a mother it was a little scary to read about all the choices this young girl made, so I hope children reading this don't think it's okay to do the same things Jolene did.
I am very happy with how everything turned out in the end.
Narration notes:
Perfect, she did a great job showing emotion when needed.
*Thanks to Netgalley, RB Media and Dusti Bowling for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ children's fiction (ages 8-12)
Publication date ~ October 12, 2021
Page Count ~ 321
Audio length ~ 6 hours 13 minutes
Narrator ~ Stacy Gonzalez
What an incredible, heartwarming story of adventure and friendship.
12 year old Jolene doesn't have many friends and her mother developed a drug addiction after they were in a car accident. She is very lonely, until she starts watching Addie Earhart live stream her flights in an ultralight plane across the desert. They begin to chat online and slowly start to get to know each other.
During one viewing Addie crashes. Since Jolene is her only subscriber she knows she has to find help for her. Nobody is taking her seriously since she really doesn't know where the accident actually happened and she's a kid. Jolene goes above and beyond to save someone she’s never met in person and even meets a new friend along the way, Marty.
As a mother it was a little scary to read about all the choices this young girl made, so I hope children reading this don't think it's okay to do the same things Jolene did.
I am very happy with how everything turned out in the end.
Narration notes:
Perfect, she did a great job showing emotion when needed.
*Thanks to Netgalley, RB Media and Dusti Bowling for the advance audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
September 28, 2021
If you are a child living with someone who is addicted to opioids or some other substance, Dusti Bowling sees you. She wrote this book just for you. Jolene is twelve and her mother is addicted to oxycodone after a serious car accident. Life is very one-dimensional for Jolene. She is teased at school, her mother is unable to work, it is summer, and the one person who offers friendship to Jolene is a girl who livestreams her glider flights. When a flight ends in disaster, Jolene sets off across Arizona to help the daredevil pilot who calls herself Addie Earhart. The trip is difficult and Jolene is less than prepared. Many things go wrong, but enough goes right including an opportune meeting with a scrappy older teenager named Marty. Can Jolene find Addie in time? Will she let Marty in on her mission? What about Jolene's mom? How can she get help? Dusti Bowling has once again captivated our hearts and senses with a perilous desert tale that will touch your heart and give you hope. I'll be looking for this book to make its way onto some reward lists -- Newbery?
Thank you to Little, Brown Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Little, Brown Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2025
This is a Middle Grade that takes you on Action Packed Adventure. I really loved every minute I spend reading this book. I love all the characters in this book, and I really love Jolene. As an Adult reading this book it shown me we need to listen to children more because I can see what happen in this book really happen. It is sad no Adult in this book listen to Jolene because she is a Kid. I think this book also shows drug use can start by getting hurt and taking pain meds. This book covers some important topics, but does it so well. Love this book so much. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) or author (Dusti Bowling) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
December 22, 2021
This one just wasn't for me. I just couldn't get over the level of unbelievability. I was on board for a few chapters, but after a while it was just so outrageous I couldn't. I also didn't like that one of the secondary characters kept using the word "cuss" in place of the f-word. Like kids reading this aren't going to know what that means? Overall just not my cup of tea.
September 8, 2024
5 Stars for Across the Desert (audiobook) by Dusti Bowling read by Stacy Gonzalez.
This story starts out in a library in Phoenix that I’ve actually been in. It’s so much fun when I can really picture where action is happening.
I really enjoyed this YA adventure, I think it’s appropriate for a wide age range. It does deal with some serious issues but in a gentle way. And some of the adventure was kind of death defying but with a good message.
This story starts out in a library in Phoenix that I’ve actually been in. It’s so much fun when I can really picture where action is happening.
I really enjoyed this YA adventure, I think it’s appropriate for a wide age range. It does deal with some serious issues but in a gentle way. And some of the adventure was kind of death defying but with a good message.
March 11, 2023
I'm torn between giving this a full 4 stars or doing 3.5...honestly, I can't decide...lol...
Characters:
Jolene was cute, I liked her most of the time, but sometimes it felt like her thoughts were repetitive, and it annoyed me.
Marty-I loved Marty! She was sooo funny! Minus that it's implied she cussed, she was so fun!!! I honestly loved her character!!!
Addi, her role was so small I never did decide what to think of her...
Theme:
That we all need help...that we need to believe in ourselves, and that sometimes all we need to do the right thing is for someone to believe in us.
Language:
Implied, but it never is said...Marty says things like, "Cursing phone, cursing..." but she never says a word, always just cursing or cuss.
Elements:
This book deals with self worth and a parent with a drug problem. So if it were a younger foster kid who had or has a parent with a drug problem, I wouldn't recommend it unless the problem was under control. Otherwise, I'd pass on this read.
Overall:
I couldn't decide what to think for the most part...most of the story I liked but bad thing after bad thing happened with nothing good or going Jo's way that it made it hard to feel for her after a while...it just became, let me guess this goes wrong too, nailed it. So, I guess I would have liked a few more things to go Jo's way because I started losing interest after a while...other than that it was a cute story!
Characters:
Jolene was cute, I liked her most of the time, but sometimes it felt like her thoughts were repetitive, and it annoyed me.
Marty-I loved Marty! She was sooo funny! Minus that it's implied she cussed, she was so fun!!! I honestly loved her character!!!
Addi, her role was so small I never did decide what to think of her...
Theme:
That we all need help...that we need to believe in ourselves, and that sometimes all we need to do the right thing is for someone to believe in us.
Language:
Implied, but it never is said...Marty says things like, "Cursing phone, cursing..." but she never says a word, always just cursing or cuss.
Elements:
This book deals with self worth and a parent with a drug problem. So if it were a younger foster kid who had or has a parent with a drug problem, I wouldn't recommend it unless the problem was under control. Otherwise, I'd pass on this read.
Overall:
I couldn't decide what to think for the most part...most of the story I liked but bad thing after bad thing happened with nothing good or going Jo's way that it made it hard to feel for her after a while...it just became, let me guess this goes wrong too, nailed it. So, I guess I would have liked a few more things to go Jo's way because I started losing interest after a while...other than that it was a cute story!
March 17, 2021
I admit, I was skeptical at first. I couldn’t believe a young girl would decide to search the desert for an online friend who she believed crashed her small airplane and needed help. But, the more I read, the more I was able to suspend my disbelief and become swept away by the story. I was captivated by the relationship between JoJo, the main character, and Marty, the teenage girl she meets along the way. I was also fully engrossed in learning about JoJo’s mom and her struggles with opioid addiction. Together, the desert adventure, the budding friendship, and internal struggles of the main character blended into an incredibly powerful story of bravery and courage. I highly recommend this middle grade novel to teachers, librarians and kids who love adventures and a hopeful, heartwarming ending.
Thank you to the author for providing an Advance Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review.
#LitReviewCrew
Thank you to the author for providing an Advance Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review.
#LitReviewCrew
August 15, 2022
This is a beautifully written middle grade novel that is both an adventure book and an empathy builder around loss and opioid addiction. Hand this to mature readers in 4th-7th grade, with the caveat that it might be a good idea to co-read this with the youngest of that group. Please please please put this in the hands of any child who loves someone or has lost someone to opioid addiction. Dusti Bowling wrote the book specifically for these children to help them feel less alone.
September 17, 2025
Either 4 or 3.5 can't decide...
August 4, 2021
Thank you Dusti Bowling and Little Brown Books for sharing a copy in exchange for a review.
I DEVOURED this book. I’ve been having trouble focusing on books lately, but not this one! I was angry at Jolene the whole time for risking her life, yet I felt sympathetic to why she was wanting to rescue her friend Addie. I loved Marty and want more of her story too. The characters were so good, of course the setting was brilliant (Dusti is very talented in setting descriptions) and I loved the history and female adventure-seekers sprinkled throughout. Great read and I know my students will love it.
I DEVOURED this book. I’ve been having trouble focusing on books lately, but not this one! I was angry at Jolene the whole time for risking her life, yet I felt sympathetic to why she was wanting to rescue her friend Addie. I loved Marty and want more of her story too. The characters were so good, of course the setting was brilliant (Dusti is very talented in setting descriptions) and I loved the history and female adventure-seekers sprinkled throughout. Great read and I know my students will love it.
May 25, 2023
Across the Desert is a heart-pounding middle grade novel about self-worth, friendships, and the struggle of a parent with addiction. It features a strong-willed heroine willing to sacrifice her wellbeing to save a friend, even when other people don’t believe her. Fans of books like Barbara Dee’s Violets Are Blue (also about addiction) and Megan E. Freeman’s Alone (survival fiction) will enjoy this one.
May 31, 2025
This book was okay. It was cool to read about Jolene’s journey, but this book isn’t really my cup of tea. I would have loved this when I was younger, but I don’t really like this. To be honest, there was one thing that really set me off about this book, and it was something not important. Whenever there would be a section about Jolene and Addie’s texts, it just didn’t make sense. That is NOT how 12 year old girls talk, let alone text. It just sounded like a grown woman trying to replicate that…..badly.
October 19, 2021
4 stars
Nothing to say for now...just that I really missed middle grade!
Full RTC
Nothing to say for now...just that I really missed middle grade!
Full RTC
May 2, 2022
Format: audiobook
Author: Dusti Bowling ~ Title: Across the Desert ~ Narrator: Stacy Gonzalez
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Twelve-year-old Jolene likes to escape her troubled life by going to the library and watching a live stream of Addie flying an ultralight plane through the desert. Her mother is an addict, and she has no friends since her only friend moved away. After she sees her online friend Addie crash her ultralight plane in the middle of the desert, Jolene is determined to save her. A courageous journey where Jolene learns that this act of bravery was not as simple as she thought. But on the way, she meets a new friend and finds hope.
Maybe a bit unbelievable adventure, but, hey, this is a middle-grade book. On the other hand, I can clearly picture a twelve-year-old kid thinking like that and making similar decisions.
The narration by Stacy Gonzalez is excellent for a middle-grade adventure book.
To conclude, kids will enjoy this book. Although, I would appreciate it more if it would cover more online safety.
Thanks to Tantor Audio for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Author: Dusti Bowling ~ Title: Across the Desert ~ Narrator: Stacy Gonzalez
Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars
Complete audiobook review
Twelve-year-old Jolene likes to escape her troubled life by going to the library and watching a live stream of Addie flying an ultralight plane through the desert. Her mother is an addict, and she has no friends since her only friend moved away. After she sees her online friend Addie crash her ultralight plane in the middle of the desert, Jolene is determined to save her. A courageous journey where Jolene learns that this act of bravery was not as simple as she thought. But on the way, she meets a new friend and finds hope.
Maybe a bit unbelievable adventure, but, hey, this is a middle-grade book. On the other hand, I can clearly picture a twelve-year-old kid thinking like that and making similar decisions.
The narration by Stacy Gonzalez is excellent for a middle-grade adventure book.
To conclude, kids will enjoy this book. Although, I would appreciate it more if it would cover more online safety.
Thanks to Tantor Audio for the ALC and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
May 30, 2024
5/28/24 Upped the star rating from 3 to 4, a very enjoyable reread.
Jo (aka Jolene) and Addie are two twelve-year-old girls who meet online. Addie is an adventure girl who flies her Dad's ultralight . Jo's mother is hooked on painkillers that she started taking after she and Jo were in a car accident a couple years prior to the start of this story. When Addie crashes her plane during a livestream, Jo is the only witness.
Now Jo must figure out how to save her. Her mother, the police and the park rangers aren't listening to her. She can't get in touch with Addie's Mom as she doesn't know Addie's real name. They had been referring to each other as JoJo12 and Addie Earhart online.
Left with what she feels is no other choice, Jo sets out to find Addie. Can a girl who's never left the city of Phoenix, Arizona survive in an unfamiliar desert landscape? Will her Mom figure out she is gone and if she does, is she too addicted to care? Fans of Deep Water will like this too.
Jo (aka Jolene) and Addie are two twelve-year-old girls who meet online. Addie is an adventure girl who flies her Dad's ultralight . Jo's mother is hooked on painkillers that she started taking after she and Jo were in a car accident a couple years prior to the start of this story. When Addie crashes her plane during a livestream, Jo is the only witness.
Now Jo must figure out how to save her. Her mother, the police and the park rangers aren't listening to her. She can't get in touch with Addie's Mom as she doesn't know Addie's real name. They had been referring to each other as JoJo12 and Addie Earhart online.
Left with what she feels is no other choice, Jo sets out to find Addie. Can a girl who's never left the city of Phoenix, Arizona survive in an unfamiliar desert landscape? Will her Mom figure out she is gone and if she does, is she too addicted to care? Fans of Deep Water will like this too.
June 29, 2021
Thanks to Edelweiss plus for an eArc of this book.
Just like all of Bowling's other books, I loved this. She has become an auto-read author for me. This was a fun, adventurous story that deals with addiction. I have read other middle grade books dealing with addiction but most have been geared toward a bit older audience. This book would be good for 3rd through 5th grade students. I really liked the main characters in this book and was rooting for all three girls. Highly recommended.
Just like all of Bowling's other books, I loved this. She has become an auto-read author for me. This was a fun, adventurous story that deals with addiction. I have read other middle grade books dealing with addiction but most have been geared toward a bit older audience. This book would be good for 3rd through 5th grade students. I really liked the main characters in this book and was rooting for all three girls. Highly recommended.
January 1, 2024
My love for reading middle grade novels has only increased since becoming a teacher, and this book is one that keeps me reading them! My class voted Across the Desert as our read aloud and I had to bring it home over Christmas break to finish it myself!
This book had SO many opportunities for deep conversation to spark. We talked about how Jolene boxes away all of her feelings instead of dealing with them and what that can do it a person. We talked about addiction and how serious that is. We talked about being a friend who is persistent when checking in on other friend’s safety. It might feel like you’re being annoying, but their safety is what matters most in the end.
Also not me crying at the author’s note. Dusti, thank you for writing a book so close to your heart and personal experiences. I hope this book touches my students the same way it touched me.
This book had SO many opportunities for deep conversation to spark. We talked about how Jolene boxes away all of her feelings instead of dealing with them and what that can do it a person. We talked about addiction and how serious that is. We talked about being a friend who is persistent when checking in on other friend’s safety. It might feel like you’re being annoying, but their safety is what matters most in the end.
Also not me crying at the author’s note. Dusti, thank you for writing a book so close to your heart and personal experiences. I hope this book touches my students the same way it touched me.
September 9, 2022
A Maine Student Book Award Nominee for 2022|2023
Wow. This book was beautiful and honest and real and heartbreaking.
Jolene is obsessed with adventure; planes maps and going anywhere other than her tiny apartment with her mom who has been struggling.
When her online friend Addie goes missing in the Arizona desert, Jolene is the only person who knows where she is. Will she get to her before it’s too late?
Filled with adventure and heart, this book was absolute perfection. It may be tied for my favorite MSBA read for the year. I will caution readers about TW: drug use, and death.
Wow. This book was beautiful and honest and real and heartbreaking.
Jolene is obsessed with adventure; planes maps and going anywhere other than her tiny apartment with her mom who has been struggling.
When her online friend Addie goes missing in the Arizona desert, Jolene is the only person who knows where she is. Will she get to her before it’s too late?
Filled with adventure and heart, this book was absolute perfection. It may be tied for my favorite MSBA read for the year. I will caution readers about TW: drug use, and death.
May 1, 2024
3.75 stars
Lovely middle grade read, despite the heavy topic. The characters are quite loveable, the adventurous story is gripping and the alternating between the present and the past was nicely done.
Characters 7
Atmosphere 8
Writing Style 7
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 8
Execution/Pace 8
Execution/Setup 8
Enjoyment/Engrossment 8
Narration 7
Lovely middle grade read, despite the heavy topic. The characters are quite loveable, the adventurous story is gripping and the alternating between the present and the past was nicely done.
Characters 7
Atmosphere 8
Writing Style 7
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 8
Execution/Pace 8
Execution/Setup 8
Enjoyment/Engrossment 8
Narration 7
November 18, 2022
Jolene loves watching a livestream of "Addie Earhart," a fellow Arizona girl who flies an ultralight plane. When the ultralight crashes during a livestream and Jolene is the only witness, she knows she must get help for Addie. The problem is no one believes her, and she can't bring attention to her mom who struggles with an opiod addiction. So Jolene sets off on her own to find and save Addie.
At first I was a little disturbed by what message this might be sending to students about relationships built online, but one of the secondary characters in the book does a great job of talking to Jolene about the potential dangers.
Another great book by Dusti Bowling. I'm a fan of her novels, and I can't wait to recommend this action-packed survival book - which also deals with the topic of addiction in a powerful way - to middle grade readers.
At first I was a little disturbed by what message this might be sending to students about relationships built online, but one of the secondary characters in the book does a great job of talking to Jolene about the potential dangers.
Another great book by Dusti Bowling. I'm a fan of her novels, and I can't wait to recommend this action-packed survival book - which also deals with the topic of addiction in a powerful way - to middle grade readers.
February 21, 2024
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Across the Desert is a captivating survival story about not giving up on someone who needs you. Jolene feels helpless in her home life—ever since a serious accident, she constantly skates the boundaries of a panic attack while her mom grows more and more neglectful and dependent on painkillers. All Jolene can do is try to hold things together well enough so she can hide the fact that her world is on the brink of disaster. The last thing she wants is for social services to take her away like they did her friend. So, when Jolene witnesses another accident and no one seems to believe her, she decides that this time she will take matters into her own hands. She can’t sit still and do nothing. Jolene sets off on a trek across the desert to save her friend—but the journey is fraught with complications and near-disasters. I’ll admit that I sometimes had to let go of the fact that Jolene (and eventually her new friend Marty) make some terrible decisions. It’s easier to understand her choices as the book goes on and you start to understand truly what Jolene is facing at home and what she stands to lose. Kids probably won’t be bothered by this, though, and the overall messages of the book are very positive. Jolene eventually learns that she shouldn’t give up on people, but she can and should get help when she needs it.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Across the Desert is a captivating survival story about not giving up on someone who needs you. Jolene feels helpless in her home life—ever since a serious accident, she constantly skates the boundaries of a panic attack while her mom grows more and more neglectful and dependent on painkillers. All Jolene can do is try to hold things together well enough so she can hide the fact that her world is on the brink of disaster. The last thing she wants is for social services to take her away like they did her friend. So, when Jolene witnesses another accident and no one seems to believe her, she decides that this time she will take matters into her own hands. She can’t sit still and do nothing. Jolene sets off on a trek across the desert to save her friend—but the journey is fraught with complications and near-disasters. I’ll admit that I sometimes had to let go of the fact that Jolene (and eventually her new friend Marty) make some terrible decisions. It’s easier to understand her choices as the book goes on and you start to understand truly what Jolene is facing at home and what she stands to lose. Kids probably won’t be bothered by this, though, and the overall messages of the book are very positive. Jolene eventually learns that she shouldn’t give up on people, but she can and should get help when she needs it.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
September 17, 2025
Marty honestly makes this book for me...lol...She's the best💖😂
Language: A few uses of h*ck, d*rn, and g*sh. A teenager says 'cuss' as an alternate for cuss words.
Violence: Some scrap3s and bruises. Vague mentions of blood but nit described, just that characters were bleeding, nothing beyond that. Broken limbs, not described. Mentions that characters died from drug overdoses off page.
Magic: N/A.
(Other: Jolene's mom is a drug addict, we see scenes where she takes pills on page but nothing else. There are scenes where people are worried about Jolene meeting someone she met alone because they say it could be a predator wanting to prey on little girls.)
This was a bittersweet and enjoyable story. Marty was my favorite character and quite possibly my favorite part of the book, if she wasn't in it this might have been a 3.5 star read rounded up, as it is Marty makes it a four💖 She was hilarious and very protective of Jolene, I loved that she had mom instincts towards Jolene even tho she was just a teenager. Jolene was good too, her emotional journey with dealing with her mom was very beautiful and her actual journey was fun and thrilling, if not comical on occasion.
I also liked Addie, she was sweet, she kind of reminded me of my BFF, minus the daredevil side...lol😜
Overall, an enjoyable read about bravery, exploring, and mindset.
10+ (would make a good discussion book)
Language: A few uses of h*ck, d*rn, and g*sh. A teenager says 'cuss' as an alternate for cuss words.
Violence: Some scrap3s and bruises. Vague mentions of blood but nit described, just that characters were bleeding, nothing beyond that. Broken limbs, not described. Mentions that characters died from drug overdoses off page.
Magic: N/A.
(Other: Jolene's mom is a drug addict, we see scenes where she takes pills on page but nothing else. There are scenes where people are worried about Jolene meeting someone she met alone because they say it could be a predator wanting to prey on little girls.)
This was a bittersweet and enjoyable story. Marty was my favorite character and quite possibly my favorite part of the book, if she wasn't in it this might have been a 3.5 star read rounded up, as it is Marty makes it a four💖 She was hilarious and very protective of Jolene, I loved that she had mom instincts towards Jolene even tho she was just a teenager. Jolene was good too, her emotional journey with dealing with her mom was very beautiful and her actual journey was fun and thrilling, if not comical on occasion.
I also liked Addie, she was sweet, she kind of reminded me of my BFF, minus the daredevil side...lol😜
Overall, an enjoyable read about bravery, exploring, and mindset.
10+ (would make a good discussion book)
August 9, 2022
Audiobook with my 15 year old. We both loved it.
Parents should be aware that opioid addiction is a major topic broached in this book. It’s done with both truth and compassion, but it should be a conversation to have. Kids will definitely have questions. If parents would like to learn more themselves, I highly recommend Dopesick by Beth Macy. Dopesick is not for kids, but a deep dive by a journalist into how opioid addiction came to crisis level here in America but especially rural Appalachia and it explores the utter destruction it levels on individuals, families, and communities.
As for the story, it was gripping in every way. It’s a book you’ll want to fly through just to know what happens next. My daughter and I were hooked from beginning to end.
Parents should be aware that opioid addiction is a major topic broached in this book. It’s done with both truth and compassion, but it should be a conversation to have. Kids will definitely have questions. If parents would like to learn more themselves, I highly recommend Dopesick by Beth Macy. Dopesick is not for kids, but a deep dive by a journalist into how opioid addiction came to crisis level here in America but especially rural Appalachia and it explores the utter destruction it levels on individuals, families, and communities.
As for the story, it was gripping in every way. It’s a book you’ll want to fly through just to know what happens next. My daughter and I were hooked from beginning to end.
October 23, 2021
I don't want to put too much pressure on author Dusti Bowling. But with Gary Paulsen gone and not able to give us more of his edge-of-the-seat books, we need other authors to help fill the giant gap he left. I nominate Dusti Bowling as one of those authors. ACROSS THE DESERT is an action-packed, fast-paced, great-characterization survival story. Both physical survival in the steamy, unforgiving desert to find a young ultralight plane pilot who "may" have crashed and emotional survival as the daughter of an opioid addict. Dusti Bowling has written another unputdownable book with giant KID-APPEAL!
March 23, 2022
in most reviews i write, i will tell you that the book put me in tears when i'm finished. this is my judgement of a good book- my 3 criteria being 1. did it make me cry? 2. how were the characters/character development? and 3. how long did I think about it after reading?
this book checked off every single one of these boxes for me. (most importantly, the waterworks one.) i read this book, admittedly, a little fast. i picked it off the shelf because i was in the mood for an adventure book. yet it quickly became so much more than that. this book displays such beautifully written characters. matty, with her hilarious, kind and helpful self. addie with her fearless, bold, and courageous nature. and finally, jolene. jolene made me stick with this book. she was so incredibly brave. at 12. she faced all of her biggest fears in this book and came back out alive, even after all of it.
when i picked this book up off of the shelf, i checked it out and then i was warned that there was a character that struggled with substance abuse in this book. immediately this told me "this is probably not the book for you." to be fatally honest, this theme hits a little too close to home. i opened the book and immediately saw the dedication and nearly cried. this part of my past happened long ago, but as i watched jolene struggle with things i knew well and dear, it made me connect with her even more.
so i'd recommend this book to middle school kids for sure. i think the writing may be too mature for elementary, but not mature enough for highschoolers. this books gives kids an opportunity to learn about something that most kids never have to. and with that, i also recommend this book to children of addicts. you might find comfort in these pages. the very end and the authors note held me closer than most other books ever will.
9/10
this book checked off every single one of these boxes for me. (most importantly, the waterworks one.) i read this book, admittedly, a little fast. i picked it off the shelf because i was in the mood for an adventure book. yet it quickly became so much more than that. this book displays such beautifully written characters. matty, with her hilarious, kind and helpful self. addie with her fearless, bold, and courageous nature. and finally, jolene. jolene made me stick with this book. she was so incredibly brave. at 12. she faced all of her biggest fears in this book and came back out alive, even after all of it.
when i picked this book up off of the shelf, i checked it out and then i was warned that there was a character that struggled with substance abuse in this book. immediately this told me "this is probably not the book for you." to be fatally honest, this theme hits a little too close to home. i opened the book and immediately saw the dedication and nearly cried. this part of my past happened long ago, but as i watched jolene struggle with things i knew well and dear, it made me connect with her even more.
so i'd recommend this book to middle school kids for sure. i think the writing may be too mature for elementary, but not mature enough for highschoolers. this books gives kids an opportunity to learn about something that most kids never have to. and with that, i also recommend this book to children of addicts. you might find comfort in these pages. the very end and the authors note held me closer than most other books ever will.
9/10
March 18, 2022
In this middle-grade book is an adventure-filled survival story that also covers some hard topics such as bullying, opioid addiction and vulnerable people who slip through the cracks. It also celebrates several strong women in history, which I love!
The desert setting is unique and Jolene is a protagonist that you can't help but root for. I really appreciate how the book delves deep into social issues (e.g. drug addiction: showing how people find themselves trapped in the cycle and how sometimes we fail to help those who are most in need).
I wasn't as absorbed into Jolene's journey in the middle of the book when she was alone, However, I love all the characters as well as the friendship and solidarity that they share. Jolene's strength and determination is admirable, but I'm glad to see her finally get the help that her family needed.
Favourite quotes:
✨ "Right now, in this moment, I am Wanda Rutkiewicz, climbing K2. I am Lucy Walker, nearing the top of the Matterhorn. I am Junko Tabei, submitting Mount Everest. They are all with me, puhing me, giving me their strength."
✨ "Because sometimes, in order to do what's hardest, the most important thing you need is simply knowing there's someone who believes you can do it."
The desert setting is unique and Jolene is a protagonist that you can't help but root for. I really appreciate how the book delves deep into social issues (e.g. drug addiction: showing how people find themselves trapped in the cycle and how sometimes we fail to help those who are most in need).
I wasn't as absorbed into Jolene's journey in the middle of the book when she was alone, However, I love all the characters as well as the friendship and solidarity that they share. Jolene's strength and determination is admirable, but I'm glad to see her finally get the help that her family needed.
Favourite quotes:
✨ "Right now, in this moment, I am Wanda Rutkiewicz, climbing K2. I am Lucy Walker, nearing the top of the Matterhorn. I am Junko Tabei, submitting Mount Everest. They are all with me, puhing me, giving me their strength."
✨ "Because sometimes, in order to do what's hardest, the most important thing you need is simply knowing there's someone who believes you can do it."
November 30, 2025
This was from a recent haul from Bookoutlet, recommended to me by a friend, Kate Willis.
This is the second book I've read by Dusti Bowling, the first one being The Canyon's Edge, which was really good! I love a good desert survival story, and Across the Desert delivered just that.
It was impossible not to feel for the MC, Jolene, and root for a happy ending for her and her mom. Even though drug use and addiction are important plot points in the story, they were handled in a tactful way for middle-grade audiences.
There was some obvious fake cursing, which I didn't care for much.
All in all, an exciting and heartfelt story from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
This is the second book I've read by Dusti Bowling, the first one being The Canyon's Edge, which was really good! I love a good desert survival story, and Across the Desert delivered just that.
It was impossible not to feel for the MC, Jolene, and root for a happy ending for her and her mom. Even though drug use and addiction are important plot points in the story, they were handled in a tactful way for middle-grade audiences.
There was some obvious fake cursing, which I didn't care for much.
All in all, an exciting and heartfelt story from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
March 13, 2022
I think Dusti Bowling is my favorite middle grade writer. Her ability to write so openly and honestly about real struggles, mental health, addictions, and vulnerability AND make it easily accessible, is impressive. I found myself crying and thinking about my own life and decisions I’ve made, or haven’t made. About what bravery means.
Two favorite quotes:
“I don’t know if we’ll be able to do it either. But I do know that a lot of people have done a lot of things that seemed impossible to the rest of the world. And maybe to themselves. This feels impossible now, but you never know what’s truly possible until you do it.”
“Maybe I won’t ever be able to stop bad thoughts from coming, but I can come up with new ways to answer them.”
My other favorite because I love Marty and I laughed out loud:
“Curse and swear and all the bad words!” 😂🤣
Two favorite quotes:
“I don’t know if we’ll be able to do it either. But I do know that a lot of people have done a lot of things that seemed impossible to the rest of the world. And maybe to themselves. This feels impossible now, but you never know what’s truly possible until you do it.”
“Maybe I won’t ever be able to stop bad thoughts from coming, but I can come up with new ways to answer them.”
My other favorite because I love Marty and I laughed out loud:
“Curse and swear and all the bad words!” 😂🤣
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